Supporting a new church plant doesn’t mean turning your back on your current church.
Church plants exist to expand the kingdom, not subtract from it. God’s kingdom isn’t a zero-sum game with winners and losers—both new and established churches can thrive together. The body of Christ isn’t in competition with itself, and so, there’s no reason to feel torn between the two.
Here’s how you can make a meaningful impact via supporting a church plant while staying rooted in your current local church.
1. If You Can Only Do One Thing, Do This
St. Patrick wasn’t first choice. By his own admission, there were many more learned and qualified than him. Yet it’s Patrick, not them, who is celebrated the world over as the greatest missionary to ever set foot on Irish shores.
“Not by power, nor by might, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord. (Zechariah 4:6, NIV)
As a preacher, I know this to be true. My most polished sermons—the ones I labor over—have sometimes left people unmoved. Yet the rushed messages, put together in the middle of life’s chaos, are often the ones that stir people’s hearts the most.
It’s a humbling reminder: Kingdom work has never depended on human effort alone—it has always been in God’s hands.
So, if you truly care about the team planting the church and the people they will reach, pray.
Your real concern isn’t measured by how often you say you care, but by how often you bring their needs before God.
The greatest and most effective thing you can do for a church plant isn’t giving money or volunteering—it’s praying for them. Not as an afterthought, but with intentionality.
Here’s how you can be methodical about it:
- Sign up for their newsletter so you can pray for specific needs.
- Set a dedicated prayer time—perhaps on the day their updates arrive—to pray and even fast for them.
Even the great apostle Paul begged for prayer to strengthen his evangelism:
And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. (Colossians 4:3-4, NIV)
If Paul needed prayer, how much more do current church planters and their launch teams? Pray. It’s the one thing that makes all the difference.
2. The One Thing You Can Do Right Now to Make a Huge Impact
My wife got a surprise hello from a total stranger in the middle of Galway City. Naturally, this freaked her out. It was dark, drizzling, and she had her hoodie up—yet this person greeted her by name. What gives?
She racked her brain trying to place the face, but nothing came to mind.
Then it hit her. The person did know her—but they had never met. At least, not in person.
My wife occasionally posts updates online about the church plant, and that’s how this person knew her and what she was up to.
That’s the power of social media.
I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. (3 John 1:13-14, NIV)
Nothing surpasses face-to-face interaction, but initial connections are increasingly made online before becoming in-person relationships.
In 2025, our “pen and ink” is digital ink on social media platforms.
And here’s what we often forget in our criticism of social media: views represent people. If 20 people see a post, that’s 20 individuals who get to hear the message of Jesus, and hopefully get their lives changed.
So, what can you do right now to support church plants?
Simple. Share this article . Then come back to finish reading the rest of the article after.
3. How to Fund a Church Plant Without Spending a Cent
Money, by itself, is worthless.
I carry a $25 billion note from 2008 Zimbabwe in my wallet as a reminder of this fact. The value of money isn’t in the paper it’s printed on but in what it can provide.
A church plant needs money to:
- Hire solicitors, accountants, and website developers
- Rent venues and purchase equipment
These are just a few of the many expenses that require funds—not because money itself is special, but because of the goods and services it can buy.
Your Skills Are Just as Valuable as Money
Maybe in your day job, you’re a solicitor, an accountant, or a website developer, or perhaps you own a venue that could be used for church gatherings. By offering your skills, expertise, or resources, you can directly support the church plant—without money ever changing hands.
And yet, the value you provide is just as real and impactful as if you had Revoluted money via your phone.
Donating Equipment Can Make a Huge Difference
Beyond services, church plants need practical tools for ministry. If you have a spare camera, microphone, speakers, or other tech gear, donating these items can save the church thousands and help them reach more people. Every gift, big or small, frees up resources for other mission-critical needs.
Your Presence Can Be a Gift Too
Church planting is hard work. There will be discouraging moments—“Elijah moments”—when the team feels isolated or overwhelmed:
I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.(1 Kings 19:10, NIV)
You can give more than money—you can give your presence:
- Take a weekend trip to visit the church plant.
- Encourage the team, participate in outreach, and witness their progress.
A short visit can bring a powerful morale boost to the launch team.
Your skills, presence, and generosity—whether through your expertise, donated equipment, or a simple visit—are all gifts that can fuel a church plant’s mission without requiring a financial contribution.
4. Even from Afar, Your Impact Can Still Be Felt
No-one in their right mind starts a church in Ireland for the money.
If financial security were the goal, you’d be better off taking an entry position at McDonald’s and working your way up the corporate ladder.
Like any new venture, church plants face an uphill battle—nearly 90% of new churches don’t make it past their fifth year.
Church ministry isn’t a career; it’s a calling. You don’t do it for the money.
Yet, one of the biggest reasons people hesitate to support church plants (or even their local church) is financial skepticism. The assumption? “They’re just after my money.”
That’s not true. But here’s what is true: money is a tool to extend your impact in this world.
Take my family, for example. We once heard about a desperate need for clean, sanitized water in a remote part of Africa. Our hearts were moved, but there was just one problem— none of us knew how to dig wells.
To overcome this obstacle, we partnered financially with an organisation that knew how to dig well.
Church planting works in much the same way. You may not be called to relocate or personally serve in a church plant—but you can still play a vital role by committing to a small, monthly financial gift for a set period of time.
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1:4-5, NIV)
Of course, the majority of your giving should go to your local church, the place where you are spiritually fed.
The one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with their instructor.(Galatians 6:6, NIV)
But generosity mustn’t to stop there. Consider giving to ministries outside your local church.
A good rule of thumb:
- The first 10% of your income should go to your local church
- Beyond that, cultivate the habit of generous, open-handed giving—consider setting aside 1-2% specifically for a church plant.
Think of tithing as the training wheels of generosity—not the finish line.
Your financial generosity allows you to transcend your physical limitations and make an impact in places you may never set foot in.
Even from afar, your giving plants seeds that will bear fruit for eternity.
Conclusion: Your Role in Expanding the Kingdom
Supporting a church plant doesn’t mean leaving your home church—it means advancing the Gospel. Every new church is an opportunity for more people to encounter Jesus.
And the best part? You can be part of this mission right where you are.
Four Simple Ways to Make an Impact
- Pray
- Share this article
- Offer your skills
- Partner Financially
Your Challenge This Week
Take one small step. Pray, share, offer your skills, or commit to giving.
Even the smallest act of faithfulness can have eternal impact.
Will you take that step today?
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