Established in 2005 with the mission to bring life and hope to the east side of Detroit, LifeBUILDERS seeks to restore a community that had suffered the devastating effects of disinvestment for nearly 20 years. The ministry set their sights on the Regent Park neighborhood, which is bordered by Kelly Rd., Gratiot Ave, 8 Mile Rd. This community was blighted and crime-ridden, with no safe places to play and declining schools. The community needed hope, the youth needed opportunities, the seniors needed care, and someone needed to address the blighted conditions and advocate for the community residents. Then God began to move in the hearts of His people to pour out His love on the community. A building was purchased on Kelly Rd., and without being entirely sure of what to do, meetings started to be hosted there. The ministry grew as abandoned homes and buildings were purchased and rehabbed. And a small bus was donated so that children were able to be picked up and brought to meetings where they learned that God loves them. Over 15 years of effort, millions of dollars, 10’s of thousands of hours of volunteer help and God’s richest blessing have been poured into the community of Regent Park. As a result of our work there are new parks, an early childhood education facility, over 80 houses that have been rehabbed and either rented or sold, and youth continue to gather year-round to hear about this God who came to save them. What a story, what a Savior. The Regent Park community is now in the spotlight of future development and investment plans by the City of Detroit. People have hope, and now people actually want to live in the community. We believe that there will be a day sooner than we thought, but according to God’s perfect timing that all the residents of Regent Park will enjoy a peace that comes from our Heavenly Father, and they will look on and give God the praise for all He has done.
