28.5% More Guests Taking Next Steps: Here’s How This Church Did It
Facing the Challenge of Connection
Before discovering Text In Church, Donna Paulk’s congregation of 1,200 faced a familiar problem: how to effectively connect with both regular members and first-time guests. The church relied heavily on deacon visits to deliver information, but without a structured follow-up system, many newcomers slipped through the cracks.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the limitations of this approach became even clearer. The church needed a better way to reach people, maintain relationships, and help guests take their next steps.
Discovering a Better Way
Donna found the solution in Tyler Smith’s book Boomerang: The Power of Effective Guest Follow-up, which introduced a simple but powerful three-step process for guest follow-up: Gather → Connect → Build. She saw the potential to replace inconsistent, labor-intensive methods with a scalable, intentional system using Text In Church.
Her team quickly implemented:
- Connect Cards to collect guest information
- A six-week follow-up plan via text, email, and social media
- Personalized, consistent outreach to make every visitor feel known and valued
Measurable Impact
The results were dramatic:
- 28.5% of first-time guests enrolled in the church’s Starting Point class
- Increased baptisms, salvations, and membership
- More engaged and connected members
Donna says, “When somebody walks into our church and then receives this much love through follow-up, it’s a way to engage people with the love of Christ.”
Key Lessons for Church Leaders
- Establish a Robust Follow-Up System – Consistency is the secret to connection.
- Leverage Technology – Tools like Text In Church save time while increasing personal touch.
- Track and Adjust – Monitor results to keep improving your outreach strategy.
Why It Matters
Donna’s story isn’t just about technology, it’s about people. A well-designed follow-up plan doesn’t replace personal relationships; it multiplies them. By making guests feel known, noticed, and loved, her church turned one-time visitors into connected members.
If you’re ready to see similar results, start building your own guest follow-up system today. Visit Text In Church to learn more.
