How One Arkansas Church Closed Their "Large Back Door" Using Automated Follow-Up
In the heart of Little Rock, Arkansas, Pastor Charles Simmons Jr. and his team at Connect Church are on a mission to make every person who walks through their doors feel known, noticed, and loved. But as any church planter knows, the transition from a friendly "hello" on Sunday to a meaningful relationship during the week is often where the wheels fall off.
Charles sat down with us to share how his church moved from a "broken" manual system to a thriving, automated culture of connection using Text In Church.
The Challenge: A "Large Back Door"
Before discovering Text In Church, Connect Church had no trouble getting people into the building.
"We did a great job of gathering people and inviting people," Charles explained. "What we didn’t do well was have consistent communication showing them that we cared after they left."
At the time, the "system" was entirely manual. The team used pen and paper to jot down names in the community and Google Voice to try and follow up. Without automation, the process was inconsistent. Charles described a "stab in the heart" moment when he ran into a family at the grocery store who had visited months prior but never returned.
When he asked why, the mother simply said, "We never heard anything back from the church... we figured you all got busy or didn't care."
That was the turning point. Charles realized that their lack of systems was failing to reflect the true heart of their ministry.
The Solution: Automation with a Human Touch
Charles knew he needed a "machine" to power the steps of their follow-up so that no one would ever fall through the cracks again. After implementing Text In Church, the transformation was immediate.
Why Text In Church Worked for Connect Church:
- Plug-and-Play Simplicity: As a church planter with a lean staff, Charles needed a tool that was user-friendly. He found Text In Church to be "plug-and-play," allowing him to set up automated workflows without needing a massive tech team.
- The Power of "Pages": One of Charles's favorite features is Pages. Instead of sending multiple, cluttered text messages, he can send one link to a beautiful page that contains all the details, next steps, and volunteer opportunities a guest needs.
- Consistent Encouragement: The automated workflows allow the church to send scripture and prayer requests at exactly the right time. "The Holy Spirit is so intelligent," Charles noted, "that I can automate a text in 2023, and in 2025 it’s still going out at the exact moment that person needs to hear that verse."
The Impact: A Culture of Cohesion
Since adopting Text In Church, the "retention rate has increased drastically." But more importantly, the culture of the church has shifted.
Communication is now so consistent that it has become an expectation. Members often talk to each other about the encouraging texts they receive, and if someone hasn't filled out a connect card yet, they’re quick to ask how they can get on the list.
Charles shared a moving story of a woman on their praise team who joined the church after her sister told her about the incredible follow-up she was receiving. Through a “21-days of Hope" text campaign, this woman felt prompted to share her own story and pray for others, realizing for the first time how much God could use her to impact her community.
Charles’ Advice to Church Leaders
If you’re on the fence about using a communication tool, Charles has a simple message: "What are you waiting for?"
"Take the pressure off yourself," he says. "There are so many more things that God wants to use your energy, your wisdom, and your knowledge for than to be wondering and worried about how the harvest is being managed. Take the leap."
Ready to close your "back door" and start connecting?
Join Charles and thousands of other church leaders who are using Text In Church to save time and reach more people. 👉 Click here to start your free trial today!
