About Us
UPHELD was placed in our heart by the Lord after witnessed firsthand the quiet struggles that many leaders endure during their time in their ministries. Financial hardship was not just common; it was deeply personal. My own family lived through seasons of lack, and I saw the toll it took—not only materially, but emotionally and spiritually.
There is a sacred weight to ministry, yet too often, those who carry it do so in silence, burdened by financial stress, emotional wounds, and the loneliness that comes with serving others while neglecting their own needs. A pervasive stigma suggests that pastors should not ask for fair compensation, that they must simply “live by faith.” But faith does not mean forsaking care, and stewardship includes caring for those who shepherd others.
UPHELD was born out of this conviction: that those who pour out their lives in service should not be left to struggle alone. We exist to provide financial and spiritual support to ministers and missionaries—restoring dignity, offering relief, and reminding them that they are seen, valued, and never forgotten.
The Research
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Based on the research 38% of U.S. Pastors Have Thought About Quitting Full-Time Ministry in 2021
https://www.barna.com/research/pastors-well-being/
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Among the 10 top reasons Pastors are leaving church is Burn out and financial stress
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According to the National Association of Evangelicals, 76% of pastors know a fellow pastor who left the ministry due to financial pressures.
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90% report experiencing some level of financial stress in their own lives.
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According to Pastoral Care, Inc., 53% are concerned about their family’s financial future.
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A Hartford Institute for Religion Research survey revealed that more than half of clergy surveyed had seriously considered leaving the ministry since 2020, with financial concerns and post-pandemic burnout being major contributing factors.
