Dignity, worth and value are our birthrights as children of the Living God, bearing the image of the Creator. These are truths that we own.

And yet - we often take them for granted.

Freedom Builders believes that dignity, worth and value are independent of status or color, neighborhood or education level, language or history, race or gender, profession or citizenship.

Not all of God's children have the luxury of resting in this assurance.

In our Michigan neighborhoods are men, women and children living in poverty compounded by fear.
People like migrant workers. They move for a reason...out of desperate contexts...in search of hope. Yet they often wind up trading in one set of fears for another.

One Story of Hope

A new Freedom Builders project was underway.

Skip arrived to visit the mobile home of a young Hispanic couple and their infant daughter. The trailer had been given to them free of charge, allowing this family to be the first in either of their families’ histories to own their own home – Generosity forging an impact point in breaking the cycle of despair!

The renovation plans were settled. However, it wasn’t just Freedom Builders and the donor of the home who were serving the young family. After all, sacrifice and service don’t always come with 501c3 status. The young woman took Skip aside.

In broken English, she asked, “Would you be willing to help the family that is housing us while you repair our trailer?”

“Sure,” Skip replied. “Let’s walk over and see what we can do.”

Ten Hispanic migrant workers were clustered into a small mobile home. The roof was in great need of repair, amongst other things. But the greatest need here wasn’t quantifiable. The owner shifted from amiable to alarmed when she became afraid that Skip would speak to the park ranger about their family’s status. Helping the young couple was putting her at risk.

Fear is a potent enemy.

“Oh no,” Skip assured her. “We will honor you.”

Both women broke down into tears. Tears of surprise and joy that something would respect them enough to say – You are worthy, you have dignity, you are valuable. There had been a tremendous level of fear in the neighborhood. This is beginning to change as they are treated with the love and compassion that Christ has for his children.

The first century church also lived in constant fear. They were a minority. They were despised. They had no privilege. In Acts 2, we learn of how they served one another. That love was the hallmark of their faith.

Let us fast-forward two thousand years. We have neighbors in Michigan who are looked down upon. They are despised. They have no privilege. And yet they have tender hearts and many, like this woman, are willing to serve just like the first century church. Perhaps the fears are different; yet much is the same.

It is a hallmark of the family of God to communicate the mark of the Christian to all of his children, in any and every context. And for those of us of faith, we know that our ultimate security lies in the hands of a just and compassionate God.

Let’s share that love and security.