About Narthex

We exist to create pathways for growing churches to expand their ministry — providing the resources and real estate solutions they need to play offense and pursue Kingdom-honoring opportunities.
“What if church ownership could work differently?”
That was the question we asked ourselves as we walked across the parking lot of our church in 2015. Struggling with an aging HVAC system and a roof in need of repair, we needed to raise $100,000 just to keep the building functioning. That was the day Narthex was born.
A month later we presented an idea to a focus group of twenty pastors from across the country. “Let us own the real estate. We’ll manage the property and lease back to you the part you actually use. And we’ll find other groups; start up churches, not-for profits, and daycares that will use the other spaces in your building. And by sharing costs, the burden of the building will no longer be a burden.”
That’s how we started. With a simple idea and a desire to solve one big problem for churches. Along the way we’ve learned a lot about church buildings, the communities of faith that worship in our spaces, and about ourselves. The Narthex community is a special place where congregations and sacred spaces come together to advance the Kingdom. Every property we own tells its own story. We learn the creaks and the squeaks and feel a part of the history. We love the buildings as much as our tenants. The architecture, the stories… these are remarkable properties that deserve to be preserved, protected, and revitalized. This a partnership for us, not a transaction.
We’ve also learned along the way that what we do is hard. It’s time consuming and each building requires its own unique blend of uses, tenants and renovations. It’s also true that running a church, or a daycare, or a business is hard. That work deserves a partner that is helpful and supportive – one that creates solutions, not problems. We strive for that in everything we do.
When we get it right… the blend that works for our tenants and investors while still honoring the history and architecture of the building… it feels just perfect to us.
Narthex is redefining what’s possible for aging churches.
Across America, many churches sit underused and financially strained, while countless organizations — including start-up congregations — are searching for space to gather, worship, perform, work, and celebrate. Narthex bridges that gap by transforming underutilized churches into vibrant, revenue-generating community assets.
Preserving sacred spaces while fueling new life.
Each year, more than 4,000 U.S. churches close their doors, often burdened by costly upkeep and shrinking attendance. Narthex steps in to relieve that financial pressure — purchasing properties, infusing operating capital, and allowing existing ministries to refocus on mission rather than maintenance.
Meanwhile, over 1,000 new churches launch annually, many struggling to find appropriate, affordable space. Narthex provides them with access to high-quality sanctuaries, offices, classrooms, and creative spaces — empowering these young congregations to build momentum without incurring debt.
The result is revolutionary.
Narthex revitalizes struggling churches, fuels the growth of emerging ones, and restores pride to the surrounding community — all while keeping sacred spaces sacred.

Our Team

Rob Boyer

CO-FOUNDER
For over 20 years, Rob has been an entrepreneur and successfully started many ventures across a wide variety of industries. From start up to successful exit, he has developed expertise across many aspects of owning and operating a business.
He has a talent for strategic thinking, simplifying complex processes, and maximizing return on investment which allows him to revitalize historic buildings into pieces of art.
Fernanda Paiva Boyer

CO-FOUNDER
Born in Brazil, Fernanda graduated in Social Communication & Journalism and later studied French at La Sorbonne in Paris. She is fluent in four languages, and her worldly experience has given her insight into community and how cultural influences impact clients’ decisions.
Fernanda uses her unique perspective to create elegant expressions of Narthex’s vision, introducing Narthex and our ever-growing collection of exceptional properties to the world.
Carly Baird

ADMINISTRATION & ACCOUNTING
For more than a decade, Carly has used her unique skills to benefit the organizations with whom she works. Her loyalty and dedication provide a strong foundation that brings order and clarity. She has worked in office management, administration, and bookkeeping.
She seamlessly coordinates transactions and documentation across a variety of companies and provides the steady hand needed to ensure the efficient operation of the company. Narthex is a stronger community because of Carly’s steady influence.
Darren Griffith

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Darren is the liaison for Narthex. He identifies buildings which fit into the Narthex mission and orchestrates growth opportunities for communities who use these buildings to prosper.
His excellent listening skills and connections contribute to his extensive experience in Business Development, which allows him to cultivate strong relationships in the community.
He truly understands the needs of our clients and alleviates their stress by finding new ways to transform the building’s purpose.

Get to know Rob–and the heart behind Narthex.

This podcast episode dives into Rob Boyer’s background, what led him to start Narthex, and why this work matters. It’s an honest look at our mission, our approach, and how it plays out in real communities.

Our Investment Advisory Board

Jon Cassat

For more than four decades, Jon has enjoyed a successful career in Marketing, Communications and Advertising. For 23 of those years, Jon served as Vice President for Communications for Garmin International, helping the firm grow from a visionary tech start up into a multi-billion dollar global brand. After retiring from Garmin, he accepted the role of Chief Marketing Officer for the Global Orphan Project and expanded the organization’s advocacy for vulnerable children and families around the world. Jon is a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University with a degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas.
Mike Helmuth

Mike was a founding member of Kansas City based Red Development. During his tenure with the firm, Red developed more than 3 million square feet of real estate throughout the Midwest. After leaving Red Development, Mike launched Red Brokerage and led the firm from start up into one of the top ten commercial brokerage firms in the Kansas City area. Mike is a graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in finance and was an early advisor to the Narthex business model.
Ben Kalny

Ben serves as Principal and Co-founder of Axiom Equities, a Midwest real estate investment company. Axiom focuses on the purchase and optimization of undervalued commercial real estate assets. Ben graduated summa cum laude from Tusculum University in Greeneville, Tennessee with a B.S. in Business. He also received his law degree from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. Ben has a multi-decade track record of successfully owning real estate across a broad range of asset classes.
Roger Templin

Roger is a Principal with the firm Payne & Jones, Chartered in Overland Park, Kansas, and serves as General Counsel for Narthex. Having worked in the Business Practice Group since joining the firm in 1992, Roger’s expertise includes entrepreneurial, business, tax, securities, banking, real estate, estate planning matters, and bankruptcy and business litigation. Roger has served as Chair of the DeSoto, Kansas, Planning Commission and is a member of the American Planning Association. Roger holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Administration and Accounting from the University of Kansas, and his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Kansas School of Law, where he was a Rice Scholar.