Faith
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church - Arlington, WA
by Gay & Diane Engelsen
It was with a bit of anxiousness that the leadership of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church contacted the ELCA to see if the Mission Builders organization might help its congregation connect two existing buildings with a new entryway and build a preschool addition here in Arlington, Washington.
Management and labor at minimum wage seemed too good to be true.
And who were these strangers we’d be entrusting with our half million dollar investment?
Our Mission Builder team didn’t remain strangers for long. They rolled up their sleeves and worked with us, ate with us, laughed with us, prayed with us, and in the process built not just a church building, but a vibrant and energized community of faith at Our Saviour’s.
Dennis Smith and his team of Mission Builders brought the people of Our Saviour’s
together and gave them confidence and ownership in the building of both a church and a church family. The Mission Builders mobilized and empowered our congregants, and when they left Arlington a powerful cadre of friends, builders and believers remained to complete the mission.
Dennis made it clear early on that the Mission Builders were not building the church for us, but with us. He modeled collegiality and encouraged the people of the congregation to problem solve and work together. Once they took ownership of the project, pride in watching its progress and enjoyment of one another’s company led the Our Saviour’s team to volunteer countless hours to maintain the momentum of the build. They called on one another to make use of each member’s knowledge and skills, and discovered how much talent they had in the aggregate.
Meanwhile, other church members worked behind the scenes. Meals were lovingly prepared and savored, daily sweets were anticipated and relished, coffee was brewed and quaffed, stories were told and retold, prayers were offered, and strength was received.
As parishioner Kathy Kjargaard explains, “The level of participation from our congregation was much greater than it would have been without the influence of the Mission Builders. It’s hard to find anyone who didn’t participate in one form or another. The sense of ownership is pervasive.”
By worshipping with Our Saviour’s the Mission Builders became part of the congregation too. Friendships were formed, experiences and light moments shared, and the bonds of our Christian faith strengthened.
The Mission Builders more than accomplished their mission in Arlington. We thank them every day for their contributions of help, example, fellowship and faith to the family of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.
Written by Gay and Diane Engelsen
Management and labor at minimum wage seemed too good to be true.
And who were these strangers we’d be entrusting with our half million dollar investment?
Our Mission Builder team didn’t remain strangers for long. They rolled up their sleeves and worked with us, ate with us, laughed with us, prayed with us, and in the process built not just a church building, but a vibrant and energized community of faith at Our Saviour’s.
Dennis Smith and his team of Mission Builders brought the people of Our Saviour’s
together and gave them confidence and ownership in the building of both a church and a church family. The Mission Builders mobilized and empowered our congregants, and when they left Arlington a powerful cadre of friends, builders and believers remained to complete the mission.
Dennis made it clear early on that the Mission Builders were not building the church for us, but with us. He modeled collegiality and encouraged the people of the congregation to problem solve and work together. Once they took ownership of the project, pride in watching its progress and enjoyment of one another’s company led the Our Saviour’s team to volunteer countless hours to maintain the momentum of the build. They called on one another to make use of each member’s knowledge and skills, and discovered how much talent they had in the aggregate.
Meanwhile, other church members worked behind the scenes. Meals were lovingly prepared and savored, daily sweets were anticipated and relished, coffee was brewed and quaffed, stories were told and retold, prayers were offered, and strength was received.
As parishioner Kathy Kjargaard explains, “The level of participation from our congregation was much greater than it would have been without the influence of the Mission Builders. It’s hard to find anyone who didn’t participate in one form or another. The sense of ownership is pervasive.”
By worshipping with Our Saviour’s the Mission Builders became part of the congregation too. Friendships were formed, experiences and light moments shared, and the bonds of our Christian faith strengthened.
The Mission Builders more than accomplished their mission in Arlington. We thank them every day for their contributions of help, example, fellowship and faith to the family of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.
Written by Gay and Diane Engelsen
The Mission of the Mission Builders
by Sue McPherson
Once out of a college dorm, or maybe the military, most adults don’t have the opportunity to live day and night in very close quarters with a group of other adults. Mission Builders, however, look forward to gathering their rolling homes all together in a church parking lot. Privacy is minimal; secrets are few. While this may sound at first like a pretty scary idea, for me it was more like going to the perfect summer camp. To live and work daily - and rather intimately - with such generous, caring people is a privilege I’ll never forget. Mission Builders are my role models of the Godly Life!
