City Church Batavia: Why Checking In Matters – The Simple Power of a Follow-Up Text
- Brainz Magazine
- Jun 26
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 9
City Church Batavia has been building community in Batavia, New York for over 25 years. Their focus is not just weekly services—it’s on people. They stay connected, especially when life gets messy.
They’ve seen what happens when someone checks in at the right moment. One volunteer shared, “I sent a text to someone who hadn’t been around. They replied, ‘I was really struggling and didn’t think anyone noticed.’ That’s when I knew this mattered.”
With experience helping people through illness, job loss, grief, and recovery, City Church Batavia knows the power of a simple message.
What a Follow-Up Text Actually Does
A quick message can feel small. But it carries weight.
It says, “You matter.” It says, “You’re not alone.” It says, “We saw you. We miss you.”
People don’t need long paragraphs. They don’t expect speeches. They just want to know someone noticed they weren’t around.
According to a 2023 report from Cigna, more than 1 in 2 adults in the U.S. feel lonely. Most feel like no one truly sees them.
A message—especially when someone’s quiet—can cut through all of that.
One team member said, “We noticed a mom stopped coming to group. I sent a quick text—just asking if she was okay. She wrote back, ‘I’ve been stuck in the house with a sick kid and crying every day.’ That text opened a door.”
When People Disappear
People disappear for all kinds of reasons.
They’re overwhelmed
They’re embarrassed
They’re hurting
They’re drifting and don’t know how to come back
If no one reaches out, many assume no one cares.
City Church Batavia trains group leaders to pay attention. One said, “I keep a note of who’s normally there. If I haven’t seen someone in two weeks, I text. Not to pressure them. Just to let them know we noticed.”
It’s not about reminding someone to attend. It’s about reminding someone they’re not invisible.
The Science of Connection
A Harvard study found that people with strong relationships live 50% longer than those without.
Another study from Brigham Young University says loneliness is as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
A single message won’t fix everything. But it can be a start.
It can be the lifeline someone didn’t expect.
What to Say (And What Not to Say)
Keep it Simple
You don’t need to write a speech. Just be real.
Try things like:
“Hey, we missed you this week. Everything okay?”
“Just checking in. You’ve been on my mind.”
“No pressure, just wanted to say hi and see how you’re doing.”
A longtime member said, “When I was going through depression, someone texted just to ask if I wanted coffee. It helped me climb out.”
Avoid Guilt
Don’t say:
“Where have you been?”
“You should come back.”
“You’ve missed so much.”
This adds shame. That’s not what people need.
Let the message be light, kind, and honest.
Follow-Up With Purpose
A message is just step one.
If someone responds, keep going. Ask questions. Listen. Invite them to talk more.
If they don’t respond, don’t be discouraged. People are busy. Or they’re unsure how to reply. Try again in a week or two.
One volunteer said, “I texted three times before I got a response. When I finally did, they said they had been dealing with a loss and didn’t know how to talk about it. But they were thankful someone didn’t forget them.”
When to Check In
Don’t wait for a big reason. The best time to check in is when you feel a nudge.
Other good times:
After they miss a group or event
After a major life event
On a birthday or anniversary
Just because it’s been a while
Set reminders. Make it a habit.
City Church Batavia encourages teams to “own the check-in.” One leader said, “Every person on my list gets a message every two weeks, even if it’s just a ‘thinking of you.’”
Create a Culture of Connection
If you're in a group, don’t just leave this to the leader. Anyone can check in. Everyone should.
Make it normal. Make it easy.
Some churches use group chats. Others have check-in teams. Some set up reminder tools or phone lists.
Whatever works—use it. The goal is the same: keep people connected.
One person said, “I almost gave up and walked away. But then my phone buzzed. One sentence. That’s all it took to change my week.”
Start With These 3 Steps
Make a list. Write down 3–5 people you haven’t seen or heard from in a while.
Send one message Keep it short. Make it personal. Use your own voice.
Repeat weekly Make this a rhythm. Every week, check in with someone.
Over time, these small steps build trust, deepen relationships, and strengthen the whole community.
Final Word
You don’t need to lead a group. You don’t need a title.
You just need to notice, care, and take five seconds to type a message.
City Church Batavia believes that’s where community starts.
“Checking in doesn’t take much,” said one leader. “But it can mean everything.”
