As winter settles over Northern Michigan and snow begins to gather on rooftops and porches, the needs of our community don’t slow down — and neither does the call to serve. For many families, colder weather brings new challenges: drafts that cut through old windows, leaking roofs that worsen under heavy snow, and unsafe steps or ramps made even more difficult by ice.

This time of year reminds us that service isn’t seasonal. The same hope we bring in July sunshine is the hope we bring in December snow — a steady, faithful presence for neighbors who need warmth, stability, and care.

“Winter is when we see just how vulnerable some homes really are,” one team member shared. “But it’s also when we see volunteers show up with so much heart. Snowy days don’t stop compassion.”

With every repair, every ramp, and every emergency call, we see how God’s love moves through people — through those who give, those who serve, and those who pray for this ministry. The cold weather may slow the world down, but it seems to only strengthen the resolve of those who come alongside us.

As we close out the year, we’re grateful for every volunteer who bundled up to fix a roof, every donor who made a project possible, and every supporter who lifted this ministry in prayer. Together, we are serving through every season — bringing warmth where it’s needed most.

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

? Enjoy a few snapshots from winter projects past — snowy days, bundled crews, and the beauty of faith in action even in the coldest months.

Some of the greatest needs in our community are the ones we rarely see from the outside. Every week, our staff steps into homes where water has quietly been doing its worst — leaking through roofs, soaking into subfloors, and spreading silently behind walls. What begins as a small drip or a loose shingle often turns into serious structural damage, unsafe living conditions, and, in many cases, health concerns from black mold.

Families often reach out only when the situation becomes overwhelming — when ceilings begin to sag, floors grow soft underfoot, or a room becomes unsafe to enter. Water doesn’t wait, and many homeowners simply don’t have the tools, physical ability, or financial means to repair these issues before they turn into a crisis.

“We see a lot of people doing everything they can to keep their homes together,” one staff member shared. “By the time we arrive for the initial inspection, the damage has already gone far beyond what anyone could manage alone.”

Another unseen need we respond to frequently is safe access. Many individuals live without a proper ramp, making something as simple as entering or exiting their own home difficult — and sometimes dangerous. A ramp may seem like a small thing, but for someone with limited mobility, it can restore dignity, independence, and connection to the world outside their front door.

At Freedom Builders Missions, we step into these hidden places with a mission to restore hope — one repair, one ramp, one rebuild at a time. Through the hands of volunteers and the generosity of donors, unsafe structures become secure again. Homes affected by water damage are repaired and restored. And families who once felt trapped by their circumstances experience the love of Christ in a tangible, life-changing way.

You can be part of this work. Whether you join us on a project site or support a family through giving, your involvement makes a real difference. Together, we can meet the needs no one else sees — and bring hope where it’s needed most.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2

Below, you’ll find several before-and-after photos that show the hidden damage we encounter — and the incredible transformation that happens through community, compassion, and faith in action.

“Serving as a way of life, not an event.”

At Freedom Builders Missions, we believe serving others isn’t just something we do — it’s who we are. Our mission is to help the Body of Christ see service not as a scheduled activity, but as a natural, joyful expression of faith. When we make serving a way of life, every project, prayer, and act of kindness becomes an opportunity to reflect God’s love and bring hope to our neighbors.

The Vision
We envision a community where believers live out their faith through everyday service — where churches, families, and individuals step into the needs around them, showing the love of Christ through action. Our goal is to partner with local churches and organizations to equip and encourage ongoing service beyond single events or seasons.

How Churches Can Join In
1. Pray - Pray regularly for the families we serve and for volunteers to rise up within your congregation.
2. Partner - Adopt a project, sponsor materials, or send teams to serve monthly or quarterly.
3. Participate - Invite Freedom Builders to share stories or devotionals during worship or small groups.
4. Promote - Encourage service as discipleship — a lifestyle of loving and helping others.

The Heart of Service
Freedom Builders began over 27 years ago with a simple desire: to serve others in the name of Jesus Christ. Each ramp built, roof repaired, or home restored is an expression of faith — a tangible way to meet needs and share the Gospel. By serving as a way of life, we reflect Christ’s love daily, transforming both the lives we touch and our own hearts in the process.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” — Colossians 3:23

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
This year’s Freedom Fest was a night to remember. 
Together, we came alongside families in need and celebrated the power of community and the hope that God provides.

BLESSINGS FROM OUR DONORS
Because of your generosity and partnership, 75 future projects were fully sponsored at the event! Each project represents a life changed — a ramp that brings freedom, a roof that brings security, or a home repair that restores dignity.

One of the most powerful moments of the night was hearing from our friend Tracey, a homeowner who shared her story with us.

Her house was falling apart — siding crumbling, windows broken, doors drafty. With the help of a large group of church volunteers, we were able to strip the siding, replace doors and windows, and weatherproof her home.

Her words reminded us that when we come together, real change happens.

If you missed the event — or want to relive the evening — you can watch the video that was shared during the program. It highlights the heart of our mission and the incredible impact of your generosity.

Watch the video at fbmissions.org (COMING SOON)

We are humbled by the outpouring of support from donors, volunteers, and community members. Whether you gave financially, offered your time, or lifted our mission up in prayer, you played a vital role in transforming lives.

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
– Matthew 18:20

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Subscribe on our home page fbmissions.org

Earlier this fall, Freedom Builders had the privilege of helping a local couple who had opened their home nearly ten years ago to a man with nowhere else to go. Over the years, he became family — sharing meals, laughter, and life together.

When he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, his world became smaller. In his final weeks, the outdoors — once his favorite place — felt just out of reach. The steps from the front door became an impossible barrier, and he would stand in the doorway just to feel the sun on his face.

That’s when our volunteers stepped in. A group of young and old came together to build a ramp and landing at the front of the home — giving him the gift of fresh air and freedom once again.

In the two weeks that followed, he was able to go outside every day. He passed away peacefully, having spent his final days surrounded by nature, light, and love. The ramp may have been made of wood and screws, but what it represented was so much more — dignity, compassion, and the beauty of God’s people serving together.

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds 
and glorify your Father in Heaven." - Matthew 5:16

We will be returning to the house to reclaim the ramp so it can be used again to serve another family in need. We will also install new steps for the homeowners to use for years to come. Thank you to all of our amazing volunteers!

Don’t just read the story — be part of the next one. Volunteer with us.
Register for an upcoming service project at fbmissions.org/events

Welcome to the Freedom Builders Blog — a place where stories of faith, service, and restoration come to life. Here, we’ll share glimpses of what God is doing through the hands and hearts of volunteers, staff, and the families we serve across Northern Michigan.

Each post will invite you behind the scenes of our mission — from rebuilding porches and repairing roofs to restoring hope in the lives of people who need it most. You’ll meet the families whose lives have been changed, the volunteers who faithfully show up week after week, and the incredible ways God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

In the months ahead, you can look forward to Project Spotlights, Volunteer Highlights, Devotionals, and Faith Reflections — all centered on the truth that when we serve others, we’re building more than homes… we’re building the Kingdom.

Whether you’re a longtime supporter or just learning about Freedom Builders, we invite you to follow along, be inspired, and join us in being the hands and feet of Jesus in our community.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” — 1 Peter 4:10