Many Christians begin their day with prayer and a devotional reading. Before becoming part of the Mission Builder organization, I had not developed that personal habit. Even if there were days when I really didn’t feel – or look – like being around people first thing in the morning, that practice with the Mission Builders began to make a significant improvement in my outlook for the day. I have since come to treasure my breakfast with God. As I write this, my current practice is to read and study one of the Psalms, working chronologically through them using Psalms, by James Limburg, in the Westminster Bible Companion series. At times a relevant hymn will pop into mind and I’ll sing into my cereal. Well, no one else is around!
On the first few Mission Builder jobs where my husband and I worked, the couples fit their stereotypical roles: men built the building, and women did anything else. I am profoundly glad to see that practice slowly changing as more women become rostered Builders! I had no skill or desire to do the actual construction, but neither was I accustomed to being the classic housewife, cooking and cleaning all day! For a few years, I was still actively teaching, so I spent a lot of the summer catching up on household projects that didn’t get accomplished during the school year, as well as getting ready for my upcoming fall classes.
When I did retire though, I began to see what a blessing these other Mission Builder women were. They took charge of running their households, at some distance from their physical houses. They paid bills, kept up with mail, stayed in touch with family and friends back home, and yes, kept the RV clean and provided healthy meals for their husbands doing the hard physical labor.
What really changed my attitude, though, was seeing what these women did for the congregations hosting us. One woman kept up with all the weeding on the church grounds. In the process, she met a neighbor, and helped her with her garden, too! Several women helped the church secretary with time-consuming jobs like folding bulletins and assembling mailings. They assisted in worship and church activities. Some regularly “neatened up” the construction site, to help keep it safe, and also to make it welcoming for the congregation members who would explore on Sundays.
Eventually, even I caught on! One of my larger projects was to help input demographic and financial data into one congregation’s new computer system. Finally, I began to feel more useful and less like an obligatory appendage. Service was the key! The more I genuinely gave of myself, the more God blessed me with a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
The builders witness, too, amid the din of their saws, drills, and hammers. Sub-contractors (the licensed plumbers, electricians, and such) are amazed at the harmony they sense on the construction site. There are no dirty stories, foul words, nasty comments. Instead, they see people going out of their way to help each other. They see the manager and foreman asking opinions of the workers. They see a calm and happy demeanor in the men – and women – working around them. What’s going on here?
Every Mission Builder job must have its story of someone “on the fringe” of the congregation, who gets “hooked” into the project in one way or another, and gradually becomes an active member of the faith community. At one church it was an employee, whose boss “volunteered” him to come help. At another, it was the spouse of a member, who met the Mission Builders when they had a meal together. Somewhere else it was an unchurched member of the community who was intrigued by the RVs in the church parking lot. We really are missionaries!
The pinnacle of my Mission Builder career was when we were able to bring them to our own congregation to help us build a large sanctuary and gathering space. That was one of the most wonderful gifts with which God has blessed us. In spite of some church leaders warning that “our people are too busy” to help build, bring meals, and get to know those who lived in the RV camp, the year-long Mission Builder experience made a crucial difference in our church family. Members did find time to get involved! Meals and snacks were abundant. Quite a few of our retirees turned out almost daily to get their hands dirty. People realized the commitment and sacrifice our Builders were making in leaving their homes and families to come help us. That same sense of fulfillment by serving spread through our congregation. When we needed to continue the job into the winter, people opened their homes to the Mission Builders because the weather was too cold for RV living. Lifelong bonds were formed; we still cherish visits from our crew. The ELCA was struggling with issues that tore congregations apart; we were building our church!
Shortly after the dedication of our new space, our beloved pastor of thirty-plus years retired, and we had a serious leadership crisis. But we had lived with the role models of the Godly life in our church parking lot; we knew God would guide us through the tough time. And of course, that is exactly what happened. Personally, I was going through one of the most difficult times of my life. And God even brought me through that period: older, wiser, and much stronger in my faith. God had answered my constant prayer, not in the way I had begged, but with a new path for me to walk. Thanks be to God!
Many Christians begin their day with prayer and a devotional reading. Before becoming part of the Mission Builder organization, I had not developed that personal habit. Even if there were days when I really didn’t feel – or look – like being around people first thing in the morning, that practice with the Mission Builders began to make a significant improvement in my outlook for the day. I have since come to treasure my breakfast with God. As I write this, my current practice is to read and study one of the Psalms, working chronologically through them using Psalms, by James Limburg, in the Westminster Bible Companion series. At times a relevant hymn will pop into mind and I’ll sing into my cereal. Well, no one else is around!
