One Body. Many hands.
Houses for Healing is what happens when churches stop working alone and start carrying one another's burdens together.
many churches
We were never meant to do this alone.
Houses for Healing seeks to partner with local congregations, businesses, and individuals who desire to participate in local missions and outreach. These partners engage with patients and family members staying in the houses by providing food, friendship, transportation, prayer and more throughout the duration of their stay.
Brian Massey believes Houses for Healing was given by God as a place for unity to happen — congregations across denominations working together around something concrete, so the world can see Jesus in how His people love one another and love their neighbors.
"How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!"— Psalm 133:1
Prayer. Love. The hand-off. Personal involvement.
Prayer
People facing a potentially fatal diagnosis need prayer and encouragement. Fear of the unknown and fear of the struggle are often mountainous obstacles, and they need the Body of Christ to stand with them. The physical effects of intense treatment weigh on a person's ability — and even their will — to fight for their life. Prayer moves the hand of God and encourages people.
Loving Your Neighbor
As we have neighbors around our homes, we have neighbors around our towns and cities. Jesus said one of the most important things we can do is love our neighbor — and there is no better way than to help them in a time of need. Through these expressions, our neighbors won't only know that Abilene loves them; they'll feel it. Knowing you are loved is sustaining. Feeling that you are loved is invigorating.
The "Hand-Off"
Relay runners pass a baton from one teammate to the next. The Apostle Paul described our lives as a race, and as members of one team we take care in the passing of the baton. When a guest finishes treatment and goes home, their adopting church partners with the Lighthouse Community to put a net in place to catch them at home — so the love and care continue long after they leave Abilene.
Personal Involvement
Every family knows something of what it means to be sick. Jesus always healed, because people needed physical ministry so they could receive spiritual ministry. Sustaining the tiny houses — insurance, cleaning, maintenance and more — is vital to caring for the sick of the Big Country. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so every gift is tax-deductible.
The body works best when it works with itself.
At Houses for Healing we believe in John 17:21, which speaks of oneness and unity among believers in Jesus Christ. Here there is ample opportunity to work alongside other believers from different backgrounds, churches, races and ages. The Body of Christ is all believers — and the body works best when it is working with itself and not against itself.
That's why no single congregation "owns" this ministry. A Methodist church adopts one house, a Baptist church the next, a Church of Christ the next — alongside Foursquare and nondenominational fellowships, ministries, schools and local businesses. Volunteers who might never have met on a Sunday morning end up cooking in the same kitchen, praying over the same family, and becoming friends.
"…that they may all be one… so that the world may believe that you have sent me."— John 17:21
We encourage you to help be the light, sharing the love of God alongside fellow believers from every background — for the cause of Christ and His love, mercy and grace.
A tiny house community fostering unity in the Body of Messiah
How believers and churches come together around one simple act of care: a free place to stay.
▶ Watch the video
Adopt a house. Join a care team. Carry the burden together.
Adopting churches cover a house's ongoing needs and send teams to welcome guests, bring meals, give rides, clean between stays and pray. Smaller congregations can join a care team or partner with another church.