Casas
por Cristo is Spanish for “Houses because of Christ.”
Casas por Cristo is a non-denominational Christian ministry started
in 1993 to address the needs of the poor in Mexico. We have formed
a partnership between the churches of the United States, Canada, and
Mexico to serve the needs of Mexican families, following the example
of Jesus who said, “The Son of Man came not to be served, but
to serve” (Mark 10:45). Working through churches in Mexico,
we provide service opportunities for groups who want to help those
in need. Our Motto, “Building Homes, Changing Lives” comes
to life in this partnership.
The Problem
In
Juarez, one of the most prominent problems is the lack of decent and
affordable housing with tens of thousands of families in need of homes.
Families who come to Juarez first build their homes by using heavy
cardboard, scrap lumber, and other discarded material. Over a period
of two to three years, families may be able to scrape together enough
money to build a home. It takes about a day’s wages to purchase
a dozen cement blocks and almost all of four months wages to build
a 12’ x 12’ home.
The Solution
Casas
por Cristo has a committee of over 80 pastors in Juarez who seek out
families in need of homes. A typical applicant is a family of four
with a weekly income of $53 who lives in a cardboard and shipping
pallet house with a dirt floor. The pastors meet monthly to review
and approve applications. Families are required to own a suitable
lot, and provide water for the construction process, but there are
no other prerequisites. Following the committee’s approval,
Casas por Cristo goes to work to recruit a team to do the building.
In three to four days, the team turns the empty lot into a new home
for a family. Click here to see
how many homes we've built over the years.
A Partnership
The
homes are a gift from the team to the family on behalf of the local
church. This outward sign of Jesus’ love illustrates the care
Christians have for the poor. Each home is an outward sign of the
partnership between the teams who build and the churches in Juarez
who sponsor the families. By sleeping and eating in the churches in
Juarez, teams demonstrate that they are there to serve, not to be
served. This spirit of support for the local church and an attitude
of service make the experience richer.
Member of Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability ECFA.
Casas
por Cristo is Spanish for “Houses because of Christ.”
Casas por Cristo is a non-denominational Christian ministry started
in 1993 to address the needs of the poor in Mexico. We have formed
a partnership between the churches of the United States, Canada, and
Mexico to serve the needs of Mexican families, following the example
of Jesus who said, “The Son of Man came not to be served, but
to serve” (Mark 10:45). Working through churches in Mexico,
we provide service opportunities for groups who want to help those
in need. Our Motto, “Building Homes, Changing Lives” comes
to life in this partnership.
In
Juarez, one of the most prominent problems is the lack of decent and
affordable housing with tens of thousands of families in need of homes.
Families who come to Juarez first build their homes by using heavy
cardboard, scrap lumber, and other discarded material. Over a period
of two to three years, families may be able to scrape together enough
money to build a home. It takes about a day’s wages to purchase
a dozen cement blocks and almost all of four months wages to build
a 12’ x 12’ home.
Casas
por Cristo has a committee of over 80 pastors in Juarez who seek out
families in need of homes. A typical applicant is a family of four
with a weekly income of $53 who lives in a cardboard and shipping
pallet house with a dirt floor. The pastors meet monthly to review
and approve applications. Families are required to own a suitable
lot, and provide water for the construction process, but there are
no other prerequisites. Following the committee’s approval,
Casas por Cristo goes to work to recruit a team to do the building.
In three to four days, the team turns the empty lot into a new home
for a family. Click 
The
homes are a gift from the team to the family on behalf of the local
church. This outward sign of Jesus’ love illustrates the care
Christians have for the poor. Each home is an outward sign of the
partnership between the teams who build and the churches in Juarez
who sponsor the families. By sleeping and eating in the churches in
Juarez, teams demonstrate that they are there to serve, not to be
served. This spirit of support for the local church and an attitude
of service make the experience richer.