United Methodist Communications (UMCom) is the official global communications agency of the United Methodist Church (UMC). Led in Africa by Pacome Nguessan, Team Lead of the Central Conference Partnership, UMCom’s mission is simple but powerful: to share the church’s message beyond the physical church buildings to the people themselves. Guided by the motto, “Open hearts, open minds, open doors,” the team works to reach church members wherever they are, whether in bustling cities or remote rural areas.
Before adopting TextIt, UMCom primarily communicated through email. However, this method fell short across much of Africa due to limited access to the internet and smartphones, especially in rural communities. Even in urban areas, slow connections delayed critical messages. These limitations affected UMCom’s ability to keep communities informed during emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, Ebola and cholera outbreaks, and voter education campaigns.
To overcome these hurdles, UMCom developed UMConnect, a communication program powered by TextIt’s multi-channel platform. UMConnect uses SMS and bulk voice calls to deliver emergency alerts, educational messages, devotionals, and surveys directly to people’s phones — no internet required. This approach has proven vital during crises, offering timely information, reassurance, and hope.
Pacome’s team trains local users across African regions to build and manage their own message flows, enabling the program to run smoothly on the ground. When needed, UMCom provides support to troubleshoot and optimize communications. The platform’s user-friendly design means even those with limited technical experience can maintain effective outreach.
With TextIt, UMCom has expanded its reach across multiple countries without sacrificing quality or timeliness. The platform’s versatility—supporting SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, Messenger, and voice calls—ensures messages reach people across different devices and connectivity levels. Recent campaigns have included voter education in Nigeria, Congo, and Zimbabwe, as well as health outreach in Congo. Though UMConnect currently focuses on announcements and motivational messages, the system remains fully operational and ready to support any future initiatives or emergencies.
For Pacome and his team, the switch to TextIt has been transformational. It breaks down communication barriers, making it easier to engage communities and share vital information. As Pacome puts it, “Communication is central to our mission. It keeps communities informed, safe, and connected.”
