Explore privately

I Cannot Go to Church

If you cannot go to church, whether because it would not be safe, because you are ill or housebound, because there is none nearby, or because your family would not allow it, you can still meet Jesus. He is not confined to a building. You can read his own words and pray privately, right where you are. Church, when it becomes possible, can come later.

You can read here privately. You do not have to change your identity, tell anyone what you believe, or create an account. Nothing is asked of you, and nothing is decided today. You are simply welcome to come and see who Jesus is.

Jesus is not confined to a building

There are many reasons a person cannot go to church. It might not be safe where you live to be seen entering one. You might be ill, housebound, or far from any gathering. Your family might forbid it. Whatever the reason, it does not put Jesus out of reach.

Jesus met people on roads, at wells, in homes, on hillsides, and by the sea. He said that God is found not in one place only, but by anyone who worships in spirit and in truth.

What you can do right where you are

You can meet Jesus privately, at home, on a phone, in a quiet moment:

• Read his life in his own words. The Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of John are gentle places to begin.
• Pray quietly, in your own words. You can begin at a gentle first prayer.
• If it is ever safe and possible, you can meet other believers. If it is not, that is understood, and Jesus is with you now, alone, just the same.

Never put yourself in danger to be seen. Where believers gather quietly for their own safety, that is theirs to keep private. What matters first is simply you and Jesus, and that door is open wherever you are.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to sign up or go anywhere?

No. You do not have to go anywhere or sign up for anything. You can meet Jesus privately, right where you are, by reading his words and praying quietly.

Can I follow Jesus without going to church?

You can begin to know Jesus right now, on your own, by reading the Gospel and praying. Christians believe gathering with others is a gift for later, when and if it becomes safe and possible. It is not the door you must pass through first.

What if it is not safe for me to go to church?

Then do not put yourself in danger. Jesus meets people wherever they are, in secret if need be (Matthew 6:6). You can know him privately now, and never expose yourself or anyone else to risk.