Family Recruitment

Our Executive Director just got back from a training seminar in Baltimore. She was telling us this morning about the Baltimore area Habitat affiliate that is building nearly seventy homes for families in need this year. When I heard this, I couldn't believe it. This is amazing to me that they would be able to build that many homes and serve that many families. It made me want to call them up and ask them how they do it.
It got me thinking about our family recruitment efforts at TriState Habitat for Humanity. While I have taken some great strides and we have more approved Partner Families than at any time since I've been at TriState Habitat, there is still so much to do. We serve eight counties in three states and I know that there are families who need safe, decent, affordable housing. I know that there are families out there who have the dream of becoming home owners.
There are people all around us who would make great partners with Habitat. There are people tonight who will go to sleep in living conditions that are extremely substandard. There are families who are needing a hand up from their current living conditions.
The big question for me is "how do I find these families?" I need to pray much more about this and think outside the box. I need to spend more time being creative and thinking about how best to reach our target group. I need to figure out the best way to use the resources that we have. I need to be better at relating to and identifying with families living in poverty.
So, I'm asking for your prayers for this. While things are going pretty well in my family recruitment efforts, they could be going much better. We are only scratching the surface and that is not acceptable to me. I don't want to just get by. I want TriState Habitat to make a huge impact in this region. I want to see whole neighborhoods transformed by the power of God's love. I want to see more families who never thought they could live their dream receive the keys to their own homes. I don't want to do this half-way. I want to give my all and with my last breath know that I did everything I could to stand alongside the poor and help them reach their goal of a safe, decent, affordable home in which to live.
I appreciate your prayers for our recruitment efforts and for my ministry. Thanks for being a part of my journey!