Helper & Gig Network

Barna Group research shows 60% of pastors identify helper shortages as their primary barrier to ministry growth, while Lifeway Research found only 32% of churches have sufficient financial reserves to hire professional creative talent.

With 330,000+ Christian congregations in the U.S. facing both helper shortages and budget constraints, churches struggle to access the skilled professionals needed for modern ministry—from musicians and designers to tech support and drivers for hybrid worship services.

Our Helper & Gig Network provides vetted, background-checked professionals through a dual model of paid engagements (1.5-10% service fees) and unpaid community contributor matching, addressing the 68% of churches lacking hiring capacity while ensuring safety through GPS verification and emergency protocols.

In short

The post-2020 shift to hybrid ministry has accelerated demand, with 60% of congregations now receiving majority donations online and requiring tech-savvy support. Our network meets this need while creating income opportunities for the 166,700+ independent artists and creative professionals seeking mission-aligned work.

Premium subscription tiers provide enhanced matching services for churches with greater needs, while grant-funded stipends ensure small congregations can participate during the pilot phase, creating equitable access across all income levels.

The big idea

RCA’s Helper Program and Gig Network form an integrated service layer that allows churches, nonprofits, and community partners to quickly access reliable, short-term support without the burden of permanent staffing. Through the platform, Helpers and gig workers create verified profiles that list skills, availability, certifications, and service areas—such as childcare, music, A/V support, transportation, event setup, outreach assistance, and delivery. Churches and organizations can search, filter, and book support based on location, skill set, timing, and budget, with RCA often subsidizing Helper costs when funding is limited. All engagements are coordinated through the platform, using standardized service agreements, in-app messaging, scheduling tools, and digital payment tracking to ensure clarity, accountability, and risk mitigation for all parties.

Black-owned and women-owned services/businesses are intentionally highlighted within the Helper Program through clear profile labels and search filters, making it easy for churches and organizations to discover, support, and partner with trusted, community-rooted professionals.

Gig Drivers

The Gig Network powers time-sensitive and logistics-based work, including pickups, deliveries, and task-based support tied to the Resource Share and Creative Arts Gallery. Local gig drivers are dispatched using job-specific routing and vehicle matching to safely transport goods, equipment, and artwork between businesses, churches, and homes. Completion is confirmed through check-ins and proof-of-delivery, creating transparency for partners and donors. Together, the Helper Program and Gig Network create a scalable, data-driven workforce infrastructure that supports ministry operations, local commerce, and community outreach—turning everyday skills into meaningful service opportunities while keeping coordination centralized and efficient through RCA’s technology platform.

Black-Owned and Women Owned Business support

The Helper Program is a core way RCA supports Black-owned and/or women-owned businesses, organizations, chapters, and events by providing fast, flexible access to vetted local talent and logistics support. Through the platform, businesses and organizers can book Helpers for canvassing, event staffing, setup and breakdown, outreach coordination, and short-term operational needs, while the Gig Network enables same-hour pickups and deliveries for items listed in the Resource Share. RCA strengthens participation by offering vouchers, credits, and targeted subsidies that help offset Helper and delivery costs—especially for community events, church partnerships, and mission-aligned initiatives—so budget constraints don’t limit impact. Vouchers and credits can be earned through platform participation, partnerships, or campaigns and applied directly at checkout, while RCA subsidies fill remaining gaps when eligible, ensuring projects move forward smoothly while supporting local workers and Black-owned enterprises.

Key Success Metrics

• 60% of pastors report helper shortages as primary growth barrier (Barna Group verified)
• 1.5-10% service fees create sustainable operations while keeping costs 70-85% below agency rates
• 100% verified Helpers with comprehensive background checks and reference verification
• Real-time GPS verification ensures safety for deliveries and on-site ministry work
• 25+ pilot churches targeted for immediate access to affordable creative talent
• Dual revenue model with premium subscriptions and transaction fees ensures sustainability

This network directly addresses the critical gap between ministry needs and resource availability, creating safe, affordable access to professional talent while building sustainable income streams for faith-driven creatives.