Vontoo Provides New Approach to Faith-based Communications
Religious organization finds unique calling in voice messaging

In a distracted world where instant messaging seems to reign over intense prayer, religious organizations are seeking innovative ways to keep members connected. Through a partnership with phone messaging company Vontoo (http://www.vontoo.com), one church is leading a nationwide trend in turning the latest voice broadcasting technology to its advantage.
                                                
Jason Berry serves as Communications Director for Broken Arrow Assembly of God (“The Assembly”) in Oklahoma. The large congregation is in the midst of relocating to an expanded facility. Berry was seeking an efficient method of keeping 500-plus households updated on the project when he found Vontoo voice messaging.

Vontoo delivers user-recorded voice messages in mass to any landline, mobile or Internet-based phone in the United States. Berry or a pastor records the latest update in a phone call and then accesses Vontoo’s automated messaging technology via a simple Internet interface. Next, Berry uploads his list of numbers and schedules the voice recording for distribution to members who have given permission to receive communications.
 
 “In the past, a lot of churches would use a manual phone tree which requires significant time and many volunteers,” says Berry. “With Vontoo, I can easily reach 500 households in a single call, in less than an hour.”

Using Vontoo’s opt-in/opt-out technology, recipients can choose after every call to be automatically removed from the list. A mere three families out of more than 500 have exercised this option in the past six months. “When we do the Vontoo calls we see great results,” Berry shares. “People make a point of thanking me for the reminder.”

Faith-based organizations like The Assembly are not only using phone messaging to conserve time and enhance involvement. The calling technology is also useful in stretching budgets and measuring results. Once a message distributes, automatic tracking reports show who listened to the call and for how long, as well as what calls reached an answering machine or voicemail. “Not only do I like to watch the voice messages go out and read the reports, I’ve found Vontoo to be much cheaper than traditional methods of mass communication such as a postcard,” explains Berry.

As more religious groups strive to keep the interest of communications-savvy individuals, they see Vontoo as a new way to fulfill their calling. In the future, The Assembly is considering using call messaging to spread the word quickly about weather closings or for special event announcements.

“I’ve told a lot of churches that they need to look at Vontoo and I would highly recommend it for helping to keep people informed,” emphasizes Berry. “We feel like the Vontoo messages are making a difference.”

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