How it all started...
In the spring of 1999 “More Than a Carpenter Missions” was formed to pursue the possibility of partnering with social services agencies. A few small projects were done that summer, but most of the time was spent fact finding on the needs and possibilities.
In August of 2000, we joined the team of Freedom Ministries and the name was changed to Freedom Builders. We had a greater resource with Freedom Ministries and built a more solid organizational foundation, learning more about the needs and situations that existed in the community for the disadvantaged and disabled. That year, we completed about 67 projects.
In 2001, we moved to another level. We took on 2 large projects. We worked with Family Independence Agency to build a “Habitat for Humanity House”, the first ever built in the city limits of Traverse City. We also renovated a home for a landlord on the condition that he rent it below market cost to a mom with developmental disabilities and two young boys. We learned from that experience and built new relationships with churches and local agencies. That year we completed 74 other projects.
In January 2002, we separated from Freedom Ministries to allow each ministry to be more effective and allow Freedom Builders to grow and expand its services.
In 2003 our list of volunteers continued to grow and we were able to serve another 73 families. The continued cutbacks in the state funding of local areas service programs meant we saw an even greater level of need for housing assistance. The severity of the work we were called to do increased substantially. We now find ourselves doing more major renovations.
The year 2004 brought with it a continued inability for the state funded organizations to financially partner with us to serve the needs of the disadvantaged of this area, but the need continued to grow dramatically. We were blessed to form a relationship with a godly man and his family who made the need to replace furnaces, due to the lack of adequate financial resources, go away. We were again able to serve 71 families with needs that grew more difficult to solve each day.
In August of 2000, we joined the team of Freedom Ministries and the name was changed to Freedom Builders. We had a greater resource with Freedom Ministries and built a more solid organizational foundation, learning more about the needs and situations that existed in the community for the disadvantaged and disabled. That year, we completed about 67 projects.
In 2001, we moved to another level. We took on 2 large projects. We worked with Family Independence Agency to build a “Habitat for Humanity House”, the first ever built in the city limits of Traverse City. We also renovated a home for a landlord on the condition that he rent it below market cost to a mom with developmental disabilities and two young boys. We learned from that experience and built new relationships with churches and local agencies. That year we completed 74 other projects.
In January 2002, we separated from Freedom Ministries to allow each ministry to be more effective and allow Freedom Builders to grow and expand its services.
In 2003 our list of volunteers continued to grow and we were able to serve another 73 families. The continued cutbacks in the state funding of local areas service programs meant we saw an even greater level of need for housing assistance. The severity of the work we were called to do increased substantially. We now find ourselves doing more major renovations.
The year 2004 brought with it a continued inability for the state funded organizations to financially partner with us to serve the needs of the disadvantaged of this area, but the need continued to grow dramatically. We were blessed to form a relationship with a godly man and his family who made the need to replace furnaces, due to the lack of adequate financial resources, go away. We were again able to serve 71 families with needs that grew more difficult to solve each day.
Expanding the vision...
The year 2007 we continued to be more intentional about the opportunity to have the volunteers build relationships with the families they served. This did slow the process so that we saw only a small growth in the number of projects completed. We have seen a significant improvement in the desire to have the servants build relationships with those served. We also had the opportunity to improve our Board of Director's involvement in the management of the organization.
2008 brought with it amazing challenges and even greater blessings as a greater number of families were referred to us. We did not see a substantial increase in our financial support so a greater divide began to build between need and supply. Three months into the year we were contacted by “Gifts in Kind International” and began the process of a partnership with them, ourselves and Home Depot Traverse City. This partnership has paid great dividends through the donation of discontinued or slightly damaged materials. Shortly after we began the program, we were able to receive a semi‐load of insulation for the cost of delivery and handling, a $ 32,000 value for $ 2,600.00. Undertaking major salvage operations for some very high end homes produced many useful quality items. Late in the year we were notified that the free storage space that we were using at the state hospital grounds would no longer be available. We put a notice in a local church bulletin and that same Sunday received a call offering the use of a building with 7,500 square feet. God continues to bless!
In 2009 the number of calls increased dramatically. In the two years prior we normally received 2‐3 calls per week. Now it is 3‐4 calls per day. The number of people desiring to be involved in the work of serving continues to grow. It seems as though the more we put people to work volunteering, the greater our volunteer base grows. . We also began to see ourselves involved in large renovation projects in an effort to allow families to stay in their own homes and to make those not only safe but healthy places to raise families.
Over time we have expanded our list of those who want to be part of helping the families in our area, both physically and spiritually. We have expanded our volunteer list along with the number of churches and youth groups who want to be involved in the ministry. The Lord continues to bring new partners to assist in ministering to the broken and hurting. He continues to surprise us with His provision and we ask that you consider being one of our partners in Serving the Least of These.
2008 brought with it amazing challenges and even greater blessings as a greater number of families were referred to us. We did not see a substantial increase in our financial support so a greater divide began to build between need and supply. Three months into the year we were contacted by “Gifts in Kind International” and began the process of a partnership with them, ourselves and Home Depot Traverse City. This partnership has paid great dividends through the donation of discontinued or slightly damaged materials. Shortly after we began the program, we were able to receive a semi‐load of insulation for the cost of delivery and handling, a $ 32,000 value for $ 2,600.00. Undertaking major salvage operations for some very high end homes produced many useful quality items. Late in the year we were notified that the free storage space that we were using at the state hospital grounds would no longer be available. We put a notice in a local church bulletin and that same Sunday received a call offering the use of a building with 7,500 square feet. God continues to bless!
In 2009 the number of calls increased dramatically. In the two years prior we normally received 2‐3 calls per week. Now it is 3‐4 calls per day. The number of people desiring to be involved in the work of serving continues to grow. It seems as though the more we put people to work volunteering, the greater our volunteer base grows. . We also began to see ourselves involved in large renovation projects in an effort to allow families to stay in their own homes and to make those not only safe but healthy places to raise families.
Over time we have expanded our list of those who want to be part of helping the families in our area, both physically and spiritually. We have expanded our volunteer list along with the number of churches and youth groups who want to be involved in the ministry. The Lord continues to bring new partners to assist in ministering to the broken and hurting. He continues to surprise us with His provision and we ask that you consider being one of our partners in Serving the Least of These.
Where we are headed...
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vestibulum faucibus accumsan nulla, non faucibus velit convallis et. Nulla tempus placerat massa. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vestibulum faucibus accumsan nulla, non faucibus velit convallis et. Nulla tempus placerat massa. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vestibulum faucibus accumsan nulla, non faucibus velit convallis et. Nulla tempus placerat massa. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et.
