Dane County Faith Partners

Habitat for Humanity of Dane County was formed in 1987 by members of St. John's Lutheran Church in Oregon and the Catholic parish of Holy Mother of Consolation Church in Brooklyn. In our 21 year history, individual members of local faith communities have formed the foundation of Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, providing valuable financial, volunteer and prayer support. Although founded by Christians, HFHDC is non-denominational, and welcomes partnerships with all communities of faith, as well as corporate and individual support.

Apostles Build I
HFHDC launched its first Apostles Build project in September 2005 with 10 churches of various denominations. The home was dedicated in June 2006 with a house blessing ceremony for the Severson Family. The following churches helped construct the first Apostles Build: Bethel Lutheran Church, Blackhawk Evangelical Church, Christ Lutheran Church - DeForest, Crossroads Church, Crossroads United Methodist Church, Divine Savior United Methodist Church, Door Creek, First United Methodist Church, Monona United Methodist and St. Luke's Lutheran Church.

Apostles Build II
Apostles Build II began in the Fall 2006 and completed construction of the Sia Xiong home on Kanazawa Circle in the Spring 2007. The Apostles Build II churches are: Bethany United Methodist, Blackhawk Evangelical, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Covenant Presbyterian, Door Creek, First Presbyterian - Waunakee, First United Methodist, Monona United Methodist, St. Andrew Catholic Parish and St. William Catholic Parish.

In an Apostles Build project, churches come together to raise the money and to provide the labor and prayer support to build a Habitat for Humanity house. The idea of going out into the community to serve others, in the way that Jesus’ apostles served, has attracted individuals in many churches. With Habitat for Humanity, churches can share God’s love by building houses.

Building a house gives members of a congregation a concrete way to put their faith into action. An Apostles Build project also has the potential to build community among churches that have never worked together before.

Specifically, Apostles Build churches are responsible for:

• Educating their congregations on the ministry of Habitat for Humanity and on this build.
• Funding the house construction through cash and in-kind contributions.
• Providing construction volunteers in proportion to a church's financial contribution.
• Providing lunches to construction crews.
• Providing a site host on workdays.
• Providing morning devotions on workdays.
• Supporting the partner family (provide babysitting, scrapbook, etc.).
• Praying for the build and the partner family.
• Providing appropriate celebrations for the build (e.g., First Nail and House Blessing).

Habitat is founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent, affordable place to live in dignity and safety.Habitat has an open-door policy: All who desire to be a part of this work are welcome, regardless of religious preference or background. Habitat for Humanity has always had a policy of building with people in need regardless of race or religion, and we welcome volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds.

The work of Habitat for Humanity is driven by the desire to give tangible expression to the love of God through the work of eliminating poverty housing. Habitat's mission and methods are predominantly derived from a few key theological concepts: the necessity of putting faith into action, the "economics of Jesus" and the "theology of the hammer."

Habitat's ministry is based on the conviction that to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ we must reflect Christ's love in our own lives by loving and caring for one another. Our love must not be words only—it must be true love, which shows itself in action. Habitat provides an opportunity for people to put their faith and love into action, bringing diverse groups of people together to make affordable housing and better communities a reality for everyone.

Habitat is a partnership founded on common ground—bridging theological differences by putting love into action. Everyone can use the hammer as an instrument to manifest God's love. Habitat founder Millard Fuller called this concept "the theology of the hammer," explaining, "We may disagree on all sorts of other things ... but we can agree on the idea of building homes with God's people in need, and in doing so using biblical economics: no profit and no interest."

"The Bible teaches that God is the God of the whole crowd," explained Fuller. "God's love leaves nobody out, and my love should not either. This understanding drives 'the theology of the hammer' around the world, steadily building more and more houses in more and more countries."

Individual and Combined Sponsorships

2004 - First United Methodist: Cantu de Leon Family
2005 – Bethel Lutheran: Stuntebeck Family
2006 – Asbury UMC: Munishi Family
2006 – Spirit Build: Blazek Family

• Good Shepherd Lutheran
• Orchard Ridge UCC

2007 - Madison Episcopal Community: Sorensen Family

• Grace
• St. Andrew’s
• St. Dunstan’s
• St. Luke’s

2007 - First Congregational UCC: Brooks-Hall Family
2007 – Christ Presbyterian: Gemado/Ereso Family

Thrivent Builds

Through Thrivent Builds Homes, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has committed $125 million over 4 years to build Habitat for Humanity homes in the United States by combining the efforts of millions of Thrivent Financial members with Lutheran congregations and institutions, communities, partner families and Habitat affiliates. More than two-thirds of the funding for each home will be contributed by Thrivent Financial, its members and local chapters. The remaining funding will be raised through the ongoing efforts of local Lutheran congregations and Habitat affiliates.

In addition, many Habitat affiliates commit a portion of funds raised to support building Habitat homes in other countries. International donations from Thrivent Builds Homes contributions will allow up to 500 additional homes to be constructed around the world.

Thrivent Builds Homes has sponsored 11 homes in Dane County over the last 3 years:

2006 – Mt. Vernon: Doble Family
2006 – Oregon: Brady Family
2006 – Stoughton: Rios Family
2007 – Oregon: Skolaski Family
2007 – Sun Prairie Triplex:

Ellis Family
Perfetti-Sanchez Family
Thomas/Correa-Lara Family

2007 - Twin Oaks: Vue/Vang Family
2008 – Deerfield
2008 – Stoughton: Danz Family
2008 Women Build – Twin Oaks: Kalisa/Uwamahoro Family

House for a House Campaign

Habitat for Humanity of Dane County works to build at least one house internationally for every house we build in Dane County. So far, HFHDC has sponsored 120 homes internationally. These donations have been made based upon the biblical principle of tithing.

The Habitat for Humanity International Tithe program encourages Habitat for Humanity affiliates donate to further Habitat's work in other countries. The concept follows an ancient Biblical tradition in which God asked Israel to sacrifice the first crops of the harvest, trusting that the remainder would be enough to carry them throughout the rest of the year. In exchange for this act of faith was a promise of provision.

This promise, as well as Jesus' instructions to care of our neighbors, makes tithing a natural component of Habitat's Christian identity. In essence, it is an act of faith.