Meet Upfirst

Build a stronger community with our answering service for churches

Answer every prayer, even after hours when people need support most. With our AI-powered answering service for churches, each caller receives prompt, caring attention 24/7.

Introduction

Support your community, anytime they need it

Churches provide vital support to their communities, from outreach and support groups to Bible studies and beyond. But with so much on your plate, it’s impossible to be available around the clock. How can your church offer consistent support without exhausting your team?

That’s where our 24/7 church answering service comes in. With a friendly, AI-powered virtual receptionist, you can be there for your community day or night—answering questions, taking messages, and even scheduling events—all so you can focus on building a stronger church community.

Benefits of answering service for churches

How can our answering service benefit churches?

conversation with a virtual receptionist for church

Prompt & compassionate service, 24/7

Whether it's a late-night prayer request, an early-morning inquiry about an upcoming event, or a weekend need for pastoral care, your congregation will always have a voice there to answer the call. It's like having an extra team member who is always ready to lend a helping hand.
conversation with a church answering service

Church leaders like yourself need support too

Church leaders wear many hats, switching between volunteering to answering calls and to organizing events. Instead of handling routine calls, let us take care of those everyday administrative tasks. With a dedicated virtual receptionist, your team can focus on leading, inspiring, and supporting your community—without interruptions. By handling routine calls, we free up more of your time for the impactful work of leading, inspiring, and serving.
Getting help from a pastor at church

Build a stronger community

As a church leader, it’s important to connect with your entire community. When phone calls are going unanswered, you may be lessening your church's impact. Let our AI answering service for churches handle the calls for you, and we’ll help schedule more events, take donations, and offer guidance whenever it is needed, so you can focus on doing what you do best – leading, inspiring, and shining your light on the community.

conversation of a church phone answering service

Cost-effectiveness = more budget for other church services

Expanding your support system doesn't have to put a strain on your church funds. Channel those funds into other more important services for your church community, and we’ll help take some burden off your back. Our 24/7 answering service offers a surprisingly affordable solution, providing professional call handling that is also kind to your budget.

Features

Church answering service features with Upfirst

With Upfirst.ai picking up the phone, your congregation can receive swift and thoughtful service. We’ll make sure no call goes to voicemail and help your church become a stronger voice in your community.

24/7 church support

People’s needs aren’t 9-5, and oftentimes, people seek support after hours too. Take comfort in knowing that our AI answering service for churches  is available for the support of your community whether it’s 1pm or 1am. 

Customizable AI 

Imagine having a fully trained personal receptionist that answers calls for you 24/7. With our church answering service, you can tell it all the details about your church, set up protocols to handle certain situations, answer common questions, take messages, and more.

Event scheduling

Need help scheduling events? No problem. Leave the administrative tasks to us. Our answering service integrates with your calendar, screens the type of event whether it’s a wedding or fundraiser, and books the appointment with ease. 

Bilingual support

Want the ability to connect with a wider community? You can provide a more welcoming experience for people reaching out to your church with a bilingual receptionist. Yes, our answering service can offer bilingual services, so you can foster a diverse community.

Hotline service

Whether it’s connecting them with on-call clergy, providing resources for crisis support, or simply offering a compassionate ear, the answering service acts as a lifeline in times of need. It can even forward a call to the right person when needed.

Message summaries

Communication is essential for a church with a vibrant and diverse community. Our answering service ensures every message is captured and delivered to your team quickly and accurately. Plus, you’ll receive transcripts of all incoming calls, so you’re always in the loop.

quick, easy setup

Enjoy an easy-to-use church answering service

Set up 
Testing
Go live

Choose a toll-free or local number and select a plan that fits your needs and budget. Next, select the AI receptionist’s voice and add a personalized greeting that represents your church’s message. Need your AI assistant to book appointments, take messages, or offer a prayer? Just let us know! It’s like training a new team member—only quicker, smarter, and always at your service.

Start with a few practice calls to see how it responds in real situations. Use these calls to adjust responses and make sure it’s handling calls just the way you need. Set simple guidelines for handling unexpected questions so it stays focused and only shares the information you want.

Ready to go live? Let your AI agent take the calls, so you can stay focused on what matters. You’re in control—choose whether calls are screened or if key ones come straight to you. After each call, you’ll get a straightforward email summary with the caller’s name, number, and any important notes. With our service, you’ll always stay connected and informed.

let's get you started

Get started with Upfirst's answering service for church

An answering service for churches is more than just a way to answer calls; it’s an investment in your ministry, your staff, and your community. Every person who reaches out to your church receives a prompt, compassionate response, no matter when they call. Plus, your staff can focus on being more present and connected to their congregation, with more time and energy for programming, education, and volunteering opportunities.

Let’s serve your community together. 

Join the waitlist

Take the next step and discover how Upfirst’s answering service can help serve you by joining our waitlist.

Church answering service FAQs

Don't see your question answered here. Our support team is here to help. Get in touch today.
  • How much does a church answering service cost?

    Pricing for church answering services varies depending on factors like the volume of calls you receive, the features you need, and the level of service you require. Many providers offer flexible plans designed to accommodate churches of all sizes and budgets. At Upfirst.ai, we offer affordable pricing compared to traditional virtual receptionist services.

  • Can the answering service handle sensitive or confidential calls?

    Absolutely. Our professional answering services understand the importance of discretion and confidentiality, especially when dealing with sensitive matters like prayer requests or personal crises.

  • Can the answering service integrate with my church's existing systems?

    Yes, our answering services offer integrations with popular calendar platforms, CRM systems, and other church management tools. Ask  about our specific integration capabilities.

  • What if I need to make changes to my service or call handling instructions?

    Our online portal is designed to be consumer-friendly. You can easily update your call handling instructions, adjust your greeting, or modify your notification preferences as needed, whenever you need.