New York, June 16, 2005 – National Council of Churches USA General Secretary Bob Edgar will join former President Jimmy Carter and volunteers from 50 churches June 19-24 to build 40 homes during Habitat for Humanity’s 2005 Jimmy Carter Work Project in Michigan. 

“President Carter is demonstrating once again that our obligation to those who are struggling in our economy is more than lip service and good intentions,” Edgar said. “The thousands of volunteers who will be rolling up their sleeves and grabbing hammers are witnesses to the fact that we all have a duty to work together. Those who have homes must never turn their backs on those who can’t afford them.” Edgar is shown at left meeting with the Carters at an earlier work project.

A special addition to this year’s work project will be the presence of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. Karekin will preside over an announcement of the Armenian Church’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity to build in Armenia, the United States and other countries. 

During the annual event, thousands of volunteers will join Mr. Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, to make the dream of homeownership come true with families in need.  Volunteers will complete more than 230 homes throughout Michigan and in Windsor, Canada.  The Carters will build in host cities Benton Harbor and Detroit. 

Leading up to the project, denominational leaders Bishop Gary Hansen of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Bishop Bob Gepert of the Episcopal Church led a campaign to get denominations engaged by providing seed money and matching grants to encourage involvement from local congregations.   

Diverse church groups represented include Presbyterians, United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Baptists and many non-denominational churches including Willow Creek Community Church near Chicago, which is sending more than 200 volunteers and sponsoring two homes. 

Representatives from Michigan Faith Leaders Council will show their support by building along with church members from various denominations and nondenominational churches.

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Contact:  NCC News, Philip E. Jenks, 212-870-2252, pjenks@ncccusa.org; Leslie Tune, 202-544-2350, ltune@ncccusa.org 

Contact Habitat for Humanity, Duane Bates, 229-938-1917, dbates@habitat.org; Jennifer Lindsey, 202-270-2030, jlindsey@habitat.org