A West Virginia church partnered with a ministry to start building two new homes as a part of a village for young men aging-out of the foster care system.
🔨 Trinity Assembly Builds Homes—and Hope—for Aging-Out Foster Youth
Every Father’s Day Weekend at Trinity Assembly of God in Fairmont-Whitehall, West Virginia is filled with service, sweat, and now, life-changing purpose. This year, the church set its sights on an urgent need: creating a safe haven for youth aging out of foster care—a group at high risk for homelessness and legal trouble.
With a heart for missions both local and global, Pastor Wayde Wilson and his congregation turned their outreach weekend into a construction mission. The project? Building two fully equipped tiny homes to be placed in New Vision Village, a faith-centered community designed for young men transitioning out of foster care.
🏘️ Building With Purpose
West Virginia has the highest percentage of children in foster care nationwide. Trinity Assembly has responded by championing foster families through The CAUSE Foster Ministry, providing support like meals, childcare, financial aid, and holiday gifts. With this foundation, helping build homes for foster youth was a natural next step.
Rather than travel to the site in Chestnut Ridge, the homes were built in Trinity’s parking lot to better coordinate volunteer efforts. Over two days, teams worked with incredible efficiency—producing results that would’ve taken months for New Vision’s staff to complete.
🧰 Community, Compassion, and a Touch of the Miraculous
The project wasn’t without challenges. As temperatures soared, several volunteers experienced heat-related issues, and one man went into cardiac arrest. Thanks to the quick actions of missions director Melissa Bourgeois, her EMT-in-training son, and Trinity’s safety team, he was revived on-site—a moment many called miraculous.
Beyond the build, what stood out was the spirit of unity. Volunteers bonded while raising walls and trusses, forming a community as they built one. Lead carpenter Tim Glover described it as “an honor to be part of.”
💬 A Village That Cares
New Vision Village doesn’t stop at housing. Half of its tiny homes will be occupied by individuals with “lived experience”—retired teachers, ministers, veterans—who will mentor residents, offering real-life wisdom and spiritual support. It’s a model designed not just to shelter, but to disciple.
Jenna Combs of Rural Compassion, who serves on New Vision’s board, calls it “discipleship in its best form, living life together.” The effort aims to rewrite futures for young men who might otherwise slip through the cracks at 18.
🙌 A Glimpse of the Kingdom
Reflecting on the experience, Glover summed it up beautifully: “We wanted to show them that there are people who love them and still care.”
With plans to build more homes next year, Trinity Assembly’s Father’s Day Weekend might just become the blueprint for how churches can create lasting change—one nail, one hug, and one prayer at a time.