On the first few Mission Builder jobs where my husband and I worked, the couples fit their stereotypical roles: men built the building, and women did anything else. I am profoundly glad to see that practice slowly changing as more women become rostered Builders! I had no skill or desire to do the actual construction, but neither was I accustomed to being the classic housewife, cooking and cleaning all day! For a few years, I was still actively teaching, so I spent a lot of the summer catching up on household projects that didn’t get accomplished during the school year, as well as getting ready for my upcoming fall classes.
When I did retire though, I began to see what a blessing these other Mission Builder women were. They took charge of running their households, at some distance from their physical houses. They paid bills, kept up with mail, stayed in touch with family and friends back home, and yes, kept the RV clean and provided healthy meals for their husbands doing the hard physical labor.
What really changed my attitude, though, was seeing what these women did for the congregations hosting us. One woman kept up with all the weeding on the church grounds. In the process, she met a neighbor, and helped her with her garden, too! Several women helped the church secretary with time-consuming jobs like folding bulletins and assembling mailings. They assisted in worship and church activities. Some regularly “neatened up” the construction site, to help keep it safe, and also to make it welcoming for the congregation members who would explore on Sundays.
Eventually, even I caught on! One of my larger projects was to help input demographic and financial data into one congregation’s new computer system. Finally, I began to feel more useful and less like an obligatory appendage. Service was the key! The more I genuinely gave of myself, the more God blessed me with a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
The builders witness, too, amid the din of their saws, drills, and hammers. Sub-contractors (the licensed plumbers, electricians, and such) are amazed at the harmony they sense on the construction site. There are no dirty stories, foul words, nasty comments. Instead, they see people going out of their way to help each other. They see the manager and foreman asking opinions of the workers. They see a calm and happy demeanor in the men – and women – working around them. What’s going on here?
Every Mission Builder job must have its story of someone “on the fringe” of the congregation, who gets “hooked” into the project in one way or another, and gradually becomes an active member of the faith community. At one church it was an employee, whose boss “volunteered” him to come help. At another, it was the spouse of a member, who met the Mission Builders when they had a meal together. Somewhere else it was an unchurched member of the community who was intrigued by the RVs in the church parking lot. We really are missionaries!
The pinnacle of my Mission Builder career was when we were able to bring them to our own congregation to help us build a large sanctuary and gathering space. That was one of the most wonderful gifts with which God has blessed us. In spite of some church leaders warning that “our people are too busy” to help build, bring meals, and get to know those who lived in the RV camp, the year-long Mission Builder experience made a crucial difference in our church family. Members did find time to get involved! Meals and snacks were abundant. Quite a few of our retirees turned out almost daily to get their hands dirty. People realized the commitment and sacrifice our Builders were making in leaving their homes and families to come help us. That same sense of fulfillment by serving spread through our congregation. When we needed to continue the job into the winter, people opened their homes to the Mission Builders because the weather was too cold for RV living. Lifelong bonds were formed; we still cherish visits from our crew. The ELCA was struggling with issues that tore congregations apart; we were building our church!
Shortly after the dedication of our new space, our beloved pastor of thirty-plus years retired, and we had a serious leadership crisis. But we had lived with the role models of the Godly life in our church parking lot; we knew God would guide us through the tough time. And of course, that is exactly what happened. Personally, I was going through one of the most difficult times of my life. And God even brought me through that period: older, wiser, and much stronger in my faith. God had answered my constant prayer, not in the way I had begged, but with a new path for me to walk. Thanks be to God!
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?
-- Micah 6:8
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?
-- Micah 6:8
In Christ’s service,
Sue McPherson
Valparaiso, Indiana
Sue McPherson
Valparaiso, Indiana
Retired to the Mission Builders
by Bill & Sonja Speer
“Why would they Send a Californian to manage a building project in Minnesota…couldn’t they find someone closer?” That’s a good question. Over the past 12 years, that’s one of the many questions Bill and I have had to try and answer…for others and for ourselves. The answer is simple…only God knows. But we do have some insight.
