Churches Work Together To Build Habitat Home

Brandon and Misty Woodell bow their heads in prayer Nov. 27 with their children Brianna, 10, left, Cody, 7, Calyssa, 4, and Desirae, 19 months, during the dedication of their new Habitat for Humanity home in Bentonville. The 1,260-square-foot house was built with the help of 14 area churches.
Brandon and Misty Woodell bow their heads in prayer Nov. 27 with their children Brianna, 10, left, Cody, 7, Calyssa, 4, and Desirae, 19 months, during the dedication of their new Habitat for Humanity home in Bentonville. The 1,260-square-foot house was built with the help of 14 area churches.

“Being able to spend Christmas together in a new home is a dream come true,” said Misty Woodell of Bentonville.

Woodell, her husband, Brandon, and their four children spent the first night in their new home Nov. 28, one day after it was presented to them in a dedication ceremony. The home was built by Benton County churches during the second Apostles Build for Habitat for Humanity of Benton County. The Woodells plan to buy a Christmas tree and decorate soon, she said.

Apostles Build brings together area churches to contribute money, time, labor, meals and prayerduring the construction of one home each year, said David Hutchens, secretaryand church relations chairman for Habitat for Humanity of Benton County.

The goal for each Benton County build initially was to fi nd 12 churches, as there were 12 apostles, to contribute $6,000, for a total of $72,000, in addition to the volunteer hours. “As we got into the program several wanted to join, but weren’t able to contribute $6,000,” he said. “We thought we shouldn’t exclude a church just because they couldn’t contribute $6,000.”

Fourteen churches fromeight denominations contributed to this build. Benton County churches have previously helped build homes for people in the county, but the program wasn’t consistent, Hutchens said.

“If the churches did not come together, it’s very possible we would not have a fall build,” said Debby Wieneke, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Benton County. “It’s critical to add churches each yearso there won’t be such a burden on so few.”

The Woodells’ home is the 68th Habitat for Humanity build in Benton County.

“I think the best thing is knowing we have a secure place to live,” Woodell said of being chosen for the home.

The family of six moved from a three-bedroom duplex, which they were outgrowing, to the 1,260-square-foot home. The duplex also had problems with its flooring and electrical system, she said.

The church volunteers weren’t the only ones helping with the build. The Woodells worked on the house, too. All recipients of Habitat for Humanity homesare required to help with the build.

“When our children are grown, they will be able to tell their children ‘I built this house,’” Woodell said.

Hutchens said the organization helps people by allowing them to help themselves.

“It’s an excellent way to help people with a hand up and not a hand out,” Hutchens said of the program. “It’s an opportunity that will change their lives.”

Church of the Nazarene in Bentonville participated in this year’s build, a first for the church and its pastor, Mark Snodgrass.

“We wanted to be involved in something that allows us to partner with other churches,” he said. “When we work together on things, it fulfi lls what we are called to be.”

“Churches just need to come together and put aside theological differences and make these projects happen,” he added. “I’ve found the differences we have as denominations, they are really minimal. There is certainly more we agree on than what we disagree on.”

Bentonville Church of the Nazarene contributed $3,000 this year in addition to time, food and prayers. Part of their monetary contribution came from a portion of the off ering at the community Easter sunrise service at Orchards Park in Bentonville, Snodgrass said.

“My conversations and relationship with (Rex Dickey, pastor of First United Methodist in Bentonville), is part of what got us involved.They invited us to be part of the community Easter service back in the spring. They took up an off ering at the service and the whole off ering went to the Apostles Build. They allowed half that to be credited in our name,” Snodgrass said. “They did the lion’s share of work to make that service happen. That was a really nice gesture on their part. It really spurred us to be a part of (the Apostles Build).”

Woodell and her family attend church in Bentonville, but not at any of the churches involved with the build.

“It makes me feel very excited that the community is getting involved, regardless of religion or title on door. We all serve one God,” Woodell said. “It’s good to see the community get together and help. To me that’s what a Christian is supposed to do. It’s good to see that practice in the community.”

Religion, Pages 8 on 12/08/2012

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