Albany church sponsors county house
By Sam Waller
Houses for Healing is constructing a tiny house to serve Shackelford County residents who need a place to stay while receiving medical care in Abilene.
Houses for Healing, founded by Brian and Karen Massey, is a ministry to engage the body of Christ in caring for the sick, taking in the stranger and loving one’s neighbor.
“Just like Jesus said to do,” Brian Massey said.
Houses for Healing has been working to build 20 tiny houses a mile north of Hendrick Hospital’s north campus near Hardin-Simmons University. Each of 19 houses is designated for a county in the Big Country area, with the 20th to serve military veterans.
“Each tiny house is adopted by a local church which ‘loves on’ whoever is staying in the house,” Massey said. “That expression of love includes providing meals, helping with transportation to medical appointments, offering a kind heart to listen, and praying for the patients and/or their families..”
The Shackelford County house has been adopted by Albany Methodist Church. The Shackelford County house is being constructed at 3065 Hickory St. in Abilene.
“Houses for Healing and Albany Methodist Church invite the churches of Shackelford County to participate in writing scriptures and prayers on the walls of this house,” Massey said.
Instead of asking Albany residents to drive to Abilene to show their support by signing the lumber, Massey delivered two-by-fours to Albany Methodist Church for distribution to the churches.
“I encourage everyone to put a personal mark on this house by blessing it with their favorite Bible verse, prayer or words of encouragement for the guests who stay there,” Massey said. “Those studs will be nailed to the existing frame so the guests are surrounded by prayer and encouragement from their neighbors. Some churches incorporate the two-by-fours into a service, letting folks sign them and pray over them as part of worship.”
If interested in participating, contact the Albany Methodist Nurture Committee at 325-762-4107 by Monday, Aug. 1 to arrange to get a two-by-four. The two-by-fours will need to be returned to Albany Methodist Church by Monday, Aug. 15.
