Craftsmen For Christ

Introduction

Craftsmen for Christ is made up of groups of people who want to minister by using their skills and abilities in construction projects to build Christ's kingdom. They see their work as a service to and for local churches and ministering groups, who serve others.

The Biblical record from the Living Bible tells of many whose desire in life was to serve others who were in need in this way.

• Solomon called for those with special skills and abilities to help build and craft the temple - - - - - - - I Chronicles 28:21.
• . . others with skills of every kind will volunteer - - I Chronicles 28:21.
• So send me skilled Craftsmen . . .to work...to build . . . II Chronicles 2:7.
• Many people responded to the call of Ezra and Nehemiah to rebuild the temple and wall of the city of Jerusalem. . . . . they did the whole thing, cut the beams, hung the doors, made the bolts and bars - - - - - - - Nehemiah 3:3 .
• "God is not unjust, He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them." - Hebrews 6:10.

People helping people in need of one's special skill of building, Craftsmen for Christ projects will provide one with the opportunity to serve Christ as you minister to people through the work of your hands.

History

The Craftsmen for Christ ministry was organized in April 1987, under Light and Life Men's International, a division of the department of Evangelism and Church Growth of the Free Methodist Church of North America with Ministry Center in Indianapolis, IN.

CFC's first national project was the construction located at the Hamlin F.M. Church in Hamlin NY - May 1989. Construction of a Haitian Church was then started in January of 1990 in Immokalee Florida. October, '90 saw the CFC in Conneaut, Ohio working on the Conneaut Resurrection Project. 1991 saw two projects Tampa Hispanic Church in Tampa, FL and a the remodeling of an old school building for a church in Knoxville, TN., know as the Knoxville Genesis Project.

March of 1991 was the beginning of a regional group in McPherson , Kansas. McPherson Craftsmen for Christ has twelves couples from Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Minnesota, New York and North Carolina. They have done many projects in the United States and Mexico. Their first project was building a church in Porrvenir, Mexico which took place during two three-week visits. This is a new church building for the local congregation in the outskirts of Mexicali, Mexico, constructed for worship and fellowship.

During the past few years projects have been done in Florida to Washington. There have been a good variety to new construction project including educational units, worship centers, even a hay shed converted to a 50 stall horse feeding barn at a Christian camp in Warm Beach, Washington. August of 1995 saw another regional group started in Michigan.

It is the hope that many more regional groups will be started, as the need to help in this building ministry, is urgently needed in our churches as they respond to the ministry opportunities in their communities and conferences.

Purpose

The purpose of Craftsmen for Christ is to use one's abilities for building by mobilizing work ministry teams. These projects vary from repair and finishing to new construction. It will involve any and all phases of the work on ministry facilities. Craftsmen for Christ will be helping church planting and ethnic congregations. They also will help any needy congregation - both here in America and overseas. Serving people with a servant heart, offering helping hands to local congregations and ministering groups as they in turn minister in Jesus Name to those whom they serve.

If you are interested in joining a ministry work group or in having the work of a volunteer ministry group, Craftsmen for Christ, Call or Write :

Men's Ministry International
World Ministries Center
PO. Box 535002
Indianapolis, IN 46253-5002
1-800-342-5531
317 244-3660
317 244-1247 Fax

For information about the McPherson Kansas Chapter of CFC contact: Keith Ivers.