Support Center

How do I register my church?

Click on "Register Your Church" and complete the 3-step registration form. You'll need to provide:

• Church name, location, and denomination
• Primary contact person details
• Church registration certificate or incorporation documents
• Utility document proving physical address
• Government-issued ID of the contact person

Our verification team reviews all submissions within 3-5 business days. You'll receive an email notification once your church is approved.

What documents are required for church verification?

To ensure the integrity of our network, we require three types of documentation:

• Church Registration: Official registration certificate, articles of incorporation, or denominational charter proving your church is a legitimate religious organization
• Address Proof: Recent utility bill, lease agreement, or property deed showing your church's physical location
• Identity Verification: Government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, or national ID) of the primary contact person

All documents are kept confidential and used solely for verification purposes. Accepted formats: PDF, JPG, PNG (max 10MB each).

What happens after my church registration is approved?

Once approved, you'll receive an email confirmation and gain immediate access to your church leader dashboard. From there you can:

• View and respond to incoming connection requests from sending pastors
• Browse the verified church directory to find partner churches
• Initiate handover requests for your own members relocating abroad
• Track follow-up status and connection outcomes
• Update your church profile and contact information

Your church will also appear in location-based searches for parents, students, and other churches looking to connect believers in your area.

Can parents submit connection requests on behalf of their children?

Yes! Parents and guardians can create accounts and submit connection requests for their children. However, the traveler's explicit consent is always required before any information is shared with receiving churches.

When submitting a request, parents must:

• Confirm they have discussed this with their child
• Obtain the student's consent to be contacted
• Provide accurate contact information for the student
• Respect the student's right to withdraw consent at any time

This ensures that even parent-initiated connections honor the autonomy and privacy of the traveling believer.

How do students find churches near their new location?

Students can use the "Find Churches Near You" feature to discover verified churches and campus fellowships in their destination area. The search allows filtering by:

• Country, city, and state/province
• Campus name or university area
• Denomination or theological tradition
• Language of worship
• Service times and programs

Each church listing includes contact information, location details, and the option to request connection. Students can also see if any churches were matched to them through parent or pastor-initiated requests.

Can students control who contacts them?

Absolutely. Students have complete control over their privacy and can withdraw consent at any time. No church can contact a student without their explicit permission, and students can block or report any inappropriate communication. We prioritize student autonomy and dignity in all interactions.

How is my personal information protected?

We take data protection seriously and implement multiple safeguards:

• End-to-end encryption for all messaging between users
• Minimal data collection - we only ask for information necessary for connection
• No public profiles - information is only shared after explicit consent
• Leader-only directory - the church registry is not publicly searchable
• Right to deletion - users can request complete data removal at any time
• GDPR compliance - we follow international data protection standards

How does the messaging system work?

All communication happens through our secure in-platform messaging system:

• Sending leaders initiate connection requests through the system
• Receiving leaders receive notifications and can accept or decline
• Contact details are only revealed after acceptance
• Messages are encrypted and stored securely
• Users can report inappropriate messages to admins

This protects privacy, prevents spam, and ensures all interactions happen within a trusted, verified network.

What if I encounter inappropriate behavior?

We maintain a strict Code of Conduct and take all violations seriously. If you encounter:

• Harassment or unwanted contact
• Fraudulent church registrations
• Privacy violations
• Any behavior that compromises safety

You can report it directly through the platform. Our admin team investigates all reports within 24-48 hours and has the authority to suspend or permanently remove accounts. Serious violations may be reported to appropriate authorities.

Is student access really free forever?

Yes! Student and traveler access is always free and will never be paywalled. This is a core principle of our mission. We believe that financial barriers should never prevent believers from finding spiritual community during critical life transitions.

Churches and institutional networks can subscribe to partner tiers for enhanced features, but individual students, parents, and basic church registration remain free for everyone.

What are the benefits of the Church Partner subscription?

The Church Partner tier ($9.99/month) provides enhanced tools for churches actively engaged in global ministry:

• Unlimited connection requests (free tier has basic limits)
• Campus fellowship matching tools for university ministries
• Follow-up dashboard with status tracking and reminders
• Priority support from our team
• Advanced church profile with photos and programs

Churches can start with the free tier and upgrade when they need more capacity. There's no long-term commitment.

Is there a mobile app?

Currently, Diaspora Shepherd is available as a web application accessible from any device with a browser. Mobile apps for iOS and Android are planned for Phase 2 of development. You can add the website to your phone's home screen for easy access.

Can I integrate Diaspora Shepherd with my church management system?

API integrations and export features are planned for future releases. Currently, you can manually transfer information between systems. If you represent a seminary, denominational network, or mission board interested in institutional integration, please contact us through the support form.

Which countries are currently supported?

Diaspora Shepherd is a global platform with verified churches in major destination countries including:

• North America: United States, Canada
• Europe: United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Ireland, France, Italy
• Africa: Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa
• Asia: Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea
• Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

We're continuously expanding to new regions. Churches from any country can register, and we match based on destination locations.