Meet the founders...

Once living the “good life”, the “American dream”, the Johnson’s, after successful business careers, were faced with a decision as to what to do with the rest of their lives. A simple decision to help serve Thanksgiving dinner at a nearby Detroit rescue mission set them on the road less traveled and to a fullness of life far beyond anything they had ever expected.

The story started once they said “Yes, I’ll do it” when they had often said “That doesn’t work for me, or let me think about it”.  Larry started working with at-risk youth in a job training program.  Marilyn, his spouse, had to encourage him more than once to stay with it as he found it way more difficult and heart breaking than he had expected.  Marilyn decided to give herself to working with women in a drug rehabilitation center. She was certain she was called there and she was relentless in her efforts to be accepted and serve.  Her persistence was rewarded. 

That was where it all started, and has nearly 20 years later their ministry has evolved into what is today called LifeBUILDERS.  Who would have thought.  In fact, not many!!  Friends and family both shook their heads as the Johnson’s committed more and more of their life and resources to the work.  Funny story, along the way was their son David actually told them that at one point that he felt as if they had lost their mind when they moved into the underserved Detroit neighborhood where they were serving.  

There are so many stories along the way, that could be added .  Maybe we will write about some day, but at the end of the day we will just be satisfied to give God the glory. After all, it really is all about the efforts that the Lord will go to in order to demonstrate His love and the fact that He delights in taking the most unlikely workers and do the most miraculous things. 

You will most likely agree that the transformation of this neighborhood is nothing short of a miracle if you take the time to check out our page describing the community. It is our hope that once you see how far the Lord has taken this community, that you will be stirred up in faith and praise towards Him!