Christian partnership—an interview with the founders of Habitat for Humanity

Part two

Geraldine Schiering with contributions from Millard Fuller, Linda Fuller

Habitat for Humanity began in Americus, Georgia, in 1976, an idea that developed in the lives of its founders. Millard and Linda Fuller. A nondenominational Christian program, Habitat builds homes and shelters for those in need, enabling them to be homeowners through long-term, no-interest loans. A unique aspect of Habitat is that most of the construction work is done by volunteers, rich and poor, who pound the nails side by side with the new homeowners. Now, Habitat for Humanity International is building homes in more than a thousand communities in forty countries around the world. Recently, contributing editor Geraldine Schiering had an opportunity to interview the Fullers. Part one of this interview, which appeared in last week's Sentinel, focused on the importance of "partnership" relationships, the roots of Habitat in its founders' own lives, and reliance on God for resources. In this second half of the interview, the Fullers discuss the Christian demand for the rich to help the less fortunate and also take a fresh look at the idea of ecumenical service.

Geri Schiering: In your books, Millard, you describe how your conscience was raised in regard to helping the poor—that this was something you had to learn.

Millard Fuller: Yes. Out of my childhood training, I had a certain general idea of what it meant to be a good Christian. You go to church, you may even go to every function. You read your Bible and are able to quote from it. Being a good Christian meant being sincere and taking your place within the organized activities of the church institution. The concept of social responsibility for the community wasn't there. I've had people ask me, "What has building houses got to do with being a Christian?" My answer is, "It's got everything to do with being a Christian."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Making peace with our childhood