The Power of Storytelling in Church Marketing: Connecting People to Purpose

In a quiet corner of North Carolina lies Kinston, a small town of 25,000 people nestled in a rural county of about 55,000. You might drive through it on your way to the beach or a military base—but it’s here, in the middle of the “pass-through,” that something powerful is happening. At the heart of it is 902 Church , led by Pastor Ryan Vernon —a former business professional turned pastor, whose passion for people, systems, and the gospel is changing the game for church leadership in small-town America. What makes 902 Church’s growth so special? It’s not just the Sunday sermons (though those are 🔥). It’s the culture, the intentional systems, the leadership development, and a deep love for the local community that’s propelling this church forward—and making it a model for others to follow. From Boardroom to Pulpit: An Unlikely Journey Pastor Ryan didn’t grow up dreaming of ministry. After graduating from East Carolina University with a degree in business marketing, he headed into the corporate world. But while attending a growing, contemporary church in San Antonio, Texas, he heard the Holy Spirit whisper, “That’s what I want you to do.” From that moment, everything changed. Ryan began serving in student ministry, first in Texas and eventually back in his hometown—where he swore he’d never return. But God had other plans. In 2013, with a small team of friends, Ryan helped launch 902 Church. “Honestly,” he says, “I thought we’d last two weeks. A month would’ve been revival.” Now, twelve years later, 902 Church is thriving. Culture, Systems, and Teams: The Three Gears of Growth If you’re a pastor wondering where to start when it comes to leading well and growing your church, Ryan’s advice is simple: focus on culture , systems , and teams . 🎯 Culture Culture flows from the top. At 902, the culture is about going—going into the community, reaching people far from God, and creating a place where people feel seen, known, and called. This go-first mentality starts in the pulpit and filters through every ministry. 🔧 Systems Ryan admits he’s not a “systems guy” by nature—but he’s learned their value. 902 has developed onboarding systems like their Start Here class, which helps new attendees discover their spiritual gifts and passions. They use tools like Planning Center to track those gifts and make strategic decisions about where to plug people in. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Teams Instead of scrambling to fill roles with warm bodies, Ryan and his team are committed to putting the right people in the right seats on the right bus . That means sitting down with people, learning their stories, and identifying how God has uniquely gifted them. “You’ll never feel more spiritually alive than when you’re doing what God called you to do,” he says. Raising Up Leaders Without Burning Them Out It’s the question every pastor wrestles with: How do I find and keep good leaders? For Ryan, the answer lies in intentionality . In the early days of the church, he built a core team by identifying people with strengths in finance, real estate, and business—areas where he had gaps. “I knew my job was to preach and teach. But I needed people who could handle the things I didn’t know.” Today, 902’s leadership pipeline includes spiritual gifts assessments, open conversations, and a culture of permission —people are encouraged to try a role, but they’re also given the freedom to move if it’s not a fit. There are regular check-ins, limited commitments (“Will you serve in this ministry for one year?”), and lots of grace for movement. And when someone’s in the wrong seat? Ryan offers a gentle, honest conversation—sometimes with a redirection. “You don’t seem happy. Are you sure this is where God’s called you?” More often than not, they’re relieved to be released and excited to find their true place. Yes, Church Marketing Works. Here’s Why It Matters. Some critics say churches shouldn’t market themselves. Ryan’s answer? “Show me that in Scripture.” Citing Romans 10:14, he reminds us: “How will they hear unless someone tells them?” We live in a world where people are marketed to daily—through Doritos commercials, Super Bowl ads, and Instagram reels. Why wouldn’t the church use the same tools to share the greatest news ever? “We’re not promoting ourselves,” he explains. “I just want you to get into a church—whether that’s 902 or another one. Your eternal destiny depends on it.” That’s why Ryan