Volunteers Build Their Faith and A Church
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Updated: 2:14 AM May 31, 2006
Volunteers Build Their Faith and A Church
When most of us think of summer vacations we think of lounging by the pool, soaking in the sun or reading a good book. But this summer hundreds of people from dozens of states will be heading to Eau Claire to work on their days off.
Posted: 6:10 PM May 30, 2006
Reporter: Allison Miller
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From all walks of life and all possible professions, they've come to Eau Claire not just to build a church, but also to build their faith.

"For us this is really become holy ground."

This ground is the future site of Jacob's Well Southern Baptist Church.

A church once so small the entire congregation fit in their pastor's living room.

They now count between 700 to 800 members and soon can count themselves one among dozens of churches built by Builders for Christ, an all volunteer organization.

"We don't do this for the adventure or for our own satisfaction we really feel like we're called by God to do this," says Lawrence Corley with Builders for Christ.

"Their spirit is unbelievable their attitude and we would not and could not be doing what we're doing without them we're absolutely overwhelmed," Paul Berthiaume, Jacob Well's pastor.

The feeling is mutual.

For the volunteers, which will total some 1,400 by summer's end, the project gives them a chance to learn something new.

"I've never done anything with carpentry at all. I can't even open a jar of pickles by myself so it's been great," says volunteer Donni Johnson from Virginia.

While putting to practice what they preach.

"Jesus Christ gave everything for me. This is just a small thing I can give back to him. That's a no brainer," says volunteer R.G. Evans from Alabama.

With all the volunteers and a little help from above, the $3 million project is scheduled to be done this fall.

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