A Legacy Of Ministry, A Vision For The Future 

Founded in 1885, Second Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri, has long served as a vibrant spiritual home to a diverse congregation. With a campus built in 1993 and an average Sunday attendance of 1,200 to 1,400, the church has weathered seasons of growth, leadership changes, and the challenges of shifting demographics. Today, under the guidance of their leadership team and with a dedicated staff, Second Baptist is intentionally rebuilding its ministry to reach new generations of families and members across all life stages. We take a deeper look at their journey in this church mobile app case study to see how Second Baptist Church continues to embrace technology.

As part of that renewal, Second Baptist has found a strong ministry partner in TouchPoint Software. Their journey, particularly with the Mobile App, highlights the power of technology to unify ministry processes, streamline communication, and foster deeper engagement across the church body. 

Embracing The Church Mobile App: From Delay To Dynamic Adoption 

Second Baptist’s initial move to the TouchPoint ecosystem occurred between 2020 and 2022, coinciding with a season of staff transitions that delayed their mobile app launch. With both their IT director and communications director resigning just before the launch of Mobile App 2.0, the church had to pause its plans temporarily. 

However, the release of Mobile App 3.0 offered a fresh start. After previewing the new version at Summit, the church executed a soft launch in December 2024, followed by a full rollout in early 2025. Their first impressions were strong: the updated interface felt modern, intuitive, and visually aligned with social media platforms—yet offered the security and cohesion of an integrated church management system. 

Mariah, an Executive Administrative Assistant and primary TouchPoint champion, reflected: 
“The app looked cohesive and connected with our database. Our people had one place to go for everything—and we could manage it all through TouchPoint.” 

A Customized Rollout For Maximum Impact 

Second Baptist Church has strategically chosen which features to adopt from the TouchPoint Mobile App to fit their ministry culture: 

• Channels: The team actively posts updates, inspirational content, and ministry information through Channels. Staff are excited to explore creative strategies (including the anticipated use of push notifications) to encourage more interaction. 

• Event Registration: The app has become the primary platform for registrations, with excellent adoption and user satisfaction. 

• Directory Access: Recognizing the desires of their older congregation, Second Baptist implemented the directory feature with clear security guidelines and privacy protections. 

• Custom Media Tab: Instead of limiting the Media section to sermon archives, Second Baptist innovatively uses it as an “Info” section that includes sermon recaps, room request forms, mission trip registrations, and access to RightNow Media. 

• Pre-Check-In and Prayer Wall: After careful evaluation and beta testing, the church opted not to use these features at this time, focusing instead on their strong existing processes. 

Building Staff Engagement And Data Excellence 

Second Baptist has been intentional about staff training and data integrity. Led by Pastor Dan, Mariah, and Ashleigh, the church developed an internal TouchPoint Champion Team representing multiple ministry areas including children’s, students, preschool, and administration. 

This team approach has fostered shared ownership and eliminated ministry silos: 
“Now we come together, troubleshoot, and learn as a team. I’m not doing it all by myself anymore!” – Mariah 

The mobile app has also empowered ministry leaders to operate more efficiently: 

• Staff can post to channels directly from their phones, a capability they had long desired. 

• A culture of expectation has been set where ministry leaders post at least twice a week to keep members informed and inspired. 

Measurable Success And A Clear Path Forward 

In just the first few months, 421 unique users engaged with the app in a single 30-day period. Given the size of the congregation (including families with young children and babies who don’t engage directly), leadership estimates that around 50% of adult participants are now regular app users. 

As Ashley noted: 
“It takes time to build into people’s routines. But we’re seeing the value grow week after week.” 

The next big milestone? Push notifications. This upcoming enhancement will reduce dependence on costly texting services, encourage app engagement, and provide a real-time communication pathway for urgent updates (like weather cancellations). 

Strengthening The Partnership 

The relationship between Second Baptist and TouchPoint is rooted in ongoing collaboration. 
Second Baptist has actively provided feedback and explored emerging features, such as: 

• Background check integrations with Protect My Ministry. 
• Participating in TouchPoint’s Discord community to share ideas and best practices with other churches. 
• Supporting other churches through the example of their app launch and overall use of TouchPoint. 