partnered with Faithworks—to amplify the message and meet people where they are: online. And yes, it’s working. “I’ve had people recognize me in the grocery store from TikTok,” he says. “They saw our content online and showed up to church.” It’s Not Just About Ads. It’s About Showing Up. At the end of the day, no marketing strategy can replace the power of showing up . From the start, 902 Church has been all about being in the community—not just inviting people to come in. They’ve done VBS in the roughest neighborhoods, built trust with local leaders (even gang members), and served at shelters, pregnancy centers, and schools. Ryan asks a powerful question every church leader should consider: If your church shut down tomorrow, would anyone in your city notice? At 902, the answer is yes—and it’s not because of billboards or Facebook ads. It’s because they go. Final Words for Church Leaders: Get a Coach and Go When asked for one piece of advice to give other pastors, Ryan doesn’t hesitate: “ Culture, systems, and teams. And get a coach. ” He points to top athletes like LeBron and Jordan who relied on multiple coaches to stay sharp. “If they need coaches, we do too.” Whether it’s ministry leadership or digital outreach, don’t try to do it alone. Want to Reach More People in Your Community? Start with: Building a gospel-centered culture . Creating simple, sustainable systems . Equipping teams by placing people where they’re gifted, not just needed. Getting out into your community—and online. Partnering with people who can help. As Ryan puts it, “Faithworks poured gas on the fire. We were already seeing growth, but now the impact is multiplying.” The gospel hasn’t changed—but the way we share it can. And should.

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If you’ve been granted $10,000 in free advertising from Google but aren’t seeing the results you hoped for, you're not alone. Many churches find themselves frustrated by low ad spend, minimal clicks, and little to no traction from their Google Ad Grant. The truth is—your ads may not be the problem. Your website might be. Let’s break down why your church website plays a bigger role in your Google Ad Grant success than you think, and how to start optimizing it today. The Hidden Truth About the Google Ad Grant Here's the thing most churches discover the hard way: getting the grant is just step one. Making it work is an entirely different challenge. Churches often try to fix low performance by tweaking ad copy or targeting. But what if the real issue isn’t your ads at all—it's your landing pages? Google doesn’t just want catchy ads—it wants relevant, high-quality content on the pages your ads point to. If there’s no meaningful content there, your ad performance will suffer. Your Website Matters More Than You Think Think of your ads as invitations. If your landing page doesn’t back up the invitation with clear, relevant content, Google won’t serve your ads. Plain and simple. In fact, many churches have beautifully designed websites filled with photos, videos, and branded graphics—but very few actual words. That’s a problem. Google doesn’t watch videos or analyze images the way people do. It scans text to understand what your site is about. If your site says “Welcome Home” but offers little substance beyond that, Google may have no idea what your church does—so it won’t rank your site or show your ads. What Makes a High-Performing Landing Page? Here are a few must-haves for a grant-friendly landing page: ✅ Mission-Focused Messaging – Make your mission crystal clear. Don’t make visitors guess what your church is about. ✅ Relevant Headers (H1 Tags) – Use keywords people are actually searching for. Skip the vague slogans. ✅ Strong Call-to-Actions – “Plan a Visit,” “Join a Small Group,” “Watch a Sermon”—make it easy for people to take action. ✅ Content That Matches Your Ad – If your ad promotes an Easter Egg Hunt, your landing page should be all about the Easter Egg Hunt. Content is King (But Not Just Any Content) Church websites often fall into two traps: Too little content — only a few vague lines of text. Fluffy, churchy language — lots of warm phrases, but little substance. Neither will help you. Google wants to see relevant, informative text —ideally 300+ words per page. Also, words on graphics don’t count. Google’s bots can’t read images. And while your slogan may be “You Belong Here,” a better headline for your homepage might be: “Bible-based Church in [City Name] | Join Us This Sunday at 10 AM.” It may not