An immense symbol of faith in Cochabamba, Bolivia, El Cristo de la Concordia's open arms welcome one and all.

Building on Faith Week:
A Sermon of Love


Since 1995, Habitat for Humanity International has celebrated its church partnerships with Building on Faith week, which occurs worldwide the week preceding the third Sunday in September. The scripture focus for this year's event, Sept. 15-21, is "Let Your Light Shine."

Throughout the United States and around the world, Habitat affiliates celebrate their faith-community partnerships through special builds, ceremonies and other activities, including communitywide services of thanksgiving. While Christian church congregations always have comprised the cornerstone of Habitat's support, Building on Faith week underscores the importance of participation from all faith groups--because Habitat's mission to eliminate substandard housing relies on everyone's involvement.

"Affiliates worldwide have come to see this September event as a key to their success," says Pam Campbell, HFHI's Church Relations educational officer. "It's a rallying point for the community and for churches."

Not only does the week present an opportunity for individuals and groups to put their faith into action, but it raises public awareness by spotlighting the importance of decent shelter. To capitalize on this, HFHI works with affiliates to provide various materials they can share with local faith groups and church congregations. "Building on Faith week allows people of faith to be a part of a global sermon of God's love," says Campbell.

During this year's BOF week, which culminates with the International Day of Prayer and Action for Human Habitat, Habitat affiliates will work on hundreds of houses around the world.

For information about how you can get involved in Building on Faith this year, please call Rebecca Hix, HFHI's associate director for U.S. Church Relations, at (800) 241-0285, ext. 17, or e-mail her at rhix@ hfhi.org. Read more about Building on Faith at http://habitat.org/cr/bof.html.

--Shawn Reeves