SMS Consent

Ezra (ezraos.co) is operations software for churches. When a church enables texting, Ezra sends SMS on that church's behalf: serving invitations, schedule reminders, event updates, prayer and devotional messages, and follow-up messages. Messages come from Ezra's dedicated phone number and always identify the sending church.

Messages are only ever sent to people whose consent is recorded in Ezra. There is no purchased list, no imported marketing audience, and no messaging of anyone who has not expressly agreed.

Congregation members and volunteers opt in directly with their church, and church staff record that consent in Ezra. There are two opt-in paths:

• In person. A member gives their mobile number to church staff and expressly agrees to receive texts after hearing the consent language below read or summarized to them. Staff then record the number and the consent in Ezra.
• Paper form. A member fills out a connect card or volunteer sign-up form that includes the consent language below with a checkbox or signature line. Staff transcribe the number and the consent into Ezra.

In both paths, the SMS-consent checkbox in Ezra is unchecked by default. Staff may only check it when the person has expressly agreed; Ezra will not send SMS to a number without it. Replying START to Ezra's number after a STOP re-enables messages.

This is the language a person agrees to when opting in, on paper or read aloud (churches substitute their own name):

I agree to receive text messages from [Church name], sent through Ezra, at the mobile number I provided: serving invitations, schedule reminders, event updates, prayer and devotional messages, and follow-ups. Agreeing is voluntary and is not a condition of joining a serving team, attending, or receiving anything from the church. Message frequency varies: typically a few messages per month, up to one per day if I request daily devotionals. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to any message to opt out, or HELP for help. Mobile numbers and consent are never shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing. Privacy: ezraos.co/privacy. Terms: ezraos.co/terms.

• Consent is voluntary and is never a condition of membership, serving, attendance, or receiving anything from a church.
• Message frequency varies with involvement and preferences: typically a few messages per month, and up to one message per day for people who ask their church for daily devotionals.
• Message and data rates may apply.
• Every message Ezra sends includes opt-out instructions. Reply STOP at any time; the opt-out takes effect immediately and is recorded. Reply START to resume, or HELP for help. You can also ask your church staff to withdraw consent at any time.
• Mobile phone numbers and text-messaging consent are never shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing purposes.

• “Grace Community Church: You're scheduled to serve on the welcome team this Sunday at 9am. Reply STOP to opt out.”
• “Grace Community Church: Prayer night moved to 7pm Thursday in the chapel. Reply STOP to opt out.”