Retirement scared us. We knew, given many options, that we were called to give service to our Lord and savior…but what was that going to look like? Mission Builders seemed the right call and since 2004 we’ve never looked back. Our faith that God had plans for us was the foundation of our heading out on an unimaginable walk. Faith looks different in different folks…true in our case. I, Sonja, have the kind of faith that is the constant, unwavering, everyday variety…God walks with me and I with Him. Bills faith is bold, tangible and up front…expecting big things, prompt answers and big answers…he knows God can move mountains…and understands they’re partners.
By the time we were on our second project it became apparent that each crew was not just a rag-tag group of retirees. They were from all walks of life…on those first builds we worked with teachers, truck drivers, engineers, farmers, government workers, business folk, nurses, and others…not too many real construction workers. It’s a God plan…each person chosen for their skill for that project. We gained a new appreciation for our farmers who can repair anything. And, our women builders, who handle a saw table like a seasoned carpenters. And, nurses who can stand on their feet for hours and organize all matter of stuff. Who knew? God did.
Congregations become their own contractor on these Mission Builder projects. We get to know these people better than our own congregation. They have spent months/years in planning…waiting for this time when we arrive and building really begins. Now they get to join us in building the structure. Bill is fearless when encouraging people to come out for the opportunity to build their own church. Many are hesitant or feel they have no skills to offer…but Bill knows better and finds work that needs to be done or teaches specific skills…like hammer #101. Pete is a shining example. Pete was older but said he could come in the afternoons and help a bit. By the time we left, Pete had come almost every day at 3pm, he swept every floor and stacked every piece of wood in neat piles. It turns out he fished most mornings with a friend, he soon recruited his friend to join his building time. God blessed us with Pete and friend. And the kingdom grew.
We’ve witnessed Gods wondrous ways in congregation disagreement. Four faithful fellow members showed up regularly to build with us. You would call them pillars of the congregation. These fellows shared with us one day (we have devotions and coffee together each day) that they were against the build but had accepted the decision of the whole and decided to put their support behind the decision. An awesome admission and an awesome response…and we got to witness it. The rest of the story: These fellows followed Mission Builder projects the next 3 years…helping build at 3 other congregations…giving God glory along the way.
The toughest days we’ve had are those when we worry that we won’t complete a build…for any number of reasons…usually weather. On one occasion, we were building a large, full sanctuary/fellowship/day care facility. Our crew of 10 was getting tired and fall had arrived. Bill knew he had to quickly get backup…at least 3 builders. He sat down and went through his list of possible helpers. At the end of prayer and struggling thought, he had just 3 names and numbers on his pad. Bill made 3 calls and got 3 yeses. Makes one’s head spin at the goodness of God. Gods work called for Gods boldness and God is a faithful partner and walks before us. The crew and congregation were all invigorated, the build was completed, and we hit snow on the way home.
And so, retirement has been a most exciting and meaningful time for us…certainly nothing to dread. Work to do, lovely places to see, and Gods people to meet and know. Our grandkids ask us when we’re going to retire from the Mission Builder stuff…we tell them when we get a project in California.
Jer.29:11:” For I know the plans I have for you…plans to give you hope and a future.”
Bill and Sonja Speer
Retirement scared us. We knew, given many options, that we were called to give service to our Lord and savior…but what was that going to look like? Mission Builders seemed the right call and since 2004 we’ve never looked back. Our faith that God had plans for us was the foundation of our heading out on an unimaginable walk. Faith looks different in different folks…true in our case. I, Sonja, have the kind of faith that is the constant, unwavering, everyday variety…God walks with me and I with Him. Bills faith is bold, tangible and up front…expecting big things, prompt answers and big answers…he knows God can move mountains…and understands they’re partners.
By the time we were on our second project it became apparent that each crew was not just a rag-tag group of retirees. They were from all walks of life…on those first builds we worked with teachers, truck drivers, engineers, farmers, government workers, business folk, nurses, and others…not too many real construction workers. It’s a God plan…each person chosen for their skill for that project. We gained a new appreciation for our farmers who can repair anything. And, our women builders, who handle a saw table like a seasoned carpenters. And, nurses who can stand on their feet for hours and organize all matter of stuff. Who knew? God did.
Congregations become their own contractor on these Mission Builder projects. We get to know these people better than our own congregation. They have spent months/years in planning…waiting for this time when we arrive and building really begins. Now they get to join us in building the structure. Bill is fearless when encouraging people to come out for the opportunity to build their own church. Many are hesitant or feel they have no skills to offer…but Bill knows better and finds work that needs to be done or teaches specific skills…like hammer #101. Pete is a shining example. Pete was older but said he could come in the afternoons and help a bit. By the time we left, Pete had come almost every day at 3pm, he swept every floor and stacked every piece of wood in neat piles. It turns out he fished most mornings with a friend, he soon recruited his friend to join his building time. God blessed us with Pete and friend. And the kingdom grew.
