Two congregations partner each year to transform the outside of a house for a Chatham resident
THE CHURCH
First Presbyterian Church and First Reformed Church of Chatham, Ont.
THE CHALLENGE
Building relationships between churchgoers and neighbours, plus practising generosity
THE IDEA
Supporting neighbours in need of renovation help
THE COST
From $4,000 to $6,000 each year. Both churches contribute equally.
Oscar Njumba of First Presbyterian, coordinator of the Backyard Mission Project, explains:
Since the summer of 2009, our two congregations have partnered each year to transform the outside of a house for a Chatham resident with a group of volunteers from our faith communities.
This is our faith in action, one way that we help “the least of these” in our city. The Backyard Mission Project allows us to establish trust among our neighbours without obligation.
We invite people with disabilities and homeowners facing challenging circumstances to apply for renovation support each year. A committee made up of congregation members from both churches meets, plans, evaluates the applications and decides on one.
The Backyard Mission Project helps those with disabilities or in challenging circumstances with outdoor renovation support, building relationships in Chatham, Ont. PHOTO: THE BACKYARD MISSION PROJECT
PHOTO: THE BACKYARD MISSION PROJECT
PHOTO: THE BACKYARD MISSION PROJECT
We have professional home builders who lead and supervise during the days of the outreach. Volunteers are educated on the work that needs to be done which includes painting, building wheelchair ramps and decks, landscaping, repairing fences or general cleanup.
For churches interested in doing something similar, I would advise them not to overextend resources. Only commit to what you can sustain well. Take the posture of a guest and learner, not a hero.
We love that we’re invited to serve and love on our city, listen to the stories of our neighbours. The goal isn’t just painting fences or cleaning yards. It’s building relationships and trust.
Do you have a story to share about your church’s community outreach? Contact our editors at editor@FaithToday.ca. Read more stories at FaithToday.ca/CIC. Photo: The Backyard Mission Project