7 Ways to Prepare for Guests this Easter So They Want to Come Back

Easter is usually one of the highest-attended Sundays of the year, with lots of new families and guests visiting your church for the very first time. It’s a wonderful opportunity to welcome them, share the hope of Jesus, and invite them to become part of your church community.

But if you want those families to come back after Easter, you need to be intentional about creating a positive and welcoming experience.

Here are some practical steps to help ensure your children’s ministry is ready to make a lasting impact:

1. Get your check-in ready. Make sure your check-in process is streamlined and guest-friendly. Offer online pre-registration solutions if possible. Double-check that you have plenty of sticker labels on hand, and pray that the technology works without a hitch. A smooth check-in experience sets the tone for a stress-free morning.
2. Update your website (well before Easter weekend) and online registration information. First-time guests will be on your website long before they step foot through your doors. Update your website well before Easter weekend to include accurate service times, children’s ministry information, and clear directions. (Check out this blog post for more tips on creating a guest-friendly website, and if you really want to update your online presence and the digital discipleship strategy in your kidmin, check out this book.)
3. Check your signage. Try to walk through your church campus and ministry space with the eyes of someone who’s never been there before. Do they know where to park? Once parked, do they know where to take their children? What if they have different ages? Check the signage in your space to ensure it’s visible, readable, and kid-friendly. You want your ministry space and church campus to be easy to navigate for someone who’s never been there before and doesn’t know where they’re going.
4. Select a VIP Volunteer Team for that Sunday. Easter Sunday is all-hands-on-deck, and your team (especially greeters) needs to be at the top of their game! Create a VIP Volunteer Team specifically for Easter morning. Schedule a few floaters who can jump in when the second-grade small group suddenly has 12 new visitors. Go over policies and procedures, cast the vision, and ensure proper volunteer identification with name tags, lanyards, or matching shirts. Bonus points if you gift your VIP Easter Sunday team with a special or surprise appreciation gift that morning!
5. Think through supplies. You’re likely to have an influx of kids, so be prepared with extra supplies. Stock up on snacks, crayons, coloring sheets, and craft materials. Double-check that your nursery has plenty of baby wipes, diapers, and other essentials. A little preparation goes a long way in creating a smooth experience for families.
6. Make a plan for follow-up. How will you collect new visitor information, and what will you do with that information? Send a welcome email to the parents and a postcard to the child thanking them for visiting. Use multiple methods of communication and ask if they have any questions or how you can pray for them. Also remember to give them a clear next step, like inviting them to the next service or a special event.
7. Most importantly, pray! Before, during, and after Easter, cover the day in prayer. Pray for the new families who will walk through your doors, for your volunteers who will serve with joyful hearts, and for the kids who will hear the gospel message. Trust that God will work through your efforts and bring people closer to Him.

Easter is a powerful opportunity to reach families with the love of Jesus, and you can create an experience that leaves them wanting to come back long after Easter Sunday has passed.

Looking for Easter resources to help you celebrate that Sunday and throughout the season? Explore our Easter resources here!