Come join the ministry of providing affordable housing for the working poor of our community

Every Saturday beginning August 23
6:30 AM to 2:00 PM

If you can help with lunch, click here
<List of Groups Bringing Lunch>

Christ Church-Lutheran and Habitat for Humanity

Christ Church - Lutheran began a ministry with Habitat for Humanity in 2000. Since that time our church has lead the Lutherans Building for Christ coalition consisting this year of seven Lutheran churches plus Concord Construction Company. We will start our ninth house on Saturday, August 23 in the town of Apache Junction.

What is Habitat for Humanity?

Habitat for Humanity is a well known faith based ministry, since 1976, working internationally to provide decent and affordable housing for the working poor. In the Valley our local HfH affiliate has built more than 375 houses in the last 12 years with the help of churches and businesses. Houses are built using volunteers to do the rough carpentry, roofing, drywall hanging, finish carpentry, painting and landscaping. We work along side of the future homeowners who have already put in 100 hours of “sweat equity.” During the build of their house they must put in 300 more hours to add to their qualifications for home ownership. First they must qualify by having a solid two year work history with an income between 30% and 65% of the Phoenix median income with a good credit record. Habitat carries their own zero down payment mortgages at zero per cent interest adjusting the term to produce a manageable monthly payment for the family.

How is the house paid for?

Our coalition collects the $85,000 sponsorship donation required for the material cost of the house from all of the member sponsors. Most contributions received are cash with many donors taking advantage of the State of Arizona’s Tax Credit program whereby a family can contribute up to $400 dollars per year and receive a reduction of their tax liability by the same amount in addition to taking a Federal Tax charitable deduction. In-kind contributions are also made by several members who are contractors who donate material and labor to accomplish the chores that the volunteers do not accomplish like, plumbing, air conditioning, cabinetry and the drywall tape and texture. Our house this fall will be built with the assistance of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans - Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity. In this partnership Thrivent provides most of the funding leaving a remainder of $13,640 for our coalition to raise.

What is the time frame for building the house?

This year’s house will require 15 weeks to complete with the coalition volunteers working every Saturday except holidays. Every coalition church has five members on site each week to get to know each other. A typical team size is about 30 to 35 volunteers, all required to be at least 16 with age 18 being required to run power tools, or work on the roof. Volunteer opportunities also exist for groups, or individuals from the sponsors to supply lunches for the crew. Here younger folks can help and become engaged in this ministry. A typical workday begins at 6:30 AM and ends after clean-up at 2:00 PM with lunch being served at 11:00 AM.

What skills do I need?

Volunteers are not required to know anything about building or supply any tools. Just come with a willing heart and the desire to show the face of Jesus to others in our community. There is a job for everyone and you will be instructed how to accomplish it with the tools provided. Just wear appropriate work clothes, close toed shoes and sunscreen for those sunny days.

Who can I contact with questions?

If you would like to know more, or sign-up for a particular day to volunteer, or to provide a lunch then please visit us on the patio between church services any Sunday during the season when we’re building, or by using this webpage. On the patio a representative will be there to answer your questions, receive a donation, or sign you up for a Saturday of working with the finest people you have ever met accomplishing a ministry that will leave you sore, but feeling good to see what you have accomplished.

How do I get to the job site?

Where: 1705 W. Mockingbird, Apache Junction (see directions following) When: 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM Saturday’s starting August 23, 2008 through December 6, 2008 Who: Homeowner - the Sonbanang family GENERAL DRIVING DIRECTIONS US 60 east to Ironwood, north roughly 2 3/4 miles (pass Southern, Broadway, Apache Trail, Superstition Blvd) to just north of Superstition Blvd. and turn back west on Mockingbird Street. The lot (1014) is on the south side of Ironwood, the third lot from the corner. You can do the same from the 202, exit at University which turns into Superstition Blvd. in Apache Junction. Then east 4 miles to Ironwood then north as listed above. Parking can be found on Mockingbird. Just stay clear of stop signs, fire hydrants, and driveways. Check AZ511.com (to get to the data quick follow these steps: Skip Intro, Roadway Conditions, Closures & Restrictions, select the area and data you want) for road construction updates, as there will be times the 101 south will be closed for car pool lane construction through Scottsdale, and the 60 and the 202 have occasional work for rubberized asphalt and other construction.