We’ve witnessed Gods wondrous ways in congregation disagreement. Four faithful fellow members showed up regularly to build with us. You would call them pillars of the congregation. These fellows shared with us one day (we have devotions and coffee together each day) that they were against the build but had accepted the decision of the whole and decided to put their support behind the decision. An awesome admission and an awesome response…and we got to witness it. The rest of the story: These fellows followed Mission Builder projects the next 3 years…helping build at 3 other congregations…giving God glory along the way.
The toughest days we’ve had are those when we worry that we won’t complete a build…for any number of reasons…usually weather. On one occasion, we were building a large, full sanctuary/fellowship/day care facility. Our crew of 10 was getting tired and fall had arrived. Bill knew he had to quickly get backup…at least 3 builders. He sat down and went through his list of possible helpers. At the end of prayer and struggling thought, he had just 3 names and numbers on his pad. Bill made 3 calls and got 3 yeses. Makes one’s head spin at the goodness of God. Gods work called for Gods boldness and God is a faithful partner and walks before us. The crew and congregation were all invigorated, the build was completed, and we hit snow on the way home.
And so, retirement has been a most exciting and meaningful time for us…certainly nothing to dread. Work to do, lovely places to see, and Gods people to meet and know. Our grandkids ask us when we’re going to retire from the Mission Builder stuff…we tell them when we get a project in California.
Jer.29:11:” For I know the plans I have for you…plans to give you hope and a future.”
Bill and Sonja Speer
Beginning an Adventure
by Rich and Lindsey Hofer
When we moved to Fond du Lac, WI early in 2000, we joined a young congregation, Ascension Lutheran. This mission congregation had been worshiping in a local junior high school building for 10 years before they were able to take the significant step of constructing a church building. Finances had been tight, but God blessed the leadership with faith, vision, and a way to accomplish the vision. We heard stories of the congregation members helping to build the church with a group called Mission Builders, but we arrived on the scene after all the hard work was done. We immediately began to enjoy the fruits of their labor. The members had turned their focus from construction to growing the congregation, and grow it did! All too soon we were so crowded in the sanctuary that it was necessary to hold 3 services on Sunday mornings. With a vibrant congregation full of children, there was a pressing need for more space for worship and programming.
Outgrowing the building (11,000 square feet) in only 6 years was a huge challenge physically and financially. Because of the great experience Ascension had with the build in 1999 using Mission Builders, it was decided to again enlist their help in construction. A new sanctuary and education wing (total 18,000 square feet) was planned. Since many members, like us, had joined after the original build, we really didn’t know what to expect, or how involved we would eventually find ourselves. We were a congregation of mostly working couples/families, many of whom were raising young families. How much time would we have to dedicate to the project? We soon found out that there were ways to help that we hadn’t even imagined!
When Mission Builders come to help a congregation build, they stir a bit of curiosity in the community. We found ourselves explaining what all those campers were doing in our parking lot and using that opportunity to invite others to stop in to see what was going on or to join us for worship. (Aha! A natural way to reach out to others.) We invited the Mission Builders into our homes for an evening
meal and heard humble faith stories from other Lutherans who had travelled from all corners of the United States to help our congregation fulfill the dream of a beautiful new larger sanctuary and an expanded facility which would meet our current and future needs. We joined them for devotional time before the construction work of the day.
There were opportunities for everyone to participate in some way. We soon discovered that if your talent was to cook, serve, organize, paint, pound, saw, insulate, clean, encourage, or pray, you were a valuable part of the team. As a congregation, we were asked to provide food for snacks and Saturday work days. Volunteers worked alongside and under the supervision of the Mission Builders. A big bonus was developing relationships with other Ascension members as we worked together to stain the ceiling boards, paint the siding or wash the dishes. Those people who worshiped with each other on Sunday mornings now had more reasons to connect with each other and really know and appreciate each other. There was joy in seeing people grow spiritually as we worked together to accomplish the tasks. The completed building serves our congregation and the community every day and most evenings as a welcome gathering place for civic groups as well as congregational activities.
