Most church communication tools require a new phone number and a new inbox to manage — but what if you could just text your congregation from your own number? StraightText (formerly Porterhouse) is a desktop app for Mac and Windows that lets pastors, ministry leaders, and church staff send personalized bulk iMessages and SMS straight from their personal phone number.^1
Craft a message, upload your contacts via CSV or pull from Apple Contacts, and hit send. StraightText automates your Mac's Messages app to deliver each text individually — so recipients see a personal blue-bubble iMessage, not a mass blast. Android contacts automatically receive SMS instead. Personalize with merge tags like {{firstName}}, attach images or videos, and schedule follow-ups for new visitors, event reminders, or birthday blessings.^2
What makes StraightText unique for churches is the personal touch. Messages come from the pastor's real number, so replies land right in the Messages app on Mac or iPhone — no separate inbox, no learning curve. The platform's NumberGuard feature monitors for carrier spam flags during broadcasts and automatically pauses sending to protect your number's reputation.^1
StraightText also integrates with Zapier, Google Sheets, and church management software to automate outreach — like sending a welcome text when a new member joins or a reminder before Sunday service.^2
Why Churches Love It"Personal iMessage marketing has revolutionized how we connect with our congregation. Our youth group attendance has doubled, and we're seeing more engagement than ever in our Bible study groups." — Pastor Michael Thompson, Lead Pastor, Grace Community Church^1
"The response rate to our prayer chain messages is incredible. Our community feels more connected than ever." — Sarah Davis, Prayer Ministry Leader^1
Notable- Founded in 2019 as Porterhouse, rebranded to StraightText in 2025^3
- Over 4 million messages sent across the platform, with 30+ churches actively using it^1
- Ranked #5 Product of the Day on Product Hunt at launch^4
- No per-message fees — unlimited texts on all plans with a 7-day free trial^2
- Works on both Mac and Windows; requires desktop app installation^2
