Author Bettie Youngs said it was personally enlightening to write a book about the lives of Millard and Linda Fuller, co-founders of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) and later The Fuller Center for Housing.

Youngs and the Fullers talked about the book, “The House that Love Built,” at a book signing Thursday at the Windsor Hotel. Youngs said some executives at HFHI deeply expressed their opposition to the book before it was even published, but she decided to publish it anyway.

“I was thorough in reporting the events that led to the Fullers’ controversial dismissal from Habitat in 2005,” said Youngs. She said the Fullers knew after their departure from HFHI that their work to house people in need all around the world wasn’t finished, so they found a new organization, The Fuller Center.

Youngs said the Fullers told her that HFHI was never simply meant to be an “organization.” But it experienced such monumental growth because it was a “ministry” and a “movement.”

Youngs said the HFHI board of directors lost this vision, which put them and the Fullers at irreconcilable odds. She said the Fullers are two of the most important people of the 21st century, and they reshaped the way service organizations serve people.

“Millard and Linda see people as their brothers and sisters.” Youngs said the Fullers truly feel a personal connection to the people they help. She said a movie is currently in production about the life of the Fullers.

Millard Fuller expressed at the book signing his deep appreciation to the many people who have supported his and his wife’s vision and work throughout the years.

Linda Fuller took a few moments to talk about the profound and life-changing effect their spiritual teacher, the late Clarence Jordan, had on their lives.