We watched the examples of faith and serving that the Mission Builders provided. Personally, we were nearing retirement age and wondering what this next phase in our lives would look like. How could we continue to be active and use the time and resources we have been blessed with? It was interesting to us that some of the mission builders did not come from construction backgrounds, but all shared a love of God and a sense of purpose in serving Him in this capacity. We began to wonder if WE could do this thing called Mission Builders? We asked so many questions in our conversations with the crew that at least three of them left application forms with us before they headed back to their homes in the fall!
Out of gratitude for the work and blessing that Mission Builders were to our congregation, a group from our congregation and other community members decided to “pay it forward” with a week-long adult mission trip to work alongside a MB crew in Eagle Pass TX building a parsonage for a Spanish speaking congregation. The year we retired from our careers, we volunteered with a MB crew in Wisconsin Rapids for a week, just to try it out. The next prayerful step was to fill out the MB application. Since then we have been privileged to serve on projects in Pennsylvania, Indiana(2), Montana, North Dakota(2), Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Minnesota(2) working with Mission Builders from all four corners of the US and everywhere in between.
The Mission Builder adventure has helped us to grow in our faith and gratitude as we have shared work and worship experiences with His precious people. Because we live fulltime in our RV, people often ask where we go, assuming we are on the road every day. That
question has provided an open door for us to encourage others to serve in whatever capacity their gifts allow. We count it our privilege to serve as God’s hands, doing His work.
Rich & Lindsey Hofer
Outgrowing the building (11,000 square feet) in only 6 years was a huge challenge physically and financially. Because of the great experience Ascension had with the build in 1999 using Mission Builders, it was decided to again enlist their help in construction. A new sanctuary and education wing (total 18,000 square feet) was planned. Since many members, like us, had joined after the original build, we really didn’t know what to expect, or how involved we would eventually find ourselves. We were a congregation of mostly working couples/families, many of whom were raising young families. How much time would we have to dedicate to the project? We soon found out that there were ways to help that we hadn’t even imagined!
When Mission Builders come to help a congregation build, they stir a bit of curiosity in the community. We found ourselves explaining what all those campers were doing in our parking lot and using that opportunity to invite others to stop in to see what was going on or to join us for worship. (Aha! A natural way to reach out to others.) We invited the Mission Builders into our homes for an evening
meal and heard humble faith stories from other Lutherans who had travelled from all corners of the United States to help our congregation fulfill the dream of a beautiful new larger sanctuary and an expanded facility which would meet our current and future needs. We joined them for devotional time before the construction work of the day.
There were opportunities for everyone to participate in some way. We soon discovered that if your talent was to cook, serve, organize, paint, pound, saw, insulate, clean, encourage, or pray, you were a valuable part of the team. As a congregation, we were asked to provide food for snacks and Saturday work days. Volunteers worked alongside and under the supervision of the Mission Builders. A big bonus was developing relationships with other Ascension members as we worked together to stain the ceiling boards, paint the siding or wash the dishes. Those people who worshiped with each other on Sunday mornings now had more reasons to connect with each other and really know and appreciate each other. There was joy in seeing people grow spiritually as we worked together to accomplish the tasks. The completed building serves our congregation and the community every day and most evenings as a welcome gathering place for civic groups as well as congregational activities.
We watched the examples of faith and serving that the Mission Builders provided. Personally, we were nearing retirement age and wondering what this next phase in our lives would look like. How could we continue to be active and use the time and resources we have been blessed with? It was interesting to us that some of the mission builders did not come from construction backgrounds, but all shared a love of God and a sense of purpose in serving Him in this capacity. We began to wonder if WE could do this thing called Mission Builders? We asked so many questions in our conversations with the crew that at least three of them left application forms with us before they headed back to their homes in the fall!
Out of gratitude for the work and blessing that Mission Builders were to our congregation, a group from our congregation and other community members decided to “pay it forward” with a week-long adult mission trip to work alongside a MB crew in Eagle Pass TX building a parsonage for a Spanish speaking congregation. The year we retired from our careers, we volunteered with a MB crew in Wisconsin Rapids for a week, just to try it out. The next prayerful step was to fill out the MB application. Since then we have been privileged to serve on projects in Pennsylvania, Indiana(2), Montana, North Dakota(2), Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Minnesota(2) working with Mission Builders from all four corners of the US and everywhere in between.
The Mission Builder adventure has helped us to grow in our faith and gratitude as we have shared work and worship experiences with His precious people. Because we live fulltime in our RV, people often ask where we go, assuming we are on the road every day. That
question has provided an open door for us to encourage others to serve in whatever capacity their gifts allow. We count it our privilege to serve as God’s hands, doing His work.
