The Catholicos Karekin II at work in Jimmy Carter Work Project 2005 in Detroit

Habitat is a partnership founded on common ground -- bridging theological differences by putting love into action. Everyone can use the hammer as an instrument to manifest God's love.

Habitat founder Millard Fuller calls this concept "the theology of the hammer," explaining, "we may disagree on all sorts of other things... but we can agree on the idea of building homes with God's people in need, and in doing so using biblical economics: no profit and no interest."

Habitat for Humanity welcomes all people to build with us in partnership. "The Bible teaches that God is the God of the whole crowd," explains Fuller. "God's love leaves nobody out, and my love should not either. This understanding drives 'the theology of the hammer' around the world, steadily building more and more houses in more and more countries."

The Armenian Church

In 301 A.D. Armenia became the first nation in the world to proclaim Christianity as a state religion. Today, the Armenian Apostolic church is present in all parts of the world where it unites Armenians in communities and parishes, playing an instrumental role in preserving the Armenian culture and language even in the places far from the motherland. The Armenian Apostolic Church is permanently represented in the World Council of Churches.

Habitat for Humanity and the Armenian Apostolic Church announced a partnership to combat poverty housing in Armenia and worldwide during the Jimmy Carter Work Project in Detroit in 2005. The participation of Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenian His Holiness Karekin II in this annual event proved that the need has no belief and no nation, and that there are no borders for benevolence.

Background Information on Church Parternship

In April 2006, the Armenian Apostolic Church and Habitat for Humanity International  signed an agreement of long- term cooperation. Under this agreement, His Holiness Karekin II Work Project  2006 started. In September 2006, Habitat For Humanity Armenia hosted an inaugural event where more than 300 volunteers from Europe, the United States, Armenia and other countries came together in Gavar to help accomplish the construction of 24 unit condominium building. The events of 2006 took place with the personal involvement of Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians His Holiness Karekin II. Participating were also spiritual leaders of different churches and denominations, members of the National Council of Churches in Christ of America, representatives of different foreign missions in the Republic of Armenia and many concerned individuals from Armenia and the Diaspora. 

Our goal for 2007 was to establish long term partnerships with 37 parishes and help 37 Armenian families to solve their housing problems.

The project took place from April through December in different communities throughout Armenia whereHabitat for Humanity operates. Within this project, Habitat for Humanity Armenia helped 27 families to complete construction of their half built homes and 10 families to do partial renovation of their homes.

His Holiness Karekin II Work Project will continue in 2008!

We are sure that together, the Armenian Apostolic Church and Habitat for Humanity can replace substandard housing with simple, decent, affordable homes. We encourage Armenian churches around the world to join and to make a positive difference in the lives if other families surviving in substandard conditions.

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