Lay Leaders

Are you called to serve in a community where housing feels out of reach?

Who this is for

You care about God, your church, and the people who serve it. Maybe you’re an elder. Maybe you own a home and want to help your pastor buy one. Maybe you’ve heard a staffer say they’re thinking of leaving because they can’t afford to stay. Maybe you’re on a search committee — and every spouse of every candidate is on Zillow.

You want to help but don’t know how. You might not be the decider, but you can be a gentle disruptor — the one who gets your church to focus.

You don’t need to part the Red Sea. But you can point them toward the Path to the Promised Land.

Why it matters / how housing affects ministry

Do you know how much your pastors make? Probably not. And maybe that’s appropriate. But it also means you may have no idea how discouraged they are — or how close they are to leaving.

Housing is the single greatest strategic threat to ministry. We talk to pastors every day who are faithful, tired, and out of options. It’s eating at their call.

When your church is recruiting from Latin America because local seminary grads can’t afford to live here, housing has officially broken ministry economics.

When your finance committee keeps asking why pastoral salaries need to go up ‘so much.’ Meanwhile, your pastor’s family is eating ramen so they can make rent.

The Devil doesn’t need red tights and a cape. He’s happy to let churches stay confused and stuck while housing takes people out of ministry.

How Aslan helps people like you help others

Aslan was born out of people just like you: a retired insurance CEO, a real estate agent, a general contractor, a wealth manager, a lawyer, a CFO, and an architect. A group of congregants who loved their church — and saw the threat.

We created the programs on this site to help one local church. Since then, the models have scaled: to multisite churches and churches of 100, to parachurch ministries and Christian nonprofits, from coastal cities to inland towns. Every one facing the same problem. Every one helped by someone like you.

Programs

To help those in ministry find permanent affordable housing solutions in the communities they feel called to serve.

Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program

Strategic Consulting

Got Housing? Need Housing?™

What people are saying

With YOUR support, Aslan is on the move!

“As a former para-ministry staff person with Young Life I can fully understand and empathize with the problems we are facing by not providing long-term housing solutions in our local Christian communities. My focus on ministry is still just as passion-filled, except now I help those on the frontlines obtain their long-term dream homes alongside Aslan’s powerful finance ministry.”

Danny Waddell, Cross-Country Mortgage, LLC

Aslan Down Payment Assistance Program Lending Lead

"I'm so grateful for New North’s Housing Policy and support from Aslan! I was able to buy a duplex in the Bay Area—something I never thought possible. The rental income helps cover my mortgage and I now have stability for my family. It’s been a total game-changer."

Rob Hall

Pastor
New North Church (San Francisco)

“Buying a home in the Bay Area always felt like a distant dream. But through WestGate’s support and Aslan’s Down Payment Assistance Program, that dream became real. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude—and now, deeply rooted in the community I serve.”

David Kim

Pastor
WestGate Church (Saratoga)

"We're so happy that Aslan helped our retirement diversify into high quality real estate. We hope Aslan is able to do this over and over for like minded people."

Greg and AJ Lundell

Contributor (Self-Directed IRA)
"Young Life (Redwood City/San Carlos)"

"We're so happy that Aslan helped our retirement diversify into high quality real estate. We hope Aslan is able to do this over and over for like minded people."

Greg and AJ Lundell

Contributor (Self-Directed IRA)
"Young Life (Redwood City/San Carlos)"

David Kim

Pastor
WestGate Church (Saratoga)

Rob Hall

New North Church (San Francisco)

Danny Waddell, Cross-Country Mortgage, LLC

Aslan Down Payment Assistance Program Lending Lead

Resources & FAQs

Do I need to be ordained to qualify?

Not necessarily. We work with pastors, missionaries, and a range of ministry staff recognized by their church or organization.

What types of housing solutions are available?

Below-market rental homes through our Rental Exchange
Down Payment Assistance (DPA) equity-share program with partner investors
Church-supported parsonage and housing allowance consulting

Will I have to pay back Down Payment Assistance?

Yes, but not like a traditional loan. Our DPA program allows you to buy with investor support. When the home is sold, the equity appreciation is shared between you and the investors.