NORWAY -- If you build it, they will come.

However, for one Orangeburg County congregation, they will come build it.

The "they" are Carpenters for Christ. The Alabama-based men's ministry arrived in Norway last week on a mission to assist the congregation of Homeward Bound Ministries in building their new church building. Dozens of men provided their expertise and man-power at no charge.

The Carpenters for Christ program was founded in 1987 by Jim Sutherland and Dick Byers, whose goals were to build God's church, build fellowship and build a greater spiritual relationship with God.

In August 1998, the team made its first mission trip to Missouri and built a 11,000-square-foot worship and education facility.

Since that time, Carpenters for Christ has built churches in Alabama, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Michigan, North Carolina and Tennessee.

According to Homeward Bound's Minister Bud Judy, the group dried the church in and completed as much work as possible in one week, working 12 hour days.

"They did their own cooking, provided their own tools, and all we had to do is provide a place for them to sleep," Judy said. He said several groups offered their facilities for lodging because the visiting carpenters wanted to stay together and not in a hotel.

Prior to the new building's construction, the congregation held its Sunday and Wednesday services at a nearby pond house, meeting first in May 2004.

"Me and my wife visited several churches in the area," Judy said. "We thought we needed to start a new church."

Starting with 14 people, the church now has 92 on roll.

"We don't want people to leave their own church. We just want to be another shining light with other churches," said the by-vocational Judy, who is employed by South Carolina Electric and Gas as a lineman.

He said people have been good to Homeward Bound Ministries.

"Other church people have come beside us 100 percent," he said.

According to church member Dwain Fogle, "we want to reach people who aren't attending elsewhere."

"We have a great mix (of people)," said Fogle's wife, Katie. "We're blessed with talent."

While Judy is in charge of the adult side of the ministry, his wife, Angie, is charge of the children.

Or, as she said, "they are in charge of me."

The nondenominational church is located at 4082 Norway Road, between Norway and Bolentown.

For more information, call Judy at 803-531-1699.

T&D Correspondent Rendy Boland can be reached with comments or story ideas by telephone at 803-535-2222. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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