Posted Wednesday, December 16, 2020 2:30 pm

By GWEN SWIGER

Associate Editor

At the dedication of their homes, new homeowners with Habitat for Humanity in Cleveland receive a free Bible thanks to Pastor Bob Zwarych.

Pastor Z, as he is called, counts it a blessing to be able to present the new homeowners with a Bible and prayer at this important time in their life.

The Bible holds “the keys to life to God’s work,” Pastor Z said.

“Bob Zwarych, or Bob Z, as we like to call him is a truly special and important part of Habitat’s history. We are an ecumenical Christian organization, and an important part of our dedication ceremony is providing the gift of a Bible to each new homeowner,” noted Tammy Johnson, executive director of Habitat. 

“Since, home number 59 Bob has purchased and donated 81 Bibles to every family. He always speaks from the heart, and the gift he brings touches our families and whole Habitat team in a deep and profound way. Thank you, Bob, for sharing this lasting gift in such a special way,” she said.

Pastor Z explained he became involved in Habitat with a youth group from his church. 

“We wanted to help,” he said. They asked and received permission to bring lunch to the work crews. 

When he was asked to provide a new Bible to homeowners, his response was “absolutely.”

The first Bible presented was the first house at Century Village, Pastor Z said. “It was neat. I usually quote scripture and say a prayer for the family.”

He has since provided more Bibles to homeowners in Century Village, South Gate and Victory Cove. He plans to continue giving Bibles as long as they ask him.

He was unable to provide a Bible for the last home dedication due exposure to COVID-19 by a family member.

Originally from new Jersey, Pastor Z came to Tennessee in 1978. The World’s Fair site was under construction in Knoxville. The fair was to be held in 1982. 

He came down at his brother’s urging to find work on building the fair. 

“I had always like Tennessee,” he said. “I never got hired or worked on the World’s Fair. I worked in an art gallery. I did photography, and did picture frame building.” 

He went from 12 years as a commercial picture framing supervisor to operating is own picture framing business.

“I had always believed in God. I knew about religion, but I didn’t know about a relationship with Jesus until I came to Tennessee. … I didn’t become a Christian until I was 33,” he said.

“I started volunteering as a Sunday school teacher. 

“I applied for the position as a youth pastor at the church we were going to in Ooltewah. I went from youth minister to associate pastor at one church for three years. Then I became pastor at Joy Christian Fellowship,” he explained.

For 13 years, he has been the pastor at Joy Christian Fellowship, which meets at Walker Valley High School’s auditorium.

“They have been good to us,” he said of WVHS.

He also serves as a chaplain for the Cleveland Police Department. 

He encourages everyone to experience a Habitat for Humanity dedication.

“I want you to experience what a community thing this is … the mayors and different officials show up,”

 “I may tell them this is Cleveland, Tenn. You may have three or four Bibles, but this will be a reminder to you of the day you received the keys to your house,” he said.

Pastor Z noted these homeowners have to qualify to get into the Habitat program. They also have to put in sweat equity to fulfill those qualifications. 

“These homes are not free,” he said.

Pastor Z noted the dedications are an “emotional time for many homeowners as they share their story. It is often a struggle with emotion to get through.”

One dedication that had a deep impact on him was one for Victor’s home. 

Victor had struggled with substance abuse and an inability to hold a steady job. 

He said as Victor shared his story, he kept glancing at the house. Victor said, “I have to keep looking back to make sure it’s real. This is my house.”

Pastor Z said, “I remember when I heard his name was Victor, I said you are a victor. You are a victor in life because you have overcome all these obstacles and become a homeowner and a responsible parent. … That was meaningful to me.” 

“I encourage people to volunteer. There are so many nonprofits you can be a part of, but Habitat is such a great organization. It is run with biblical values,” he noted. “It is a neat community thing.

“I enjoy it. To me it’s an honor to be asked to give God’s Word to a family and to pray for a family.”

Pastor Z noted, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who labor, labor in vain. The Lord does build these houses. … It is a wonderful thing. It is an honor to be included in these dedication services.”