The church has also transitioned from past frustration with “database hopping” to long-term confidence: 

Looking Ahead: Continuing To Expand Ministry Through Technology 

Second Baptist envisions a future where its app becomes the primary ministry hub for: 

• Seamless Event Communication And Registration
• Robust Use Of Push Notifications For Engagement And Reminders
• Improved Staff Communication Through Internal Announcements And Guides
• Additional Creative Uses Of Channels And Media To Connect The Congregation

Even as they work to help older members trust and adopt the app, their leadership team remains energized by the platform’s potential to unify, simplify, and enrich ministry operations. 

FAQ About Church Mobile Apps

What Is The Best Church Mobile App? 

The best church mobile app is one that integrates seamlessly with your church management system, allows for real-time communication, simplifies event registration, and empowers staff and volunteers. TouchPoint’s mobile app does all of this and more, as seen in Second Baptist Church’s success story. 

How Can A Church Mobile App Improve Engagement? 

A church mobile app can dramatically improve engagement by centralizing communication, enabling push notifications, streamlining event sign-ups, providing ministry resources, and fostering community connection—all in one place. Second Baptist Church saw over 400 unique users in just 30 days after launching their TouchPoint App! 

Want To See How A Church Mobile App Could Work For Your Ministry? 

Discover how TouchPoint can help your church increase engagement and streamline operations. 
Schedule A Free Demo!

Explore more about the TouchPoint Church Mobile App here.

The Media section in your church mobile app offers more than just sermon replays. It provides a flexible, centralized space to share digital content and tools that support ongoing engagement with your church community.

This section can be configured to include not only video and audio content, but also external links, downloadable documents, and interactive forms. Many churches use this space to connect users to services, post procedure handbooks, or share event-specific resources.

For churches that stream their Sunday services, the Media section can also host livestream access, giving members a direct way to participate in worship remotely. This feature ensures that digital discipleship tools are not limited to one-time content but are available on demand.

This level of flexibility allows churches to maintain a curated, app-based content hub that meets the practical and spiritual needs of their community throughout the week.

Key Practices For Mobile Media:

• Use The Section To Host Sermons, Videos, And Livestreams
• Link To Trusted External Resources Or Platforms
• Upload Handbooks, Forms, Or Announcements For Ongoing Reference
• Keep Content Updated To Reflect Current Ministries And Seasons

The Media section supports your church’s mission by delivering valuable content directly into members’ hands—organized, accessible, and personalized to your ministry.

Looking For More Information On TouchPoint’s Customizable Mobile App?

Explore more best practices for managing your church’s Mobile App and effectively connecting to your congregation with TouchPoint:

• Other Interesting Reads: Transforming Your Ministry Engagement With A Powerful Church Mobile App
• Resources: TouchPoint Software Documentation
• Training Videos: TouchPoint Software Training Library
• Need personalized support? Contact our Consulting Team at [email protected]

Prayer is central to church life, and having a place where members can both request and respond to prayer is an essential way to cultivate spiritual support. With the Prayer Feed in the TouchPoint Mobile App, churches can encourage ongoing prayer engagement throughout the week—well beyond Sunday mornings.

When enabled, the Prayer Feed allows users to submit prayer requests directly within the app. Individuals may include their name or choose to remain anonymous, giving them the freedom to share what’s on their heart comfortably. Each submitted request appears in a shared feed where other churchgoers can view, pray, and indicate that they’ve prayed—all from their mobile devices.

Churches may also opt to include an approval process, reviewing prayer requests before they are made visible in the app. This gives administrators and pastors the ability to moderate content, provide additional pastoral care, and maintain the integrity of the platform.

This feature provides a simple yet impactful way for members to lift one another up in prayer, creating an active and visible expression of care within your church’s app environment.

Key Practices For Your Prayer Feed:

• Enable The Prayer Feed In Your Church Mobile App Settings
• Allow Members To Submit Requests With Or Without Names
• Optionally Activate A Review Process For Prayer Request Approval
• Encourage Regular Prayer Participation Through The App Feed

TouchPoint’s Prayer Feed offers an easy-to-use, intentional space to foster spiritual connection and support within your community.

Looking For More Information On TouchPoint’s Customizable Mobile App?

Explore more best practices for managing your church’s Mobile App and elevating engagement with TouchPoint:

• Other Interesting Reads: Transforming Your Ministry Engagement With A Powerful Church Mobile App
• Resources: TouchPoint Software Documentation
• Training Videos: TouchPoint Software Training Library
• Need personalized support? Contact our Consulting Team at [email protected]

As churches grow and adapt to meet the evolving needs of their communities, it’s more important than ever to thoughtfully leverage the tools at your disposal. One of the most powerful, and often underutilized, tools is your church’s mobile app.