sound as poetic, but it speaks to real people and real searches . User Experience: Navigation, Mobile, and Page Speed Let’s talk usability. Google doesn’t just care what’s on your website—it cares how well your website works : 🚫 Slow sites hurt your performance 📱 Non-mobile-friendly sites drop your rankings 😵‍💫 Complicated navigation confuses users and drives them away Your website should work just as well on a smartphone as it does on a desktop. It should load quickly, be glitch-free, and offer intuitive navigation. Oh, and about those third-party sites like Planning Center? Google doesn’t like ads linking to those. Ads should point directly to your church’s website , not external tools. Conversion Optimization: Make Visitors Take Action You’ve got people to your website—now what? Your site needs to guide them toward action. That’s called conversion optimization . Here’s how: Use big, clear buttons (“Plan Your Visit” / “Register for Event”) Put important info at the top —don’t bury the good stuff. Tell people what to do —don’t assume they’ll figure it out. Highlight your pastor —staff pages are often the second-most visited. Add testimonials and real stories —build trust and connection. Pro tip: Your video testimonials don’t need to be professionally produced. In fact, authentic cell phone videos often perform better than polished promo clips. SEO and the Google Grant: Two Sides of the Same Coin Running a successful Google Ad Grant campaign is more like SEO than traditional advertising. That means keywords matter —a lot. Do some basic keyword research (Google's free Keyword Planner tool is a great place to start). Make sure your site includes the phrases people are actually searching for—not just your internal lingo or branding slogans. Example: You might love the phrase “Next Steps Pathway,” but no one’s Googling that. Instead, use plain language like “Join a Small Group” or “Bible Study for Women.” Don’t Get Overwhelmed—Just Start Somewhere Yes, this can all feel like a lot. But you don’t have to do everything overnight. If you’re going to start somewhere, start here: Add more written content to your website. Make sure your site is mobile-responsive and fast. Match your ads to your content. Even small changes can make a big difference in how your ads perform—and how many people you reach. Need Help? That’s What We’re Here For If you're feeling overwhelmed or just don’t have time to optimize all this yourself, we’ve got your back . Faithworks helps churches like yours make the most of their Google Ad Grant—from strategy and website optimization to full campaign management. Because at the end of the day—it’s not about ads, SEO, or website clicks. It’s about helping more people discover your church, experience your community, and come to know Jesus.

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The Google Ad Grant is a game-changer for churches looking to increase their online visibility and reach more people in their communities. By providing eligible nonprofits with up to $10,000 per month in free Google Ads, this program helps churches show up in search results when people are looking for a place to worship, seeking spiritual guidance, or exploring faith-based communities. However, Google is always making updates to its platform, and 2025 is no exception. If your church wants to make the most of this incredible opportunity, it’s crucial to understand these changes and implement the right strategies. In this post, we’ll cover: Common mistakes to avoid with the Google Ad Grant New features for 2025, including Performance Max (PMax) campaigns How to use AI wisely in your Google Ads strategy Practical tips to maximize the impact of your church’s campaigns Common Google Ad Grant Mistakes to Avoid Many churches apply for the Google Ad Grant, but some run into problems that limit their success. Here are a few common mistakes and how to avoid them: 1. Entering Credit Card Information One of the biggest mistakes new users make is adding a payment method to their Google Ads account. If you enter credit card details, your account can accidentally convert into a paid one—causing you to lose your grant eligibility. Google Ad Grants do not require billing, and your billing section should say, "We don’t bill you." 2. Mismanaging Multiple Google Accounts Church leaders often have multiple Google accounts (for personal use, church management, or Google Workspace). It’s easy to accidentally mix them up, which can lead to confusion and errors when managing your grant. Always ensure you’re logged into the correct Google account when working on your ads. 3. Expecting Instant Visitors Instead of Focusing on Visibility Many pastors assume Google Ads will immediately bring people through the church doors. While ads can help increase attendance, their primary goal is to create awareness and drive traffic to your website . Just like a potential church visitor may see your sign, check out your website, follow your social media, and then decide to visit weeks later, Google Ads work similarly. 