In 2005, the Tulsa County Thrivent chapter applied to Thrivent Financial for a grant to build a new Habitat home in Tulsa. The grant was approved, and with Thrivent providing 70% of the funding, Habitat for Humanity providing 20% and Tulsa area Lutheran congregations providing 10% of the funding, the process of building a Habitat for Humanity home rapidly fell into place.The wall-raising took place on March 4, 2006 – a cold, drizzly day. Despite the rain, spirits were high as around 120 people from area Lutheran churches (about 20 from First) and Habitat for Humanity showed up ready to work. We enjoyed meeting the homeowner, Nicole Vann, who is thrilled with the prospect of moving with her children into their new home. She expressed her appreciation to all who were there that morning during a brief dedication service led by Pastor Alan Fox of Fellowship Lutheran.
Since that morning, dependable and hardworking people from fourteen area Lutheran churches have faithfully shown up to work each Wednesday and Saturday. The results have been amazing as we are now three weeks ahead of schedule!
There is still plenty of work to be done, however. If you would like more information, or would like to assist in the construction of the next Luther Home, please contact First Lutheran’s Congregational Champions, Rick (918-706-3927) or Kelly (918-706-3928) Olson.
