'Arise and Do'
- By Millard Fuller -

The goal God has given Habitat for Humanity to eliminate substandard housing worldwide is a difficult task because the problem is so massive. Millions of people live in despicable hovels. Millions more have no place to live at all. Even so, we must not despair. There is hope in God's word which assures us that with Him all things are possible.

God is with us, just as God was with Solomon in building the temple. But our human effort is essential to achieve the desired result of no more shacks.

What is needed to accomplish our task exists. We simply must claim those resources in the name of the Lord and keep moving boldly ahead. Furthermore, God has a way of multiplying small resources into enough to do the job.

We must be diligent and creative in promoting our cause. Special events, such as walks, bicycle rides, blitz builds and benefit concerts, help motivate people to volunteer, donate or help in other ways.

Some special events have specific purposes. "Building on Faith Week," for example, highlights our Christian roots and the strong spiritual motivation behind the movement of Habitat for Humanity. During one week in September (leading up to the third Sunday of the month) we urge churches and other religious institutions worldwide to emphasize shelter as a human need, to be met and fulfilled by God's love in action. Local Habitat affiliates all over the world form partnerships with churches to build hundreds of houses.

The "21st Century Challenge" is a new program that promotes setting a date for ending poverty housing in a given local area. Dozens of communities in the United States are already working toward setting a date to end poverty housing.

I urgently ask that you join in the growing movement to end poverty housing and homelessness. God has called us. All that is needed for the task can be found with diligence and determination.

So, arise and be doing, and the Lord be with you!


Millard Fuller is the founder and president of Habitat for Humanity International.


Reprinted from Habitat World Magazine, August/September, 1999.
This article may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
©1999 Habitat for Humanity International