Indiana—On Sunday, Aug. 13, members of the Evansville First Seventh-day Adventist Church joined members of ten other local congregations and The Potter’s Wheel, a faith-based ministry, for "How Firm a Foundation," a special service hosted by members of the First Baptist Church.

As everyone gathered, they were reminded in prayers, songs, and speeches about the monumental task before them—Habitat for Humanity of Evansville's first ever Apostle Build*—a project that would unite the groups as they built a home for Patricia Richardson, a member of their community and a school social worker at Washington Middle School. Richardson will share the home with her two children.

The Evansville First Church pastor, Bela Kobor, opened the service with prayer. Another Evansville First Church member, Joseph Choi, led a multi-church choir with more than 70 singers during the program. Choi is principal conductor of the Evansville Philharmonic Chorus. Also present was Jim Prickett, a "founding father" of the national Habitat for Humanity program. Attendees learned that Evansville has one of the strongest Habitat for Humanity programs in the country.

The Evansville Courier & Press quoted Sister Jane Michele McClure, Habitat for Humanity of Evansville’s development director, who said, “Part of the essence of the [Habitat] ministry is to bring people together.

"A lot of the churches are very engaged in mission work overseas, but they loved the idea of helping a family right here in our community,” she said.

Each church contributed an equal share toward the $47,500 sponsorship cost, and The Potter’s Wheel contributed an in-kind donation by providing food during work sessions.

Habitat for Humanity of Evansville's goal is to eliminate poverty housing in Evansville, a community with nearly 18,000 persons who live in poverty. Since 1984, more than 18,000 volunteers have built more than 284 houses in Evansville.

Richardson and families like hers who benefit from a Habitat for Humanity home contribute 300 hours of “sweat equity” toward construction.

Groundbreaking for Richardson’s house took place on Aug. 26. Twelve build dates were scheduled on subsequent Saturdays, except Labor Day weekend. The Adventists installed drywall, which is usually hired out, during the week instead of participating on the Saturday build dates.

The anticipated dedication service was scheduled for the last Saturday of October. Evansville First Church member Debbie Burns, official photographer of the Apostle Build and dedication service coordinator, provided photo CDs for each church and two photo memory books, one for Habitat for Humanity and the other for the Richardsons. The books were signed by everyone who worked on the home.

The Evansville Courier & Press plans to feature a news story about the Adventists' involvement in the project since they didn't build on Saturday. The church's pastor said, "We are honored to be a part of such a unique commitment to our community with this Habitat Apostle Build. We have already had several opportunities to share our faith and beliefs with others....

"Habitat for Humanity soon will begin work on New Haven, a subdivision for the survivors of the deadly tornado that ripped through our community last Nov. 6, 2005, and left 25 people killed. We hope to be a part of this project as well."

Diane Thurber, Lake Union Herald managing editor, with Debbie Burns and Diane Kobor, Evansville First Church members

*Apostle Build provides congregations, which seek to build a Habitat home but lack the fiscal or physical means to sponsor an entire home, the opportunity to participate with a community of churches on a building project. Twelve churches or faith groups team to sponsor an Apostle Build. Contact your local Habitat for Humanity office for more information.