How to Send a Text Message

VIDEO: How to Send Mass Text Messages Using Church Fuel Software

Purpose

This article shows you how to send text messages through the Church Fuel software, whether you are messaging one person or sending a mass text to an entire Smart List. You will learn how to select recipients, send immediately or schedule, and track results in Bulk Actions.

When to Use This

Use this when you need to:

• Send a mass text to a Smart List (reminders, updates, invites)
• Text a targeted group using Smart Lists or contact selections
• Send a one-to-one text from a contact record
• Schedule a text for later

Prerequisites

Before you begin, confirm you have:

• Access to Contacts in the Church Fuel software
• A sending phone number available in your account
• Phone numbers on the contacts you plan to text
• The Smart List you want to message (or the specific contact record)

Steps

1) Send a Mass Text from a Smart List

1. Log in to the Church Fuel software.
2. Click Contacts on the left-hand side.

3. Open All Contacts or any Smart List.

   Select the contacts you want to text.

   • If your list spans multiple pages, click Select All so every contact is included.
4. When the action bar appears, click More, then choose Send SMS.
5. Select the phone number you want the text to come from.

6. Type your message.

   Choose how to send it:

   • Send All at Once (most common)
   • Schedule for Later

   • Drip Out messages over time (useful only for very large lists)

     Add an Action Name (for your reference only), like:

   • Prayer Team Reminder
   • Event Invite
   • Sunday Volunteer Need
7. Click Send.

2) Track Your Text Message in Bulk Actions

1. After sending, go to Bulk Actions.
2. Find the action name you created.
3. Review performance stats, including delivery and any errors.

3) Send a One-to-One Text Message

1. Open the contact you want to message.
2. In their conversation panel, click SMS.
3. Choose your sending number.
4. Type your message and click Send.
5. Optional: Schedule the message for later.

From the same panel, you can also email the contact or reply to their Facebook messages.

Notes

• Always double-check if your Smart List spans multiple pages. Use Select All to message everyone.
• Drip messages are rarely needed unless you are texting hundreds or thousands at once.
• Every message thread (mass or individual) is visible in Conversations.
• Texts also appear in Bulk Actions, so you can monitor success and troubleshoot when needed.