Rich & Lindsey Hofer
Peace Lutheran Church
Burlington, ND
When Pastor Emily asked me if I would write up something about how the Mission Builders impacted both myself and my church, my first thought was heck no! I’m not very good at saying what I mean, let alone trying to write what I mean. But the more I thought about it and what having them come to our church/community meant to all of us, I figured this is the least I could do.
Let me start by saying the reason we had the Mission Builders come to our church was we had to rebuild due to a devastating flood in 2011. The first few Mission Builders arrived early, before they were able to actually start work on our church addition, which turned out to be a blessing for the neighboring committees. At that time I was working for Lutheran Social Services Disaster Response as the Construction Manager at Hope Village, which was a camp for volunteers to rebuild flooded homes. When the Mission Builders that had arrived early, heard about the need for skilled help at Hope Village and being in need of something to “keep them busy”, they all signed up. They were by far among the most skilled carpenters at the camp.
For anyone who has had the privilege of being around this group of men and women (yes, the women are as big of a part of the Mission Builders as the men), they will understand when I say that my life has been changed forever! Not only do they work with you, but they will do bible study with you, they will worship with you and they will become part of your “church family”.
When the flood hit, over 60% of our congregation was affected. It goes without saying we were all in a bad place. But it wasn’t long after the Mission Builders arrived that I could see a change in the people’s attitudes. They brought with them a kind of “spiritual calm” with them. They listened to our problems, we shared meals together, they prayed with us and they prayed for us. They truly brought the Spirit of Christ with them.
As a church, we were in a very scary place. We were calling a new pastor, our church building was in need of rebuilding and our some of our members were suffering from losing their homes, all at the same time. I believe, no I know, that without the faith and compassion and caring that the Mission Builders brought with them (and Pastor Emily), we would not be the church family we are today.
On a personal note, this is how all the Mission Builders impacted my life, I am truly a different person I was 5 years ago. They have taught me that this is a group of Christians that I want to hang out with, to be part of. That they live their lives to serve others as Christ did. They go where they are called. They “camp” out with others that have the same desires, no matter what their backgrounds are. While everyone needs money to live on, there is more reward in service to others than having more stuff then your neighbor. This is what I am going to do with my life someday. Thanks Roy!
From everyone the Mission Builders have ever impacted……..
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS
-Terry Haider
Let me start by saying the reason we had the Mission Builders come to our church was we had to rebuild due to a devastating flood in 2011. The first few Mission Builders arrived early, before they were able to actually start work on our church addition, which turned out to be a blessing for the neighboring committees. At that time I was working for Lutheran Social Services Disaster Response as the Construction Manager at Hope Village, which was a camp for volunteers to rebuild flooded homes. When the Mission Builders that had arrived early, heard about the need for skilled help at Hope Village and being in need of something to “keep them busy”, they all signed up. They were by far among the most skilled carpenters at the camp.
For anyone who has had the privilege of being around this group of men and women (yes, the women are as big of a part of the Mission Builders as the men), they will understand when I say that my life has been changed forever! Not only do they work with you, but they will do bible study with you, they will worship with you and they will become part of your “church family”.
When the flood hit, over 60% of our congregation was affected. It goes without saying we were all in a bad place. But it wasn’t long after the Mission Builders arrived that I could see a change in the people’s attitudes. They brought with them a kind of “spiritual calm” with them. They listened to our problems, we shared meals together, they prayed with us and they prayed for us. They truly brought the Spirit of Christ with them.
As a church, we were in a very scary place. We were calling a new pastor, our church building was in need of rebuilding and our some of our members were suffering from losing their homes, all at the same time. I believe, no I know, that without the faith and compassion and caring that the Mission Builders brought with them (and Pastor Emily), we would not be the church family we are today.
On a personal note, this is how all the Mission Builders impacted my life, I am truly a different person I was 5 years ago. They have taught me that this is a group of Christians that I want to hang out with, to be part of. That they live their lives to serve others as Christ did. They go where they are called. They “camp” out with others that have the same desires, no matter what their backgrounds are. While everyone needs money to live on, there is more reward in service to others than having more stuff then your neighbor. This is what I am going to do with my life someday. Thanks Roy!
From everyone the Mission Builders have ever impacted……..
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS
-Terry Haider