Building on a Firm Foundation
The partnerships that Heartland Habitat for Humanity forms with faith communities are special because they represent a shared ministry — serving God’s people in need. As an ecumenical Christian ministry, Heartland Habitat's first mission is to demonstrate the love and teachings of Jesus Christ. Heartland Habitat welcomes all people, regardless of race, religious preference or background. By working together to provide safe, decent, affordable housing for deserving individuals and families, Heartland Habitat for Humanity gives tangible expression to God’s universal love. To read more about the biblical principles Habitat for Humanity is based on, click here.
Partnership Benefits
Partnering with Heartland Habitat for Humanity will make a difference! Lives will be changed and so will your congregation. 
Faith communities who currently collaborate with Heartland Habitat have found that these partnerships:
- Provide an opportunity to put faith into action and see tangible results.
- Lead many people to grow spiritually.
- Unite and bond current congregation members and often attract new members.
- Establish recognition and a positive identity in the community.
- Direct contributions to local citizens through a respected nonprofit that spends 84 percent on program (June 2009).
Partnership Opportunities
Faith communities of any size can partner with Heartland Habitat for Humanity in a variety of ways:
- Ask your congregation to pray for the ministry of Heartland Habitat and its partner families. Templates for bulletin inserts are available upon request.
- Lead prayers at ground blessings, build sites or house dedications.
- Set aside one day a year to draw attention to the need for safe, affordable, decent housing. A Heartland Habitat for Humanity representative could make a brief presentation to your congregation or could set up an information table to help raise awareness and answer questions.
Serve
- Serve on a build site. Click here for construction and non-construction opportunities.
- Volunteer at Heartland Habitat for Humanity ReStore, located at 520 S. 55th St. in Kansas City, Kansas. ReStore sells new and used building materials, tools, appliances, furniture, and more. Hours are Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Serve as a family or neighborhood advocate. Become a family partner or part of a family support group to assist and encourage new homeowners. Help clean up and make exterior repairs to neighboring houses.
- Join the Faith Relations Committee or one of Heartland Habitat for Humanity's other committees. Click here for more info.
- Engage groups of children or young adults by collecting items for homeowners, building furniture and other items that Heartland Habitat can sell at ReStore, raising funds, or ordering "Under Construction," Habitat for Humanity International’s Vacation Bible School program. Click here for more ideas on how youth can get involved with Heartland Habitat.
- Join Heartland Habitat for Building on Faith, a week each year dedicated to engaging faith communities in short-term service.
Donate
- Invite a Heartland Habitat representative to speak to your congregation or its leaders.
- Display Heartland Habitat information in your church and at other ministry sites, such as a food pantry.
- Allow Heartland Habitat to use meeting rooms or social halls for gatherings or events.
- Donated goods and services are always needed—and appreciated. Donations may be tax deductible.
- Pledge to donate unrestricted funds to Heartland Habitat for Humanity every year.
- Sponsor a house by providing funding an labor. Your faith community can sponsor an entire house, join with other faith communities in a coalition sponsorship, or donate funds and labor for part of a house (such as roofing, landscaping, or painting).
As Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller often said, "It's not just about building houses, it's about helping to build God's kingdom here on earth." Discover what God, your faith community and Heartland Habitat for Humanity can do together!
For more information, contact Julie Gurnon, Faith Relations Coordinator, at (913) 342-3047, (816) 468-7190 or julie@heartlandhabitat.org.