Following Up with Easter Guests: How to Turn One-Time Visitors into Regular Attenders

Easter is one of the biggest Sundays of the year for most churches. It’s a time when many first-time visitors walk through your doors. But the real opportunity lies in what happens after Easter. Following up with guests is key to helping them take the next step and get connected to your church beyond Easter Sunday.

Here are some practical ways to follow up effectively and make a lasting impact.

Get Their Information

You can’t follow up with someone if you don’t have their contact information. Make it easy and compelling for guests to share their info by offering them a reason to do so.

How to collect info:

• Have a simple connection card that guests can fill out.
• Offer a guest gift (e.g., a coffee mug, book, or gift card) as a thank-you for sharing their info.
• Provide a digital sign-up option using a QR code that links to a short form.
• Use a kids' check-in system as an opportunity to gather family contact details.

Make sure whatever method you choose is simple and non-invasive so guests feel comfortable participating.

Send a Handwritten Thank-You Card

A personal touch goes a long way. Within a few days of Easter, send a handwritten thank-you card to first-time guests. This simple act can leave a lasting impression and make them feel valued.

What to include in the card:

• A genuine thank-you for attending.
• A mention of how glad your church was to have them.
• An invitation to return for an upcoming series or event.

Even if you have a large number of guests, consider enlisting a team of volunteers to help write cards—it’s worth the effort.

Send a Follow-Up Email Sequence

A well-planned email follow-up sequence helps keep the conversation going after Easter. Make sure these emails are engaging, friendly, and not overly promotional.

Suggested sequence:

1. Day 1-2: A warm welcome email, thanking them for attending.
2. Day 3-5: An email sharing more about your church’s mission and values.
3. Day 7-10: An invitation to an upcoming event, sermon series, or small group.
4. Day 14-21: A testimonial from someone who found community in your church.

If you need a ready-made email sequence, download a free one here: Easter Guest Follow-Up Email Sequence.

Plan an Event or Sermon Series to Invite Them Back

Give guests a reason to return soon after Easter. Have something lined up that will be relevant and engaging for them.

Ideas for post-Easter engagement:

• A new sermon series that meets a felt need (e.g., "Finding Hope in Difficult Times").
• A church picnic or social event where people can meet others in a relaxed setting.
• A Q&A session with the pastor about faith and life.
• A next steps class for those interested in learning more about the church.

Mention this upcoming opportunity during the Easter service and include it in your follow-up messages.

Run a Custom-Targeted Meta Ad Campaign

Stay top-of-mind by retargeting Easter guests with Meta (Facebook & Instagram) ads. If you collected contact information, you can upload that data to Meta Ads Manager and run custom-targeted ads for the people who attended.

If you don’t have specific guest data, running a general brand awareness ad to your community with images and messaging from Easter can still keep your church visible.

Ad ideas:

• "We loved celebrating Easter with you! Hope to see you again soon."
• "New series starting this Sunday: [Sermon Series Name]—Come check it out!"
• "Finding purpose after Easter? Let’s talk about what’s next."

Keep the ads simple, engaging, and focused on building relationships rather than pushing attendance.

Connect Through Social Media

Many first-time guests will check out your church’s social media before deciding to return. Make sure your pages reflect an authentic, welcoming community.

Ways to engage guests on social media:

• Post Easter recap photos or videos so guests can relive the experience.
• Share testimonials of people whose lives have been impacted by your church.
• Go live on Facebook or Instagram to personally invite guests back for a post-Easter event.
• Encourage your congregation to comment and engage with guests in a welcoming way.

Follow Up with Kids & Families

If a guest family attended with kids, follow up specifically with them. Parents love knowing their kids are valued and cared for.

Ways to follow up with families:

• Send a personalized note from the children’s ministry thanking them for attending.
• Invite them to an upcoming family-friendly event.
• Provide resources (a free kids' devotional, parenting tips, etc.) as a helpful touchpoint.

Families who feel like their children are thriving are more likely to return.

Personally Reach Out to Those Who Showed Interest

Some guests will express deeper interest in getting involved—don’t let that go unnoticed! Assign a follow-up team to personally connect with those who:

• Indicated on a connection card that they’d like more info.
• Asked about small groups, baptism, or serving opportunities.
• Stayed after service to chat with leaders.

A personal text, call, or coffee invitation can go a long way in making guests feel truly seen and welcomed.

Final Thoughts

Easter brings people through your doors, but follow-up is what keeps them coming back. By implementing these simple yet intentional strategies, you can make a lasting impact on guests and help them take their next steps toward faith and community.

Which follow-up ideas will your church implement this Easter?

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