BERNE, IN — Over 250 volunteers gathered at First Missionary Church (FMC) on Saturday morning to help build homes for those in need.
“I frequently lead mission trips for the church, but not everyone is able to attend due to distance or cost,” FMC Connections Pastor Michael Baer said. “This is a chance to bring the mission trip to them.”
The Church completed the Homecoming 2025 project in collaboration with the organization Help Build Hope. Volunteers framed two homes in about three hours. One home is for storm victims just across the state line in Paulding, while the second will be delivered to Johnson City, Tenn., to help Hurricane Helene victims.
Baer directs this year’s Homecoming project. He oversaw a similar project in 2006, when South Adams Schools and the Berne community built five homes for families affected by Hurricane Katrina.
“Even though we haven’t experienced it, we love those who have. “And try to help out in any way we can,” FMC church elder Mike “Radar” Smith says.
Saturday’s build involved over 250 volunteers. Volunteers included churchgoers, families, local businesses, members of other churches, the Adams Central High School football team, and a group of Norwell High School construction trades students. Many young children and teenagers were also present to help with the construction.
“There’s not many times when you can build a house and change someone’s life,” says Norwell student Wyatt Goulet.
The finished frames were inscribed with scriptures and inspirational messages. Quinn Oakleaf, a Norwell student, signed one of the frames with the verse Colossians 3:23, which says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
“I think [the verse] is very important,” Oakleaf says. “It shows that we have to set an example of what Christ looks like for others in everything we do.”
Construction was expected to take until the middle of the afternoon, but the frames were finished in just a few hours and loaded onto delivery vehicles before noon. The walls will now be delivered to Paulding and Johnson City, where they will be completely assembled by volunteers from Habitat for Humanity and the Appalachian Service Project.
