Church Building Construction

Building Churches

Helping build churches … a terrific opportunity for your church or group to make a major impact … shining a light in a very dark place….

…. by providing funds to build church buildings where they are badly needed

One of the biggest challenges for church planting in Karnataka is the dire need for church buildings. And with this challenge provide opportunities that come with great satisfaction and rewards. Almost without exception church planting begins in a believer’s home. Because KGM churches are mostly in rural impoverished areas, believers and pastors typically live in tiny, one-two room homes or huts. A typical room in which they can gather is usually no larger than 8’x10’ and often as small as 5’x5’. Needless to say not many people can meet in rooms that size. If that weren’t enough, there are two major barriers to meeting in homes in Karnataka.

First, it is illegal in the state of Karnataka to hold religious services anywhere other than in a registered church building. So when meeting in homes they must meet secretly and be extremely careful not to draw attention to themselves. Among other things this eliminates singing and playing praise & worship music which they love to do and which is a vital part of anyone’s church service.

Second, the impact of the caste system keeps Hindus from going in Christians’ homes. Although India has made some strides in breaking down caste barriers, the caste system remains alive and well. Becoming a Christian in India automatically puts one in the lowest caste even if they were in a higher caste before. Now this is where it gets interesting. Higher caste Hindus will not go into a lower caste person’s home, but they will go to a neutral facility (in this case a registered church building) with a lower caste person.

CTC looks to partners like you to provide funds and team up with the local KGM believers to build their church buildings. KGM pastors and believers provide all the labor except for skilled labor (e.g. electrical and plumbing) and funds for some of the materials.  CTC partners provide most of the funds to purchase the land and cover the cost of building materials and skilled labor.

The KGM prototype is a single story 20’x40’ prayer hall that can accommodate up to 140 people who sit on straw mats on the floor. A small attached 15’x20’ room on the back of the building provides housing for the pastor. This one room serves as bedroom, living room and kitchen. Two small 5’x5’ bathrooms are attached.

The amount needed to purchase land and materials and provide skilled labor (e.g. electrical) is approximately $50,000 depending on land cost. If built during the dry season construction time for this simple building is three months. Currently, nine of KGM’s eighteen church congregations need church buildings. One church building project is under construction and nearing completion and two are urgently needed:

N.R. Puram, Pastor Renchu – Through the generous support of some of our partners God provided funds to purchase land.  That transactions has been completed.

The pastor, his wife three children currently live in a tiny, woefully inadequate, three room apartment with poor toilet facilities.  The church building will contain a church hall and a parsonage which will provide adequate housing for the family.  The land has been purchase and funds are needed only for construction materials and plumbing and electrical skilled labor.  The believers will do all the other construction work themselves.

Yellapur, Pastor Emmanuel – a movement of the Holy Spirit is occurring in this area.  Not having a church building virtually blocks KGM’s efforts to take advantage of this opportunity.  A registered church building is badly needed.

CTC provides two ways you or your church can participate in this exciting opportunity:

 You, your church or group can partner with a pastor and his congregation and supply all the needed funds for their church building. This is particularly rewarding especially if members of your group can travel to India to meet the pastor and church members, participate in ground breaking and then return to dedicate the completed building. The friendship and bond you will form with these brothers and sisters in Christ is priceless! The pictures you have of them and their prized church building will warm your heart for a lifetime! Check this out & imagine it being your church! 

Or, you can make donations of any amount to our designated church building fund.

If you are considering supporting this initiative please read the following:

I/we would like to contribute to build a particular church building or make a general contribution(s) to this fund Click here to donate