Skilled Builders Volunteer for a Cause Close to Their Hearts at a Glasgow House of Worship

After a long work week, 22-year construction veteran Jurgen Johnson is putting on his hard hat again this weekend – but this time for a cause close to his heart.

The Glasgow resident has spent many months volunteering his organizational skills to help staff construction volunteers for the remodel of the Glasgow Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. Now that the project is in full swing Johnson, who is skilled in multiple trades, is onsite every weekend with plenty to do.

"While the trades work is the same, the motive is different. This is not for material gain but for the benefit of people. It's a very satisfying experience," said Johnson.

While the U.S. faces a worker shortage that Associated Builders and Contractors' (ABC) Chief Economist Anirban Basu called "the most acute challenge facing the construction industry," volunteers have kept Jehovah's Witnesses' building projects moving forward.

"Building places for true worship has been accomplished by volunteers since the days of Moses," said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesperson for the Christian denomination best known for its door-to-door ministry. "They gave with a willing heart then and they do the same today. Tireless volunteers make these projects possible."

When the Witnesses moved their world headquarters from Brooklyn, N.Y., upstate to the town of Warwick in recent years, the building project drew some 27,000 volunteers from across all 50 states.

Among them was Tyler Ross, 36, who began volunteering on Witness construction projects alongside his father at a young age. "I always loved going to work on something I knew would have a positive impact in the community," said Ross, "so when I first heard about the Warwick project, I was very excited."

Over the course of some three years, Ross drove the 50-hour round-trip from Houston, Texas, to the construction site in Warwick three times to volunteer his carpentry skills.

"It was hard work, but the cheerful spirit of the workers made it enjoyable," said Ross. "There were people from so many different cultures and backgrounds, all working together in harmony. It was really something to witness."

Years later, Ross is still in touch with several fellow volunteers he met during his total four and a half months on the project.

"Every crew I worked with felt like instant family," he said. "I made memories and friendships I'll cherish for the rest of my life."

Johnson expressed a similar sentiment about working on the Kingdom Hall in Glasgow. "It's a wonderful environment to be a part of, one of unity and teamwork. People are happy, in a good mood, smiling, even when there may be a challenge."

Over the past 20 years, Johnson has volunteered on other Kingdom Hall construction projects around Montana and several other states, even Puerto Rico.

"They have all been similar: a happy, united atmosphere. That is the reason I look forward to and continue making myself available for this work," said Johnson. "The friendships made are one of the greatest rewards."

Since construction began in May, hundreds of Witness volunteers - young and old, skilled and unskilled - have come to Glasgow from across the state of Montana, North and South Dakota, Wyoming, Washington, Nebraska and Alaska.

A construction project of this scale brings more than visitors to the community. It has an economic impact as well. Supplies are regularly purchased from area businesses and construction volunteers stay locally supporting hotels, RV parks and restaurants.

The Glasgow project is slated for completion this summer.

For more information about Jehovah's Witnesses, their history, beliefs and construction activities, visit their official website, jw.org, with content available in more than 1,000 languages.