Habitat founder to receive World Methodist Peace Award
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Millard Fuller |
Oct. 14, 2004By United Methodist News Service Millard Fuller, president and founder of Habitat for Humanity International, will receive the 2004 World Methodist Peace Award. The
award, given annually since 1977 by the World Methodist Council, will
be presented to Fuller Dec. 8, at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church
on the campus of Emory University in Atlanta. "In
bringing together persons regardless of their religious preference or
background to work side-by-side to eliminate poverty housing, Habitat
for Humanity International promotes peace, reconciliation and justice,"
said the Rev. George Freeman, top executive of the World Methodist
Council. His Eminence Sunday Mbang, chairperson of the World Methodist
Council and Prelate of the Methodist Church in Nigeria, will present the
award. Habitat
for Humanity began 27 years ago when Fuller, a successful attorney in
Americus, Ga., and his wife Linda, left their millionaire lifestyle and
rededicated their lives to serving God. Habitat
for Humanity operates in 100 countries around the world. In 2005 the
200,000th Habitat house will be completed. At that time more than
1,000,000 people will live in housing made possible by volunteers
dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide.
Habitat
for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian organization that brings
together people of all backgrounds in the ministry of building. The
Peace Award is presented to individuals or groups who have made
significant contributions to peace, reconciliation and justice. Courage,
creativity and consistency are values that are considered when
presenting the World Methodist Peace, Freeman said. Previous
recipients of the World Methodist Peace Award include: Nelson Mandela;
Jimmy Carter; Boris Trajkovski, former President of Macedonia; the
Community of St. Egidio in Rome; and the Grandmothers of the Plaza de
Mayo in Argentina. The
World Methodist Council is a Christian World Communion that comprises
76 member denominations in 132 countries, representing ministries that
involve 75 million people worldwide. The World Methodist Peace Award is
the highest honor bestowed by the people called Methodist around the
world. *Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer in Nashville, Tenn. News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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