Carpenters for Christ began working with Habitat in 1996.

Partnership With Church Benefits 100 Texas Families

In 2006, Highland Park United Methodist Church's Carpenters for Christ will complete six houses in the Dallas, Texas, area, just as they did last year and plan to do for at least the next 10 years.

Highland Park UMC and Carpenters for Christ's commitment of $5.5 million to the Dallas Area Habitat's More Than Houses campaign placed them firmly in Habitat's Cornerstone Society, and at the top of all commitments from a church. "We have truly been blessed by the donation and by all involved," said Connie Boyd, senior director of development, marketing and communications for the Dallas affiliate.

Carpenters for Christ has become a force in the fight against substandard housing in its community, and a major supporter of the Dallas affiliate. The group is in the process of building its 42nd house, and has committed to build 100 houses by 2016, the 100th anniversary of the church's founding.

And after that goal is met, they'll build more.

"You have a goal only to exceed it," said Joe B. Fortson, volunteer staff liaison for Carpenters for Christ. "The spirit (of the 100-houses goal) is to do this through 100 houses and have the joy of recommitting to another goal."

The group's commitment to this organization began in 1996, when some church members built a house with Habitat. Building continued after that house was completed and became a regular ministry. By 2000, when Highland Park's senior minister Mark Craig met with Habitat leadership, the group had adopted the name "Carpenters for Christ" and was looking for a building goal. The commitment to build 100 houses came out of that meeting.

"Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity is elated by the commitment, passion and servant leadership displayed by Mark Craig and Highland Park UMC's Carpenters for Christ in their 100-houses-in-10-years agreement," Boyd said. "The outright generosity of the gift has served as a catalyst for numerous other gifts in our community."

Carpenters for Christ builds only new houses, one at a time, and only with Habitat. Fortson estimates that 500 different people help build each year, with volunteers donating approximately 10,000 hours a year.

That dedication to Habitat has paid off--more than 40 families in the Dallas area have their own homes because of it.

"These homes are occupied by families that become centered on higher goals than they would have been before," Fortson said. "These kids are making better grades, choosing good friends and going to college."

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