---There's been church building boom over the past few years, but as the stock market continues to slide, some churches are finding it difficult to finish and pay for what they started. That's why a Texas-based ministry is helping rural churches slash costs associated with renovating or remodeling their
facilities. Volunteer Christian Builders has sent out workers to help rural churches with their building programs. A majority of team members are retirees. The ministry provides free labor for one-week periods for rural churches -- which often struggle to find the funds for renovating and remodeling. Charles Cole, president of Volunteer Christian Builders, says those involved in the ministry are truly blessed in return. Cole applauds those who participate and adds the churches that have had volunteers tell him how much of a blessing it was to get help from VCB. But, Cole adds, "You've always heard, 'It's more of a blessing to give than to receive' -- and that is certainly the way it is here." Churches report they are often able to cut in half the cost of building projects by employing the talents
of the ministry.
(9/4/2002)
