Reporter-News photo by Thomas Metthe Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity, tells a story to Bill Tillman, right, and others sitting at his table before the start of Connecting Caring Communities' event, "Sweet Evening with Millard Fuller," Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008, at First Central Presbyterian Church.

Reporter-News photo by Thomas Metthe Millard Fuller

Reporter-News photo by Thomas Metthe Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity, talks about Habitat for Humanity during Connecting Caring Communities' event, "Sweet Evening with Millard Fuller," Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008, at First Central Presbyterian Church.

A Georgia sharecropper's son who started an organization that has built a million and a half homes -- so far -- spoke to about 60 people at First Central Presbyterian Church on Tuesday.

Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity International, was the main speaker at "A 'Sweet' Evening with Millard Fuller," sponsored by Connecting Caring Communities.

"Go as far as you can go and God will take you farther," Fuller said. That philosophy of faith helped him start the organization with no money, in a room with no chairs and with the goal of building a million homes for needy families. The organization has succeeded in that goal and -- aptly it would seem -- is going further.

Habitat for Humanity helps families secure low-interest loans and helps them build or renovate a home for themselves. The family is expected to work on the home along with Habitat personnel and volunteers before moving in. Miller summarized the organization's purpose as "demonstrating God's love by building houses."

Fuller contrasted the volunteers who give their time with what he considers the country's biggest problem -- greed.

'"He who has the most stuff wins,' that isn't true. He who has the most friends wins," he said.

Fuller has since started a similar organization, Fuller Center for Housing. He has been asked why he would start a second organization seemingly in direct competition with Habitat for Humanity. He sees no conflict.

"It will become a competition when there is a shortage of need," he said. "Maybe we can compete over the last house."

Fuller recalled phoning a woman to tell her she had been accepted as a client. The woman was so happy about getting a new home that she jumped straight up -- forgetting that she was sitting on the bottom of a set of bunk beds. After recovering her senses, she called back and thanked him repeatedly.

Fuller is in Abilene as a guest of Abilene Christian University, where he will be speaking in chapel today.