Datcha

The elders and members of our church in Atakpamé would like to buy a plot of land in the village of Datcha, so that they can plant a church there. Please watch the video below first to understand why they are so keen to do this.

Following on from the video, here is more information about this – and the reasons behind it, the ‘why’ and the timing of this crowdfunding campaign.

Why this campaign? The Datcha students will mainly be living on campus, and many will not have the means to travel to church in Atakpamé. If we want to reach these students, a church in the village will be needed, but following the visit to Datcha, the conclusion was that the EGCT will never be able to purchase a plot of land itself.

Why now? Prices have risen in recent years from 750/1,000 euros to around 5,000 euros per plot. These prices are expected to continue rising, and if we wait any longer, it will become very difficult indeed to find a suitable plot of land.

Why use ‘crowdfunding’? In Togo, land and plots are owned by so-called ‘communities’… often linked to families. Buying land in Togo involves many risks. It is not uncommon for a buyer to sign a contract, make payment… only to discover later (often whilst going through the process of obtaining an official title deed from the Togolese authorities) that the land had already been sold to someone else. For this reason, it is also almost impossible to raise funds for the purchase of land through charities or foundations.

Who is this for? Help us by sharing this appeal with everyone in your family, church or circle of friends who loves the Lord Jesus and is therefore keen to see a church planted alongside this wonderful new university, one that will shine His Light in a clear, Bible-faithful way!

How much? The total amount we are seeking is 15,000 euros. We estimate that 6,000 euros will be enough to purchase a plot of land... A sum of 6,000 euros will then be used to drill a deep borehole so that a permanent water supply is available straight away. The remaining 3,000 euros (and any additional funds raised) will go towards applying for an official title deed from the government and towards starting the construction of the church.

We are therefore looking for 1,000 people to make a one-off pledge of an average of 15 euros.

How?

-You can join the Datcha Crowdfunding WhatsApp group by scanning the QR code below, after which you’ll receive a private message asking for your name and the amount you’re pledging.

-You’ll be kept up to date with developments via the app.

-Once the total amount pledged is sufficient to make an offer, the church will start looking for a plot of land.

-In Togo, it is very important to be able to pay immediately when making a bid… We will therefore seek a lender who is prepared to pay the full amount required to the church straight away (in the knowledge that this amount has already been pledged).

-Everyone in the WhatsApp group will then receive instructions on how and where to transfer their pledged funds, and we will repay the lender.

We would like to emphasise that we ask you to include this initiative in your prayers: after all, everything depends on God’s blessing!