Home Foreclosures
Finding Assistance
Q. I read your article on the mortgage meltdown and it helped me to understand what is happening. But, my Mom and my brother are losing their homes. My Mom is 81 years old and my brother is 47. Neither are Christians. What can they do?
Answer:
Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses & Madrassas
This is a time period when I think the Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses got it right. I have heard they have a strong support system to help their unfortunate. Sadly, even the Moslems provide somewhat of an answer through their terrorist-training Madrassas – which also happen to provide free education and limited social services to their less fortunate members.
Dump the Prosperity-Teaching
Let this be a lesson! Shame on us!
We in the evangelical churches must think about starting stronger networking and assistance programs for those who are unemployed and losing homes – fast!
In fact, let’s dump the prosperity-teaching churches for those who help our brothers and sisters in need. From a Biblical perspective let’s support our local Rescue Missions:
“If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,’ and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?” (James 2:15-16, NASB).
Websites for Assistance
Here is a list of websites to assist those facing foreclosure:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development –
Offers a list of HUD-approved housing & counseling agencies. Ph. 1-800-569-4287. www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/nrhci.cfm
Institute for Foreclosure Legal Assistance –
Links to newly funded legal services (including AARPs Legal Counsel for the Elderly). www.foreclosurelegalassistance.org.
Mortgage Bankers Association –
Consumer information & links. www.homeloanlearningcenter.com (then click on “Foreclosure Prevention Resource Center”).
NeighborWorks America –
Offers foreclosure counseling programs by state or Zip Code. Ph. (202) 220-2300.
AARP Bulletin
A sidebar in the “AARP Bulletin,” April, 2008, Vol. 49, No.3, suggests:
“If you’re about to lose your home, filing for bankruptcy can stop the foreclosure process and allow you more time to try to work out a plan to keep the home. Get legal advice from an attorney specializing in bankruptcy.”
The sidebar also notes that if you’re facing foreclosure, “Do not pay doctor bills or credit card debt ahead of the mortgage. Keep mortgage payments current if possible.” (Pg. 14).
(It may be possible to find this article online at: www.aarp.org/bulletin).
Bring the Problem to your Church
We encourage our readers to bring these issues to your church. We must not sit back and do nothing when many people – including the elderly who can no longer work – are losing their homes.