Easter is one of the most important Sundays of the year, bringing new visitors, packed services, and opportunities to share the gospel with your community. But with all the moving parts, communication can become a challenge. That’s where text messaging can make all the difference.

Texting is fast, effective, and the best way to reach your congregation in real time. A well-planned texting strategy can make Easter smoother and even more impactful. With the right approach, your church can maximize engagement, create a welcoming atmosphere, and ensure that no one misses out on what God is doing in your community.

Here are seven ways text messaging can transform your church’s Easter experience this year:

1. Service Time Broadcasts

One of the biggest logistical challenges of Easter Sunday is making sure everyone knows exactly when and where services will take place. With larger crowds than usual and multiple service options, it’s easy for details to get lost. A quick text with service times, locations, and livestream links ensures your congregation stays informed and prepared. And with Broadcasts, you can send one message to your whole congregation. 

🔹 Example Text: “Easter Sunday is almost here! Join us at 9 AM or 11 AM. Click here to save your seat: [link].”

2. Day-Of Reminders 

Easter planning can be overwhelming for both church leaders and attendees. Texting helps simplify logistics by delivering concise, actionable information directly to people’s phones. 

Whether it’s parking instructions, check-in reminders, or details about children’s programs, a well-timed message helps ensure a smooth and stress-free experience for everyone involved. This ability for last-minute reminders helps members make informed decisions about which service to attend based on capacity. If your church has limited seating or parking, you can use texting to encourage attendees to RSVP or arrive early. Additionally, sending out a text with a direct link to your church’s website or livestream page makes it easier for those who can’t attend in person to stay connected.

Instead of relying on lengthy emails or social media posts, a quick text about designated parking areas or where to drop off children makes it easy for first-time visitors to navigate your church with confidence. You can also use texting to send out links to event registration pages, digital bulletins, or special Easter devotionals to help attendees prepare spiritually for the service.

🔹 Example Text: “Arriving for Easter? Our parking team is ready! Follow the signs for guest parking near the main entrance. And here’s a link to our parking map.”

3. Invite Your City & Promote to Your Congregation

Your church members are your best promoters. Most people attend church for the first time because someone personally invited them, and texting makes that process even easier. A simple text with an invitation link can be forwarded to friends, neighbors, and coworkers, increasing the likelihood that they’ll attend an Easter service.

Beyond personal invites, you can use texting to keep your congregation engaged in spreading the word. Send reminders about social media posts they can share, or encourage them to pray for the people they’ve invited. Additionally, consider setting up a keyword campaign where people can text a short code (e.g., "EASTER" to 12345) to receive all the details they need about Easter services and events.

🔹 Example Text: “Easter is the perfect time to invite a friend! Forward this message to someone you’d love to see at church this Sunday. ‘Join me for Easter! 9 AM or 11 AM at [Church Name]!’”

4. Mobilizing Volunteers for Easter Services

Easter services require an all-hands-on-deck approach, with additional volunteers needed for everything from greeting guests to helping with children’s ministry. Rather than relying on bulletin announcements or phone calls, texting allows you to quickly reach potential volunteers and fill important roles.

Use texting to send targeted messages to past volunteers, church members who have expressed interest in serving, or specific groups (e.g., youth or small group leaders). You can also set up automated responses so that when someone replies “SERVE,” they receive a follow-up text with next steps on how to get involved.

🔹 Example Text: “Help make Easter amazing! We need greeters, kids' helpers, and parking guides. Reply ‘SERVE’ if you’re interested!”

5. Prepare Your Children’s Environments

Easter is a very exciting time for the youngsters in your church community; you probably see more kids in attendance for your Easter services than other weeks throughout the year. For many families, a well-organized and engaging children's ministry is a huge plus when they’re choosing what Easter service to attend. Parents want to know that their kids will be safe, cared for, and engaged in age-appropriate Easter activities. Texting is a great way to keep parents informed and help them feel confident about bringing their children to church.

Use texts to send digital check-in links, event details, and even a preview of the fun activities planned for Easter Sunday. If you’re hosting an Easter egg hunt or a special kids’ program, texting a reminder helps ensure families don’t miss out.

🔹 Example Text: “Easter is for kids too! Our fun & safe kids’ service is ready. Check in early here: [link].”

6. Follow Up with First-Time Visitors

Easter often brings an influx of first-time guests, and the best way to encourage them to return is through thoughtful follow-up. Sending a friendly, personal text the day after Easter makes a lasting impression and opens the door for further connection.

A follow-up text can include a simple thank-you, an invitation to an upcoming service or small group, or a way for them to share feedback about their experience. You can also set up automated workflows that send new visitors a series of texts over a few weeks, gradually introducing them to different aspects of your church community.

🔹 Example Text: “Thanks for spending Easter with us! We loved having you. If you have any questions or want to stay connected, reply ‘HELLO’ anytime.”

7. Keep the Momentum Going After Easter

Easter is just the beginning! While it’s a powerful day of celebration, it’s important to keep people engaged beyond Easter Sunday—and that’s not just new visitors! Everyone in your congregation could benefit from staying engaged with the message of Easter after the holiday is over. Texting can help maintain momentum by inviting attendees to upcoming events, small groups, or a new sermon series.

Many people attend church on Easter but struggle to stay connected afterward. A simple text inviting them to a follow-up event—such as a newcomer’s lunch, a Bible study, or a post-Easter teaching series—can help them take the next step in their faith journey. Consider using automated texting workflows to send encouraging messages over the next few weeks to keep them engaged.

🔹 Example Text: “Easter was just the beginning! Join us this Sunday for a new series on [topic]. Hope to see you there!”

Ready to explore what texting can do for you this Easter? 

Easter can be one of the busiest times of the year, but texting makes it easier to connect, organize, and engage your congregation. By leveraging text messaging in these seven key ways, your church can create a more seamless and impactful Easter experience.

If you’re ready to start using texting for Easter, sign up for Free Gloo Messaging today.