4. Poorly Structured Campaigns Some churches set up one or two generic campaigns and expect them to generate results. The key to success is targeted campaigns with well-researched keywords, clear ad copy, and well-optimized landing pages. More on that in next week’s post! What’s New in 2025? Google’s Performance Max (PMax) Campaigns A major update to Google Ad Grants in 2025 is the ability to use Performance Max (PMax) campaigns . Previously, churches could only run search ads (text-based ads that appear in Google search results). But now, with PMax, churches can reach people across multiple Google platforms, including: ✅ Search ads (Google search results) ✅ YouTube ads ✅ Google Display Network (banner ads on various websites) ✅ Gmail ads ✅ Google Maps ads What Makes Performance Max Exciting? More Visibility – Instead of just showing text-based search ads, your church can now display images, videos, and other engaging content across Google’s vast network. AI-Powered Optimization – Google’s AI analyzes user behavior and automatically places your ads where they’re most likely to succeed. Better Audience Targeting – PMax finds people actively searching for a church or faith-based content, even if they haven’t directly searched for one yet. How to Effectively Use Performance Max for Your Church While PMax is a great addition to Google Ad Grants, it shouldn’t replace your search campaigns . Instead, use it as a complementary tool. Here’s how: 1. Keep Running Traditional Search Ads Search ads still work best for capturing people actively searching for a church. A mix of search and PMax campaigns will give your church the best results. 2. Upload High-Quality Images & Videos PMax uses visual content , so make sure to upload great photos and videos of your church services, community events, and ministries. This will make your ads more engaging and effective. 3. Monitor and Optimize Regularly Not all churches will see the same results with PMax. Track your performance, tweak your campaigns, and adjust as needed. AI in Google Ads: Helpful or Harmful? AI is playing a larger role in Google Ads, and while it can be helpful, churches should use it wisely . ✅ AI-powered Performance Max can be beneficial because it helps target the right audience. ❌ Auto-generated ad recommendations should be reviewed carefully. Google’s AI may suggest changes that don’t align with your church’s mission or audience. Best Practice: Use AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement Google’s AI is like a smart intern —it can help analyze data and automate tasks, but you still need to oversee and guide the process . Make sure the content aligns with your church’s message and mission before implementing changes. Final Tips for Success with Google Ad Grants 🔹 Have multiple well-structured campaigns. Create different campaigns for Sunday services, kids’ ministry, outreach events, and seasonal services (like Christmas and Easter). 🔹 Ensure your website has strong content. Google ads perform better when your website provides detailed, relevant information on your church and ministries. 🔹 Regularly review and adjust campaigns. A/B test different ad copy, keywords, and images to find what works best. Conclusion & Next Steps The Google Ad Grant is a powerful tool for churches, and 2025’s updates make it even better . By avoiding common mistakes, leveraging Performance Max campaigns , and using AI strategically , your church can increase its online visibility and reach more people effectively. Coming Up Next Week: Many churches struggle with creating content-rich landing pages for their Google Ads. In next week’s post, we’ll cover: Why Google prioritizes websites with detailed content How to create engaging landing pages that convert Strategies for adding content without cluttering your site Stay tuned! And if you have any questions, feel free to reach out at hello@faithworksmarketing.com or join the Pro Church Marketing Facebook Group for more insights and support.