In today’s culture, where convenience and digital accessibility are expected, a church mobile app should be more than just a digital bulletin board. It should be a true extension of your ministry: fostering connection, discipleship, and action among your congregation.

Why Your Church Mobile App Matters

Your church’s mobile app is a direct line to your people, wherever they are. When used strategically, it removes friction points that might otherwise hinder engagement.

Event Registration And Giving: Instead of asking attendees to visit a website or wait until Sunday, a mobile app allows them to register for events or give their tithes and offerings in just a few taps.

Communication And Notifications: Communications within the app can replace the need for mass emails that often get lost or unopened. Reminders, updates, and urgent messages reach people right where they are.

Staff And Leadership Tools: Ministry leaders can take notes, delegate tasks, and follow up with team members directly from the app—saving time and keeping information centralized.

Imagine a men’s minister grabbing coffee with a new attendee. Between conversations, he can open the app, jot down key points from their discussion, assign a follow-up action to another team member, and review notes for his next meeting—all without needing to return to the office.

Or consider hospital visits. Pastors and care teams can record prayer requests, update the prayer ministry, and note specific needs for families in real-time. Rather than relying on memory or later transcription, the app ensures that vital information is captured and acted upon immediately, bringing timely support to those who need it most.

Key Considerations For Your Church’s Mobile Strategy

When evaluating your mobile strategy, it’s important to ask a few critical questions:

• Are We Directing Our Congregation To Multiple Apps?
• Is There A Single, Centralized Place Where They Can Engage With Our Ministries?
• Do Our Staff And Leaders Have The Tools They Need Within The Same App?

Some churches choose different apps for different ministries or functions, but this can create confusion and hinder participation. Ideally, your church should offer a unified, branded experience—one that matches your church’s look and feel and builds trust through consistency.

A truly effective mobile app isn’t just a mirror of your website that constantly redirects users. It should have built-in functionality: giving, registrations, sermon archives, discipleship pathways, volunteer coordination, and care tracking—all accessible natively within the app experience. When used intentionally, your church’s app provides a unique personal experience that makes congregants feel seen and known.

Ideas To Maximize Your Church App’s Impact

If you’re wondering whether you’re using your mobile app to its full potential, here are a few ideas to spark thought and conversation among your team:

• Create A “First Steps” Pathway: New visitors can download the app and immediately begin a first-time guest journey—learning about your church, signing up for a newcomers’ class, or joining a small group.
• Enable Volunteer Check-Ins: Similar to using Pre Check-In for Children’s Ministry, simplify Sunday mornings by allowing volunteers to start their Check-In process via the app before they arrive to serve.
• Offer In-App Small Group Resources: Group leaders and members can access discussion guides, event calendars, and communicate easily within their group.
• Celebrate Milestones: Use the app to celebrate baptisms, anniversaries, and spiritual milestones with personalized messages.
• Track Care Needs: Ministry leaders can track hospital visits, prayer requests, meal trains, and other care activities, ensuring no need falls through the cracks.
• Promote Immediate Action: After a powerful message on serving, allow attendees to sign up for serving opportunities immediately through the app while the inspiration is still fresh.

Is It Time To Re-Evaluate?

Technology moves fast, and so do the expectations of your church family. If your current mobile experience feels clunky, confusing, or disjointed, it might be time to reassess. An effective church mobile app should:

• Strengthen Community Engagement And Trust
• Streamline Ministry Operations
• Reflect The Excellence And Heart Of Your Church’s Mission
• Be Intentional In Form And Function

Ask yourself:

• Are We Making It Easy For People To Participate?
• Are We Equipping Our Staff And Volunteers To Minister Effectively In The Field?
• Does Our App Reflect Who We Are As A Church?

If your current tools aren’t helping you achieve these goals, consider what a next step might look like.

Upgrading your mobile app experience isn’t just about technology—it’s about ministry. It’s about ensuring that your people can connect, grow, and serve, no matter where they are.

At TouchPoint, we believe a mobile app should support your entire ministry, not just be an add-on. Our app is fully customizable to your church’s brand and seamlessly integrates with your ministry workflows. Whether you’re already a TouchPoint partner or exploring your options, we’d love to help you think through what’s possible.

Learn more about our Mobile App features here.

Your ministry is too important to be limited by technology. Let your church’s mobile app become a catalyst for deeper connection, stronger discipleship, and greater impact.

Helping your congregation stay connected throughout the week is a key part of community-building. With Mobile App Directories in TouchPoint, churches can offer secure, convenient access to contact information and group connections—all within the church’s mobile app.

