Why Summer Is the Best Time to Reach New Movers and Grow Your Church
Why summer is the best time to reach new movers and grow your church
Every summer, neighborhoods across the country begin to shift. For many families, this is the season of fresh starts—new homes, new schools, new routines—and often, a new search for community and connection. That’s why summer isn’t just moving season; it’s also a golden opportunity for church outreach.
Let’s break down why this moment matters—and how your church can make the most of it with help from the Gloo+ New Mover Program.
Why summer is moving season in the U.S.
Each year, 27.3 million people move in the United States—and 60–70% of families move during summer months to get settled before the school year starts. That makes summer the most active season for new movers across the country.
These seasonal moves create a short but meaningful window when people are looking to plant roots in their new community. They're forming routines, exploring neighborhoods, and searching for places where they’ll feel welcome.
If your church is ready and visible during this time, you can be among the first to say, “We’re so glad you’re here”—and offer a meaningful connection at just the right moment.
Why new movers are actively looking for a church
Big life transitions often trigger a fresh start in every area of life—including faith. When someone moves, they aren’t just changing addresses—they’re often looking for a fresh start. That’s why new mover church outreach is such a powerful strategy.
In fact, 50% of new movers say they’re open to exploring faith or are already searching for a church. When people are building new rhythms, your church can offer spiritual consistency, community, and purpose.
By reaching out early, you position your church to become the spiritual home they're looking for—and establish a relationship that could last for years to come.
The lasting power of direct mail for church outreach
While digital outreach is everywhere, church direct mail remains one of the most effective ways to connect with new families. In fact, direct mail consistently sees higher engagement and response rates than email or online ads.
A personalized church postcard feels more intentional and memorable. It’s something people see on the counter, stick on the fridge, and return to later. It cuts through the digital clutter of their everyday lives, and gives them something solid to fall back on.
And when you add a QR code, you make it easy to invite new movers to take a next step—like visiting your church website, watching a welcome video, or submitting a prayer request.
How the New Mover Program helps your church reach people automatically
The Gloo+ New Mover Program takes all the heavy lifting out of new mover outreach. As part of your Gloo+ membership, you can send up to 50 personalized postcards per month—automatically—to new movers in your zip code.
All you have to do is:
- Select your target area
- Customize your postcard design and message
- Let Gloo handle the printing and mailing
It’s a set-it-and-forget-it church outreach tool that works behind the scenes to keep your church top of mind in your community.
Want to go a step further? When someone scans the QR code on your postcard, you can use Gloo to automatically add them to a workflow. That means:
- They scan the QR code on your postcard
- They receive a personalized message from your pastor
- They’re guided through a short text series that introduces them to your church
- They get a warm, helpful introduction to your ministry and your neighborhood
This full-circle new mover service turns one postcard into a powerful connection strategy.
Hear from your peers
Churches across the country are using their Gloo+ membership to get creative with this outreach strategy—and the results are inspiring. This is how your fellow churches are leveraging the direct mailer tool:
- One church leader followed up each postcard with a handwritten invitation to her Easter service.
- Another sent a Starbucks gift card through Gloo's church texting platform to invite new movers out for coffee after they scanned the postcard QR code.
- One church used a two-step mailing strategy: the first card was a friendly "welcome to the neighborhood" that linked to a curated list of local restaurants and parks that are family friendly. The second card followed with a specific invitation to worship.
Want more stories and practical tips like these? Join our next Gloo Fireside Chat to hear how church leaders are using the New Mover Program as part of a broader church outreach strategy that’s actually working.
Final thoughts: don’t miss the summer outreach window
With millions of people moving this summer—and many of them open to faith—this is the best time to reach out and welcome new families to your church.
A simple postcard can open the door to a life-giving relationship, and with tools like Gloo+, it’s never been easier to make a lasting impact.
Ready to get started? Learn more about Gloo+ here.
Already a Gloo+ member? Join our next Fireside Chat to hear from church leaders like you, and share your own experience. You can also watch recordings of past Fireside Chats at the Gloo+ Members Hub.