WHY NOT JUST RAISE THE FUNDS TO BUILD THE ENTIRE BUILDING?
We have discovered in the world of missions that to provide everything robs the individual congregations of the “buy-in factor”. There is dignity (and true partnership) in the participation of the local church in finishing the work. To lay block and finish out the building brings fulfillment to the hearts of those participating. This is an attainable goal and adds credibility to the local congregation.
For many years the founder has organized and led teams to Africa to assist the local missionaries with this tremendous encouragement for local congregations.
GCB invites you to join us by praying, by giving, and by going. You can prayerfully decide your participation level.
WHAT ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP AT GCBs?
Our methods have grown over time to establish a more effective process. A system of checks and balances has been established over the years to ensure integrity in the use of funds.
To clarify this statement in context we will provide some history:
When the work was first established, funds were raised by itinerant missionaries and the building kits were purchased from a company in Buffalo, Missouri. The building kits were shipped by use of a 20 foot sea container to the continent of Africa. Seven kits made up the load due to weight restrictions.
Around 2008 a need was presented in Lira, Uganda. 35 church buildings had been destroyed due to war. A supporter and manufacturer stepped up with the idea to establish a small factory to fabricate the necessary kits to rebuild the 35 churches. He spent a month or so setting things up and training workers. While he was working, the host pastor whose church property was the site of the small container factory came out to speak with our partner. The pastor said, “While in prayer, God spoke to me and said He is going to give you a new design that will be more efficient in every way.” Our friend thanked him and continued to work. When our friend returned to the US he had forgotten the words of the pastor. Approximately one year passed and the Lord spoke to his heart “What about the church?” The man replied “What do you mean Lord?” The Lord reminded him of the pastor’s words.
His mind immediately went to work on cost and design changes. A design change from the use of angle iron to square tubing lightened the weight per kit, which allowed for 10 kits to be sent per container instead of 7. This of course reduced the cost of materials and shipping.
The only set back to this method was the cost. In conversation with the local missionary leader, we cast a vision to fabricate in Africa rather than ship from the US. This would eliminate the shipping cost and also the need to raise funds for multiple kits at one time!
In 2010 we sought out a cost analysis and the availability of materials. We established a fabrication factory/shop in Ivory Coast, a country strategically and centrally located in West Africa. With this we are able now to send funds without having to raise money for multiple kits. Any offering can be immediately sent to fund the purchase of materials.
WHY IS THE MISSION ‘A CHURCH WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE’?
Walking to reach a destination is common in Africa. There are cars and transportation choices: taxis, motorbikes, bicycles are all popular in the city and yet walking is the most common way to travel.
Poverty is not necessarily looked down upon because so much of the population lives at this survival level. Those who engage in Christianity through church attendance may have to walk great distances in order to attend church services. Having a church in each neighborhood in the city and one in each village is a great vision not yet achieved.
In order to accomplish this vision, GCB works with the National Assembly of God churches in each country. We supply trusses and roofs for new congregations in different neighborhoods in the cities, and also send buildings for villages outside of the metropolitan areas.
In cooperation, the new church raises funds to close in the walls and add windows and doors – and decorates their church as they desire. Often, the church will double in attendance when the new tabernacle is raised!
WHAT EXACTLY IS THE TABERNACLE FABRICATION SHOP?
About 15 years ago, the Assemblies of God launched the idea for a fabrication shop using local materials. For many years, the missions had purchased the kits of buildings here in the USA and shipped them to Africa. The fabrication shop in Ivory Coast produces an average of 60-75 kits per year. Your support has helped make this happen!
As of 2025, the Tabernacle Fabrication Shop in Ivory Coast has produced over 600 buildings using local materials. It helps us reach the lost, but it also helps the African economy.
In the USA, Great Commission Builders has been seeking volunteers to go and build in Africa, but we find there are some men and women who cannot leave the USA due to physical or financial limits, businesses, cattle, or other situations. These people, however, are hard workers and can spend an afternoon welding, drilling parts or painting tabernacle pieces that GCB can put in a container and send to Africa as needed. GCB contacts local churches and sets up work days, bringing equipment to the church parking lot and working with volunteers.
