ChurchSuite - Building Community Through SMS

For Paul Nation (Head of Customer Support) and Robin Staple (Marketing) at ChurchSuite, communication has always been at the heart of their mission. Their software exists to serve churches and charities - not just to help them stay organised, but to help them truly connect with their people. “We exist because we want to make communication simple for churches,” Paul explains. “That’s why our product exists.”

When ChurchSuite first partnered with BulkSMS over ten years ago, they were looking for a reliable and secure way to reach people. BulkSMS offered an easy-to-use API, strong connectivity, and a platform that kept evolving with upgrades and improvements. It was exactly what they needed to embed SMS into the daily life of their users. But the deeper story wasn’t about technology. It was about people.

The Communication Challenge

Email had long been a staple for churches - sending out volunteer rosters, order-of-service notes, or detailed updates ahead of events. But Paul and Robin knew the limitations well. Emails often went unread. Junk folders swallowed important information. And not everyone checked their inbox daily.

For churches and charities, those gaps in communication weren’t just inconvenient - they risked missing opportunities to care for people. How do you let someone know there’s been a last-minute venue change? How do you check in on someone who hasn’t been seen in a while? How do you make sure your message lands, especially when timing matters most?

Why SMS Made Sense

That’s where SMS proved invaluable. With open rates above 90% and most messages read within minutes, SMS provided the immediacy and reliability email couldn’t always guarantee. “The 160-character limit made our messaging more intentional,” Paul reflects. “It forced brevity, and people appreciated the clarity.”

SMS also bridged the digital divide. It didn’t depend on smartphones or WiFi. For congregants with simpler devices - particularly the elderly or isolated - SMS felt more personal and accessible. It wasn’t a broadcast; it was a direct line.

Real-World Impact

The difference showed up in everyday church life. Emails remained useful for sharing the volunteer rota or outlining the full order of service. But when Sunday approached, a short SMS reminder helped ensure that the right people showed up in the right place at the right time.

When unexpected weather meant a service had to be cancelled, or when an accident blocked the main road to the church, SMS got the word out immediately. People didn’t miss the message.

Beyond logistics, SMS enabled moments of pastoral care. A quick birthday greeting. A thank-you note for serving. A short encouragement sent at just the right moment. Even a gentle check-in: “Hi, we missed you at church today. Are you okay?”

“SMS just feels more personal,” Paul explains. “It’s direct, it’s thoughtful, and it helps churches connect in ways email alone can’t.”

Moving Forward

As ChurchSuite looks to the future, they’ve expanded their vision with ChurchSuite, designed for charities that don’t identify with faith-based language. The need is the same: a tool that makes communication clear, timely, and deeply human.

For Paul and Robin, BulkSMS has been more than a technical partner - it’s been a way to help their users strengthen community. “At the end of the day,” Paul says, “this isn’t about software. It’s about people feeling seen, connected, and cared for.”