By Gary Lloyd
TRUSSVILLE — More than 300 volunteers, representing 19 congregations from across the Birmingham area, have joined together during Lent with a focus on giving back to the community and helping others in need.
Building on Faith is a house-building event, uniting congregations of various faiths together to build houses in partnership with local families. The rehabilitation of Darius Humphrey’s home on Debbie Drive in Trussville began Saturday.
The home is a property acquired through a nationwide partnership with Bank of America to rehabilitate vacant properties and match them with homeowners. Humphrey and his brother, Curtis, are excited to move into their new home. It will be dedicated on Good Friday, April 18, when the Humphrey brothers will receive their keys.
“This is a dream come true for me and my brother,” Humphrey said. “This is the beginning of becoming independent, hard working, responsible and productive young men. Thank you for helping us buy a home of our own.”
Also on Saturday, construction began on Vernon Street in Birmingham near Old Springville Road in the Grayson Valley area. The home is for Jennifer Chine, done in partnership with Thrivent Builds. The home will be dedicated on Saturday, April 12. The home is in the same neighborhood, Vernon Glen, as where the 2012 Home Builders Blitz took place.
Chine is attending Lawson State Community College, pursuing a degree in child care.
“Owning a home will be such a great blessing and opportunity,” Chine said. “I am so grateful for this — words cannot express what this means to me.”
Greater Birmingham Habitat for Humanity President and CEO Charles Moore said Building on Faith gives congregations an opportunity to reach ministry and home missions goals by offering people a way to share God’s love and lead people to grow in their faith.
“It is a tangible way for church members to put their faith into action, and reach beyond the walls of the church to serve others,” Moore said.
Participating churches include: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Cathedral Church of the Advent, CrossPoint Church, Episcopal Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles, First Wesleyan Church of Anniston, Holy Infant of Prague Catholic Church, Independent Presbyterian Church, Integrity Baptist Church, Liberty Crossings United Methodist Church, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, Riverchase United Methodist Church, St. Bede’s Anglican Church, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, St. Thomas Episcopal Church and Trinity United Methodist Church.
Established in 1987, Greater Birmingham Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry serving Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair and Walker counties.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.