Millard Fuller

A Man Who Had It All

Millard Fuller was a man who had it all – or so it seemed. By the age of 29, he had built a highly successful business in direct marketing and sales, earning him millions of dollars. He enjoyed the trappings of wealth: fancy cars, a speedboat, a lakeside cabin, and a lifestyle that many would envy. Yet, despite his professional success, his personal life was unraveling.

His relentless pursuit of business success left little room for anything else, and his marriage to his wife, Linda, was falling apart. In a moment of profound clarity, the Fullers realized that their wealth and accomplishments weren’t bringing them closer to what truly mattered. Something had to change.

FROM HFH – Millard and Linda Fuller experienced tremendous worldly success at a young age.

Starting Over

In 1968, Millard and Linda made a radical decision to give away their wealth. They sold their possessions—the cars, the boat, the house—and left their lucrative lifestyle behind. Seeking a fresh start, they moved to Koinonia Farm, a small Christian community in Georgia founded by Clarence Jordan, where they were inspired by a vision of faith in action.

At Koinonia, they began building simple homes for families who lacked decent shelter. Millard coined the term “the theology of the hammer” to describe their work – combining the spiritual act of loving your neighbor with the tangible act of swinging a hammer.

Their approach was unique. Homes were built with donated money, volunteer labor, and a principle Millard called “sweat equity” (if you have ever heard that phrase before, you have Millard to thank for popularizing it!). Families in need didn’t just receive a home; they helped build it, investing their own labor alongside volunteers. This idea of partnership fostered dignity and community.

FROM HFH – Volunteers pitching in to build a new house.

From a Few Houses to a Global Movement

What began with a handful of houses in Georgia quickly grew into something extraordinary. Millard and Linda formalized their efforts by founding Habitat for Humanity International in 1976.

One house became ten, then entire neighborhoods, then entire communities. Habitat for Humanity expanded to over 100 countries, providing shelter to more than a million people. Former U.S. Presidents joined in, picking up hammers and working alongside volunteers.

Yet for Millard, it was never about personal glory. He saw building homes as a way to bring God’s kingdom to earth, where love took the shape of sturdy walls, secure roofs, and safe places to sleep. For him, it was a tangible way to answer Jesus’ call to love our neighbors – not just with words, but with our hands.

FROM TUSCALOOSA NEWS – President Jimmy Carter was an outspoken advocate for and indefatigable volunteer with Habitat for Humanity

The Theology of the Hammer

Millard Fuller’s life reminds us that love isn’t just an emotion – it’s an action. The theology of the hammer challenges us to express our faith in concrete, practical ways. It’s about meeting people where they are and addressing their needs, not just their spiritual ones but their physical and emotional ones too.

You don’t need to give away all your possessions or build homes in 100 countries to live out this calling. It starts with the work of your hands and the love in your heart – showing up, offering help, and being part of God’s kingdom in the here and now.