February 1, 2005

Fullers fired from housing ministry they founded
By John Pierce
Executive Editor
Baptists Today

AMERICUS, Ga. — Millard and Linda Fuller were immediately dismissed Jan. 31 from their jobs with Habitat for Humanity International, the worldwide Christian housing ministry they founded and led for 29 years.

The organization’s executive committee charged the Fullers with being “divisive and disruptive to the organization’s work” through their public comments, according to a press release.

The Fullers and the Habitat board of directors have been in conflict for several months over a transition of leadership. Directors wanted Millard Fuller to retire as president this month when he turned 70. Fuller wanted to remain at the helm until the 200,000th house was dedicated later this year.

The issue seemed resolved in October when it was announced that Fuller would become “founder president” and serve with his wife, Linda, as ambassadors for the ministry while daily operations would be conducted by managing director Paul Leonard.

“I will remain very engaged in the ministry as a spokesperson and strategist, and will help in every other way I can to strengthen and expand the work of Habitat for Humanity throughout the United States and around the world,” Fuller said at that time.

However, board chairman Rey Ramsey, a Baltimore attorney, said in the Jan. 31 release that the board tried repeatedly to resolve differences with the Fullers confidentially, but that the Fullers publicly criticized the board’s efforts.

“In every instance, the Fullers ultimately have rejected or been openly critical of any and all steps taken toward appropriate compromise,” said Ramsey. “The board must therefore fulfill its fiduciary obligation to the organization and our moral responsibility to all those who share in Habitat’s mission. No issue, no person, no debate can be permitted to compromise the integrity and work of this extraordinary ministry,”
According to the release, former President Jimmy Carter expressed his continuing personal friendship with the Fullers as well as his support of Habitat for Humanity International. He will serve as an honorary chair of the search committee to find Fuller’s successor.

In response to his termination, Fuller told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “I devoted 29 years of my life to this — morning, noon and night — and then these people say that they can't stand any criticism.”

Fuller admitted to the newspaper that he is “a hard charger” and “sometimes damages relationships,” particularly with the Habitat board.

In a personal statement released Feb. 1, Fuller called their firings an “extreme decision,” but urged continued support for Habitat.

“Habitat is my life work,” said Fuller. “I do not want to harm the ministry in any way. I applaud President Carter for his pledge to continue his involvement. I urge others to do the same.”

Interim CEO Leonard also asked Habitat supporters, staff and volunteers to stay on mission despite the conflict and change.

“I know the importance of this work and of our mission,” said Leonard. “With our feet firmly planted as a Christian homebuilding ministry and with our eyes firmly focused on the future, we will not falter.”

The Fullers started Habitat in 1976. The housing ministry, that partners with qualified families that purchase their homes at no interest and no profit, now has affiliates nationwide and in 100 countries.

(John Pierce is executive editor of Baptists Today, an autonomous, national news journal based in Macon, Ga.)