Most church texting tools ask leaders to adopt a new number and a separate inbox. StraightText, formerly Porterhouse, is a Mac and Windows desktop app that sends personalized bulk iMessages and SMS from the pastor's own cellphone number.^1^3
Leaders write a message, add images or links, personalize with ${firstName}, then choose recipients from a CSV or Apple Contacts. Each send goes out individually, so iPhone contacts see a personal iMessage and Android contacts receive SMS. Replies land in the regular Messages app.^1
The church landing page is built for announcements, prayer requests, weekly devotionals, welcome texts for new visitors, birthday blessings, and event reminders, including photos, videos, and sermon recordings that preview in iMessage. It can connect with church management software so a new member or a new event can trigger a text.^1 The homepage also can use Zapier for automatic sends when someone signs up or an event is booked.^4
On Mac, StraightText can iMessage email addresses that are on iMessage when a list has emails but not phone numbers.^5 It also watches for carrier spam flags during bulk sends and can pause a broadcast to protect the sender's number.^4 Plans are subscription-based with no per-message fee from StraightText.^6
