Many churches serving in foreign mission fields face significant financial barriers when it comes to establishing a permanent place of worship. In many cases, congregations simply lack the resources to purchase, rent, or construct buildings suitable for regular gatherings. Even when renting is an option, the high cost often becomes a long-term burden, preventing these churches from saving the capital needed to buy land or begin building a space of their own. As a result, many believers are left without a stable and secure environment in which to freely and consistently worship.

In several nations, followers of Christ still endure serious persecution—whether from hostile governments, societal pressure, or even their own families. In such places, the act of renting a space for worship can itself become a challenge. Landlords may be unwilling to lease to Christian groups or may do so under threat of reprisal. This forces many churches to operate in secrecy, often gathering in small groups within private homes. The limitations of these arrangements mean that entire congregations cannot always come together in one place for mutual encouragement, teaching, and worship, which hinders their spiritual growth, weakens community bonds, and makes it more difficult to disciple new believers and maintain unity within the body of Christ.

In addition to these challenges, poverty remains a constant barrier. Many churches, especially those in rural or underserved areas, do not have the financial means to purchase land or construct buildings. Their need is not just for spiritual growth but also for tangible support to help create a space where that growth can happen freely and safely—a place where believers can gather without fear, nurture their faith, raise their children in the knowledge of Christ, and serve their communities with boldness and consistency.

TEL International recognizes these urgent needs. While committed to planting Bible-believing churches around the world, TEL also seeks to stand with these congregations in practical ways. One of the ways we do this is by helping to provide funding so that local believers can secure land and begin building worship spaces that are appropriate for their communities. Through this kind of partnership, we aim to equip and empower local churches to establish a lasting presence and flourish in their mission, even in the face of hardship.

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