Less time updating records. More time connecting with people.
Keeping track of your church family shouldn’t mean chasing spreadsheets, searching through separate systems or wondering whether someone followed up.
How-to guides
How to send a text message to your church
Connect texting once, then send an SMS to a list, tag, or individual — same place as email, under Communications.
Step-by-step guideAbout 15 minutes
Before you begin
- Communications module enabled
- Admin access
- Twilio account (church-owned or new — ChurchRaise walks you through setup)
- Contacts with phone numbers in People
Where texting lives
Text messages are sent from Communications — the same module as email. There is no separate Texting menu. You connect Twilio once, then compose texts like you compose emails.
One-time setup: connect Twilio
Open Communications
Click Communications in the left sidebar, then Home.
Start a text message
Click New Message. Choose Text Message (not Email). If texting is not set up yet, ChurchRaise opens the setup screen automatically.
Enter Twilio details
On the Set up Texting (SMS) screen, enter your Twilio Account SID, Auth Token, and From Number. The From Number must be in E.164 format — example: +15551234567 (country code + area code + number, no spaces).
Click Connect Twilio
When connected, you will see Texting is connected with your sending number. You only do this once per church.
Tips
- If your church does not have Twilio yet, sign up at twilio.com and buy one phone number for sending.
- Keep your Twilio login secure — only admins should connect it in Settings or Communications setup.
Watch out
- You cannot send SMS until Twilio is connected — choosing Text Message before setup redirects you to connect first.
Send a text
Click New Message → Text Message
From Communications → Home, click New Message and choose Text Message.
Write your message
Keep it short — SMS works best under 160 characters when possible. You can use tags like {FirstName} to personalize (example: Hi {FirstName}, see you Sunday!).
Choose recipients
Under Select Recipients, pick From List (a saved list), By Tag, or Single Contact (Phone). Only contacts with a phone number on file are counted.
Send or schedule
Click Send Now for immediate delivery, or turn on Schedule and pick a date and time (example: Saturday 5 PM reminder).
Confirm
Review the confirmation dialog and confirm. Sent texts appear under Communications → Sent. Scheduled texts appear under Outbox.
Tips
- Send a test to yourself first: use Send Test — your user profile needs a phone number.
- Deceased contacts and people who opted out are automatically excluded.
- Scheduled texts wait in Outbox until their send time — they are not in Sent yet.
If something goes wrong
Recipient count is zero
Your list or tag has no contacts with phone numbers. Add phones in People, or pick a different list.
Message failed to send
Check Twilio is still connected. Confirm your From Number is verified in Twilio and has SMS enabled.
Personalization tag shows literally {FirstName}
The contact may be missing a first name. Edit their People record and try again.
Related articles
Also available in-app at /help/communications when you're signed in.