For over 20 years, Highland Park United Methodist Church has provided help and hope to the Dallas community through Carpenters for Christ. This servant organization is led by lay members of HPUMC, making us the largest partner of Habitat for Humanity of any church congregation in the world.

While countless HPUMC volunteers make building each home possible, every Habitat family is also responsible for putting at least 250 hours of “sweat equity” into their new homes, working side-by-side with us.

The proud owners of the most recent house are the Lay family. Before partnering with Carpenters for Christ, Mrs. Gay Lay was simply “looking for a place to really settle down.” Now, construction is finished on her new home.

One of Mrs. Lay’s favorite features of her house? The location.

“We’re going to be right next door to my mom and a couple of houses away from my sister,” she said. “If my husband and I have to work late, we can ask my mom and sister to keep an eye on our kids.”

She was amazed by the entire process of “seeing my house go from a cement rectangle to walls, and eventually, a house for my family to live in.” It left her feeling extremely grateful for all the Carpenters for Christ volunteers that came out to help. “Without them,” Mrs. Lay said, “this wouldn’t be possible.”