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The mission of the church has always been to reach people with the gospel, but the methods of doing so have evolved. In the past, word-of-mouth, community events, and print media were the primary ways churches engaged with their communities. Today, however, people spend a significant portion of their lives online, making digital platforms the new mission field. Despite this shift, some pastors and church leaders resist the idea of marketing, believing it to be unspiritual or unnecessary. However, as Pastor George Ashford of Journey Church in Columbia, SC, explains in a recent episode of the Pro Church Marketing Podcast , evangelism has always been about meeting people where they are—and in 2025, that place is social media. This blog will explore why churches need to embrace digital marketing, how Journey Church successfully uses social media for outreach, and practical steps your church can take to expand its online presence. The Misconception About Church Marketing One of the biggest pushbacks against digital marketing in churches is the belief that "we don’t need marketing, we just need to preach the word." Many pastors see social media outreach as unnecessary, or worse, a distraction from traditional evangelism. However, as Pastor Ashford pointed out in the podcast, evangelism has always been about going where the people are . John Wesley, one of the founding figures of the Methodist movement, didn’t wait for people to come to a church building—he went into fields, coal mines, and public squares to preach. The same principle applies today: if people are spending hours on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, then churches must be there too. Critics of church marketing often don’t realize that many of the methods they already use—flyers, event invitations, and even a church website—are forms of marketing. Digital platforms simply allow churches to do the same thing more effectively and on a larger scale . How Journey Church Uses Digital Marketing Effectively Journey Church, under the leadership of Pastor George Ashford, has embraced digital marketing as an essential tool for reaching people. Their approach includes: ✅ Social Media Outreach – Journey Church actively shares sermon clips, event promotions, and ministry highlights on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok . This ensures their message reaches beyond just those who attend on Sundays. ✅ YouTube Testimonies – The church created a "Journey Responsible Church" YouTube page featuring real-life testimonies on topics like mental health, addiction, and domestic violence . These videos are not just about promoting the church but providing valuable content that helps people . ✅ Online Giving Strategy – By establishing a strong online giving system before the COVID-19 pandemic, Journey Church was able to sustain financial support even when in-person attendance was not possible. ✅ Quality Over Quantity – They prioritize good sound and video quality to make sure their messages are heard clearly and professionally. As Pastor Ashford said, “If people can’t hear you, then your message is lost.” These strategies have allowed Journey Church to grow in both reach and impact —all by leveraging the power of digital marketing. Key Strategies for Churches to Improve Their Online Presence If your church is new to digital marketing, here are five key steps to help you get started: 1. Embrace Social Media Your church doesn’t have to be on every platform, but it should at least have an active presence on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Each platform serves a different purpose: Facebook – Best for engaging with church members, sharing announcements, and live streaming. YouTube – Perfect for sermon uploads, Bible studies, and testimonials. Instagram/TikTok – Ideal for short, engaging clips that attract younger audiences. 2. Be Consistent A social media page that only posts once every few months isn’t effective. Create a schedule for regular posts, whether it’s daily, weekly, or bi-weekly . 3. Prioritize Quality Good lighting, clear audio, and engaging visuals make a difference. Invest in a good microphone and camera or partner with a company like Faithworks to ensure high-quality content. 4. Encourage Online Giving Digital giving is not just a convenience—it’s a necessity. Services like Tithe.ly, Pushpay, and PayPal allow members to give from anywhere . As Pastor Ashford pointed out, 50% of Journey Church’s weekly giving now comes from online sources. 5. Track Your Progress Use analytics tools to track engagement. Facebook and YouTube provide insights on views, shares, and comments , helping you understand what type of content resonates most with your audience. Overcoming Fear and Resistance Many churches hesitate to embrace digital marketing because they fear change or feel overwhelmed by technology. However, as Pastor Ashford pointed out, resistance to social media often comes from fear of being left behind . He shared a humorous but profound analogy: "If someone tells me social media marketing isn’t necessary, I ask them—do you still have a big, old-school TV in your house? Probably not. Technology has changed, and so should the church." Churches that fail to adapt are missing out on reaching an entire generation that consumes content primarily through digital platforms. Instead of rejecting social media, churches should use it as a tool to expand their impact . Conclusion The message of the gospel is timeless, but the methods of sharing it must evolve. Social media is not a replacement for evangelism—it is a tool for evangelism. As Pastor Ashford passionately emphasized in the podcast: "Just do it!" Don’t wait until everything is perfect. Start small, stay consistent, and use every tool at your disposal to reach more people for Christ. By embracing digital marketing, your church can extend its reach, engage its community, and fulfill its mission in the modern world. If your church needs help with social media marketing, consider partnering with experts like Faithworks to ensure your content is professional, engaging, and effective. Also, check out Journey Church’s YouTube channel (search for Journey Responsible Church ) to see a great example of how a church can use digital platforms to make an impact. 🔹 What’s one step your church can take today to improve its online presence? Let us know in the comments!

Learn why a clear online presence is vital for your church's growth. Discover key elements and strategies to enhance your reach and engagement.