A coalition of Crown Point churches have joined forces to rehab a house for a lucky Habitat for Humanity family.
Representatives from St. Mary Catholic, First Presbyterian and First Methodist churches met at the house in the 1800 block of 58th Avenue Thursday afternoon to sign a letter of intent toward their efforts. They took in the sights and smells of the structurally sound, but badly neglected house and are looking forward not only to getting in there and working, but showing all Northwest Indiana’s faith organizations how it’s done.
Glen Kirk, First Presbyterian’s Mission Group moderator, approached Habitat’s Volunteer Coordinator Gina Bell about a month ago asking how the church could get involved, Bell said.
Shortly after that, Habitat leaders attended the not-for-profit’s annual international conference in Atlanta, and one breakout session Program Coordinator Kristin Marlow-Kellemen attended focused on working with faith-based operations, she said.
“When (the organization) reaches out, the lion’s share of the response is already church-based,” Marlow-Kellemen said. “So if one church provides a lot of help, together, they can bank all their resources and will be able to work together because of their strength.”
First Presbyterian, for example, is the smallest of the three churches and also has an aging population, so perhaps they can work on providing the food and other running around for the other voulnteers, Kellemen said.
Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana Executive Director Dan Klein said he’s seen the City of Crown Point become more welcoming in recent years, so the partnership wasn’t necessarily surprising and very welcome.
“You guys will be setting an example for all the other churches,” said Bell.
Sister Joannmarie Schutz, SSCM, with St. Mary’s Habitat Ministry Leader Bill Gates said they’re looking forward to working with the other congregations. With 70 to 75 members in its group, there will be lots of people getting to meet others.
“Those stories will connect us forever,” Schutz said. “Together, we will be transforming this house, and that’s a great example of Jesus.”
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter.