Building Homes and So Much More
HOW GOD’S GRACE EMPOWERS GARY NAIM TO SERVE THE KINGDOM
Gary Naim, Owner of Petros Homes, studied Business at Cleveland’s own John Carroll University. After high school (Lutheran West, 1986), pursuing a career in education or sports coaching was always of interest to him – being a college athlete himself this route seemed appealing. God ultimately, however, led Gary to study business. When graduation rolled around, his entrepreneurial childhood neighbor and friend Sam Petros – and now business partner – invited him to work alongside him in his homebuilding business.
Gary has a homegrown appreciation for sowing deep into the local community, and for 33 years he has put this belief into action. Petros Homes has built over 3,000 homes within a 10 square mile concentration of Northeast Ohio. “Everything we do is local,” says Gary. “Our team is local, we build locally, and it is really rewarding investing directly into your neighborhoods and communities. That is really what drew me to Building Hope in the City.”
Gary has contributed more than generously to the efforts of the Homes at Hope Commons, the two 14-unit campuses soon-to-be constructed on the lots at West 56th and 61st streets in Cleveland’s Stockyards neighborhood. Gary and Petros Homes have greatly assisted in the pre-development work on the new builds, architectural design for the houses, and worked with the other volunteer construction professionals alongside Jeff Stredney, BHITC’s Director of Social Enterprise). “Gary has been an absolute anchor in this process and has really helped to bring the dream of this build into a reality,” says Jeff. “Not only has he gone to great lengths in his contributions, but his generosity, character, and attitude have been deeply encouraging to me and our entire team for years now.”
“Serving Jesus and His purpose, helping underprivileged and underserved people achieve something greater, that is something I firmly believe in,” expresses Gary. “As a Christian, you want to honor and serve God with the gifts He has given you. I used to think the only way to do that was as a pastor, missionary or teacher, but there are so many ways. Through my relationship with BHITC, God has given me the opportunity to further Kingdom work as a homebuilder.”
God has created humanity in His image, however everyone is uniquely crafted with different strengths, talents and giftings. 1 Peter 4:10 says, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” God is not limited by our differences; rather, He uses them to work through us to reflect His endless beauty and serve one another.
“To be the hands and feet of Jesus means to be different things,” says Gary. “The beauty of this project is everyone bringing their different talents to create something really purposeful and neat.”
The Homes at Hope Commons will provide stable and supportive living arrangements for future tenants. When asked what excites him most in regards to his contributions to the project, Gary responded, “Providing someone a home that is affordable to them, that way someone has an opportunity to live out their dream.” Not only will the homes be made available at below-market rent rates and bring restoration to the neighborhood, they will also provide stability that allows tenant families to move forward with their life goals beyond the basic need of housing.
As children of God, we all have a place to call home in the family of believers. God intentionally created us with diverse perspectives, personalities and strengths. It is by His design that we are all unique brothers and sisters; we all belong in His home no matter how similar or different we appear to be. God works through us to benefit and uplift others, and bring glory to His Mighty Name. When we say yes to His will and make ourselves available to Him, just as Gary has done, the Lord honors our simple obedience. We eagerly await the completion of the Homes at Hope Commons in anticipation of how God will bless the tenants who occupy them and the community as a whole.
