PRACTICAL APPROACH TO CHURCH PLANTING: Planting Churches In Difficult Areas

There are towns, communities, and territories that seem closed or resistant to the gospel of Jesus Christ. But the heart of our Lord is that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Jesus gave His life for all people—whether they live in cities or in the remotest village. Scripture shows that even during hostile times, faithful witnesses still obeyed God’s call to spread the gospel (Acts 8:1,4).

Jesus Himself ministered among those who opposed Him, especially religious leaders, but He never allowed rejection to stop Him from doing the will of the Father (Matt. 10:23–26). He made it clear to His disciples that the mission would not always be easy, but assured us that victory is guaranteed through faith and obedience.

1. THE DIVINE MANDATE FOR CHURCH PLANTING

(Matt. 28:19–20; Mark 16:15)

The Great Commission is not just a suggestion—it is a divine command. Every believer and every church is under obligation to take the gospel to every creature, regardless of location, cultural background, or spiritual condition.

However, not every place receives the gospel the same way. Some areas are more open; others are more resistant. That is why we must make deliberate plans, through the help of the Holy Spirit, to take the gospel to even the hardest places. What seems like a hindrance in one region may actually be the open door in another. With faith in God, deep love for souls, perseverance in the Spirit, and the right approach, a church can be planted in any community—even the toughest one.

2. DIFFICULT SETTINGS IN BIBLE TIMES AND TODAY

Certain characteristics can make a location spiritually hard. Below are some of the factors that have historically made areas challenging for church planting:

Strong presence and loyalty to occult practices
Deep belief in ancestral worship and traditional religions
High population of devout Muslims with restrictive religious systems
Communities governed by customs and superstitions
Territories dominated by aggressive religious groups
Open worship of idols or deities
Places where Christianity once existed but is now only a forgotten history
Hostile tribal or ethnic groups opposing evangelism
Government rules or traditional laws that outlaw preaching
Legal restrictions on acquiring land for church purposes
Nomadic or unstable population that does not settle in one place

Scripture references:
Acts 2:5,12; 4:1–3,15–21; 5:17,27,40; 6:11–14; 7:57–58; 8:4–11; 12:1; 14:1–4; 16:16–21; 17:16–34; 19:24–34; Revelation 2:13.

3. CHARACTERISTICS OF SPIRITUALLY DIFFICULT AREAS

When planting churches in spiritually resistant areas, you might encounter the following:

Intentional barriers set up to discourage church planters.
Minimal results, even after great efforts are made.
Frequent attempts to frustrate or hinder the work.
Public outcry demanding that evangelists or church workers leave.
Direct opposition from religious groups or community influencers.
Slander and false accusations aimed at damaging the character of church workers.
Persecution and isolation of locals who show interest in Christ.
Spiritual warfare, including attacks from demonic forces.
Curses and enchantments directed at gospel workers.

4. HOW TO BREAK THROUGH IN DIFFICULT ENVIRONMENTS

Jer. 32:17; Matt. 17:20–21; Zech. 4:6–7; Heb. 13:8; John 8:28

a. Engage in Spiritual Warfare

Behind most resistance to church planting is satanic opposition. Before any strategy is implemented, serious and consistent spiritual warfare must be done. Demonic strongholds must be identified and pulled down (2 Cor. 10:3–5). Clear the spiritual atmosphere through fasting, prayer, and intercession. This was the approach taken by revivalists like Yonggi Cho in South Korea and Omar Cabrera in Argentina.

b. Use the Power of Love and Friendship

Even the most hardened opponents cannot easily resist genuine love. Reach out to community leaders and known opponents with acts of kindness. Build trust by forming real friendships and demonstrating the love of Christ (John 13:34–35).

c. Do Simple, Strategic Social Works

Community-based services such as healthcare, farming assistance, or clean water projects can soften hearts and open doors. These efforts, though simple, show the practical love of Christ and break down barriers (Luke 7:1–5; 10:30–37).

d. Involve Non-Threatening Individuals

In places where pastors or missionaries are viewed with suspicion, God can use women, students, youth corpers, and professionals who are not seen as religious threats (1 Sam. 10:9–16). These people can start relationships and build trust with locals.

e. Use an Indirect Mission Approach

Where church planting cannot begin directly, consider starting with educational or medical missions. As trust is built through service, opportunities for discipleship and eventually a church may emerge.

f. Maintain the Right Mindset

(Phil. 4:8)
Don’t allow the difficulty of the environment to corrupt your thinking. Believe God for change, even when progress seems invisible. Avoid discouragement and refuse to believe the enemy’s lies. Keep your spiritual strength renewed and your focus on the breakthrough God has promised.

g. Practice Perseverance and Speak Faith

Stay patient, be strong in faith, and continually declare God’s promises over the land and the people (Heb. 10:22–23, 35–39; Rom. 10:8–10). Your positive confession can shift the spiritual climate and build your courage.

h. Reach Key Community Influencers

When prominent people or respected elders give their lives to Christ, others in the community are often influenced to follow. Make a prayerful, strategic effort to reach these key individuals. Their salvation can create a ripple effect (John 7:45–53).

i. Use Power Evangelism

Proclaim the gospel in the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit. When signs, wonders, healing, and deliverance happen, even the hardest hearts are softened. Power encounters are key in breaking through tough regions (Acts 8:5–6; 13:4–12; 14:8–18; 16:25–34).

5. BE DETERMINED TO SUCCEED

The early apostles faced all kinds of resistance, yet they succeeded because of their unwavering commitment. The following qualities must be embraced:

Determination to obey God’s command – Acts 4:19
Dedication to God through prayer and unity – Acts 4:24–31
Diligence in service and responsibility – Acts 6:2–4
Decisiveness in confronting tough decisions – Acts 15:22–29
Daring faith to take risks and face danger – Acts 15:26

Avoid the following:

Don’t fall into self-pity or discouragement.
Don’t give up just because results are slow.
Don’t despise small beginnings—God often starts big things with small seeds.
Keep a positive, faith-filled attitude.
Adjust your approach to suit the environment, but never compromise the truth of the gospel.

CONCLUSION:
God is still calling His people to take the gospel to the ends of the earth—including the hard places. If we will walk by faith, engage in spiritual warfare, love deeply, serve humbly, and persevere with the right mindset, no place is too hard for God. Churches can be planted anywhere, and souls can be won—even in the most difficult territories.