FRANKLIN, Tenn. – In celebration of GMA (Gospel Music Association) Week, where the association hosts and highlights the work of Christian artists who put their faith into action, the Gospel Music Association and Habitat for Humanity have come together to demonstrate what faith could do by helping building houses for families who don’t have a place to live

Artists supported by the GMA, record label staff, GMA staff and Habitat for Humanity have gathered since Monday, April 12 to build houses. The project, ‘Faith Works!’ will last until tomorrow, April 16.

“The GMA is honored to be partnering with Habitat for Humanity on this worthwhile project,” said John W. Styll, president of the GMA. “We look forward to many artists and their families and friends participating in the April build as we believe it is fundamental to our industry’s mission that our music is authenticated by actions that embody the gospel.”

The primary goal of ‘Faith Works!’ is this: to provide participants the opportunity to express their Christian beliefs, putting their faith into action to house a deserving family.

The faithful house builders are not simply building houses -- their work contains deeper meaning than that -- which is to build the family’s future at the same time giving a new life and a new hope.

This week, the house will be dedicated to the family of the Khadartsevs. Oleg and Oksana Khadartsev and their four children, emigrated from Ukraine to Tennessee in 2000 to avoid persecution for what they believe as Christians and to provide a better future for themselves and their children.

“People did not like Christians,” said Oksana. “Every time we had church, the police would come in and break up the church. If they caught people preaching or singing or teaching children, they issued a ticket.”

Currently, the family is living in government-subsidized housing but soon they will move into their new Habitat house.