Directories allow churches to create custom lists for specific groups or church-wide connectedness. Many churches use directories for adult fellowship groups, women’s Bible studies, semester-long classes, mission trips, or a full church-wide picture directory.

A key component of directories in TouchPoint is privacy control. Churchgoers can control exactly what information is visible. They can choose to display full contact details within a small group, while opting to only show their name and photo church-wide. This approach gives members peace of mind and ensures that no more information than intended is ever shared.

Mobile Directories Key Practices:

• Create Directories By Group, Ministry, Class, or Full Church Membership
• Allow Users To Configure Their Own Privacy Settings By Group
• Empower Community-Building While Respecting Individual Privacy Choices

TouchPoint Directories are a practical tool to strengthen ministry connections while maintaining full respect for privacy.

Looking For More Information On TouchPoint’s Customizable Mobile App?

Explore more best practices for managing your church’s Mobile App and enhancing security with TouchPoint:

• Resources: TouchPoint Software Documentation
• Training Videos: TouchPoint Software Training Library
• Need personalized support? Contact our Consulting Team at [email protected]

Effective communication is essential to keeping ministries running smoothly and members engaged. With Channels in the TouchPoint Church Mobile App, your church can establish consistent, focused communication without relying on social media platforms or general-purpose tools.

Channels are customizable spaces within the app where church leaders can post content, updates, and reminders tailored to specific ministries or events. Whether it’s Kids Ministry, College Ministry, or Vacation Bible School, each area can have its own dedicated space—making it easier for churchgoers to stay connected with what matters to them.

Churches commonly set up one channel per ministry or group. These can be public—visible to all app users—or private, designed for select audiences like leadership teams or small groups.

To keep communication consistent, we recommend assigning a channel manager to each group. A simple rhythm like one post per week per channel ensures your app stays active and relevant without overburdening your team.

This feature is unique to TouchPoint. Unlike many church mobile apps that simply mirror a website, TouchPoint Channels offer a more personalized, interactive experience for the end user, allowing churches to meet members where they are and communicate in a more engaging, meaningful way.

Key Practices:

• Set Up One Channel Per Ministry Or Event
• Assign A Channel Manager To Post Weekly
• Use Private Channels For Leadership Or Sensitive Content
• Leverage The App As A Direct, In-Pocket Communication Tool

By using Channels effectively, your church can streamline communication, reduce reliance on social platforms, and foster stronger engagement across ministries.

Looking For More Information On TouchPoint’s Customizable Mobile App?

Explore more best practices for managing your church’s Mobile App and enhancing security with TouchPoint:

• Resources: TouchPoint Software Documentation
• Training Videos: TouchPoint Software Training Library
• Need personalized support? Contact our Consulting Team at [email protected]

In the opening chapter of Numbers (1:18), God instructs Moses to count the people of Israel—by name, by family, and by tribe. While it may read like a simple census, this act was deeply spiritual. It was a demonstration of intentional stewardship, to know people by name. As emphasized in our recent TouchPoint webinar, Strengthening Check-In Strategies, this passage lays a powerful foundation for how churches can approach ministry data today—with care, purpose, and a heart for discipleship.

Our discussion focused on a crucial tool: the Church Check-In feature. When Check-In is used in other ways to strengthen connections and discipleship, it becomes a pathway to meaningful engagement, timely follow-up, and compassionate shepherding.

Throughout the webinar, Marketing’s Hayley & Matt walked us through not just the how, but the why behind using Check-In as a ministry tool. They shared stories, practical tips, and biblical insight that reframed Check-In as an act of hospitality and care, especially for new families and those on the margins of connection.

Church Check-In Strategies:

• The Biblical Basis For Data Stewardship, Inspired By Numbers 1:18
• Creating A Stress-Free Family Experience
• Strengthening Engagement Using Check-In
• Using Attendance Data For Discipleship Opportunities
• Broader Use Cases For Check-In

This session reminded us that data isn’t about numbers—it’s about people. When your systems reflect the values of your ministry, they become an extension of your pastoral care.

Whether you’re new to TouchPoint or looking to deepen your existing strategies, this webinar offers a thoughtful and ministry-aligned perspective on how technology can enhance your mission. We encourage you to watch the recording, share it with your team, and begin rethinking how Check-In can serve as a tool for connection and care.

Additional resources you may enjoy: Church Check-In: Essential Strategies for Security, Efficiency, and Growth 

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