Twilio is a communication platform that allows users to stay in touch with their community. Among other features, Twilio lets you send and receive SMS and voice messages. You can learn more about Twilio at https://www.twilio.com. Their Help Center is available at: https://www.twilio.com/docs.

Twilio is cost-effective for churches, and ChMeetings integrates with their platform. This guide shows you how to set it up.

The steps to follow are:

Create a Twilio Account
Get a Phone Number
Test Your Messaging Service
Name Your Messaging Service
Upgrade Your Twilio Account
Fund Your Twilio Account
Get $100 Credit Through Twilio’s Impact Access Program
Go Through Carrier Registration
Verify Your Toll-Free Number
Go Through A2P 10DLC Registration For US Messaging
Connect Twilio and ChMeetings

Create a Twilio Account

To use Twilio, you must first create an account. Click the link below to get started:

Create a Twilio Account

If you already have a Twilio account, jump straight to Connect Twilio and ChMeetings.

During signup, you must provide basic information and verify your email address and phone number. Both verification processes involve receiving a code to your email and phone number respectively, which you must enter into Twilio.

Once you complete the verification process, Twilio will ask you some setup questions. There are some which we recommend you answer as follows:

Which best describes you? Nonprofit
What type of business are you? Direct Brand
How do you want to build with Twilio? With no code at all
What do you plan to build with Twilio? Notifications
Which channel are you interested in? SMS

Once you answer these questions, your account signup is complete and you are directed to your Twilio Dashboard, Now, let’s proceed to configure your messaging services within Twilio.

Get a Phone Number

Now it’s time to have a phone number assigned to you. Click Get a Phone Number, within your Twilio Dashboard.

Test Your Messaging Service

Next, Twilio will let you test your messaging service. We recommend getting started by sending messages to the phone number you verified upon signup. Enter the phone number and the message text, then click Send an SMS.

Click Next when done.

Name Your Messaging Service

After testing your messaging service, Twilio will ask you to name it. This is the final step in your initial account setup process.

Name your messaging service and click Save.

Click Next afterward.

Upgrade Your Twilio Account

After naming your service, the next screen will display an account summary and a series of recommended next steps. Scroll down to Recommended Next Steps to continue,

The next step is to upgrade your Twilio account with the funds you need for your messaging. Click Upgrade to proceed.

Next, click Continue to create your customer profile.

Start by providing some basic information such as your name and phone number.

Now specify what country your government ID is from.

Then, upload a photo ID to verify your identity. Choose one of the available options to proceed.

Fund Your Twilio Account

Once your ID is verified, you can fund your account.

Start by going to the Admin menu, and then clicking Account Billing.

Under the Billing Overview section, click Add Funds.

Next, submit your payment information, then click Add to Balance when done.

You can fund a minimum of $20.

Get $100 Credit Through Twilio’s Impact Access Program

If your church is a 501(c)3 organization, you may be eligible for a $100 credit through Twilio.org’s Impact Access Program, which provides organizations with discounts and credits to kickstart their messaging efforts. Learn more about the Impact Access Program.

Go Through Carrier Registration

Twilio’s carrier network requires you to provide information on how you collect recipient consent before sending messages. Requirements vary by the country you want to send messages from and to; and the type of phone number you use.

Carrier approval may take 2 days.

Under Recommended Next Steps, click Complete Carrier Registration then Start Carrier Registration. (If you need to go back to this section after the previous process, go to Account Dashboard > Continue Building)
Create a Regulatory Bundle: To use your phone numbers legally, you must create a regulatory bundle for each type of phone number you use.
Go through the regulatory verification. This process will vary depending on the country your phone number is assigned to. Here is an example of the steps you may need to go through:

Verify Your Toll-Free Number

US Toll-Free numbers will not let you send messages until this verification has been approved. Before completing the verification in Twilio, go to ChMeetings and create an opt-in form that asks your congregation to consent to receive text messages from your church. Be sure to inform people on how they can opt-out, too. Save this form and copy the sharing link.

To verify your toll-free number in Twilio, go to Phone Numbers > Manage > Active Numbers. Here, click the Toll-Free Verification Required link.

This is arguably the lengthiest part of the process, as it requires you to provide rather extensive information. Here are some response recommendations that will help you get your number verified:

Use case categories: Charity / 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
Use case description: Communication with the church congregation, updates, and notifications.
E-mail for notifications: Use the email of the individual who will be managing your Twilio account.
Opt-in type: Via Text.
Opt-in workflow image URLs: Use the form link you copied earlier, corresponding to the opt-in form you created in ChMeetings.
Sample message: Thanks! Replies may not be monitored. Reach out to your church with any questions. Reply STOP to opt-out any time.

Please see Twilio’s documentation on Required Information for Toll-Free Verification for in-depth guidance.

Go Through A2P 10DLC Registration For US Messaging

This registration process is required for each number sending SMS/MMS messages to the US. To get started, go to Messaging > Regulatory Requirements.> Onboarding. Here is where you’ll be able to go through the registration process. For an in-depth look into this requirement, please see Twilio’s guide on How to register your A2P 10DLC numbers.

Connect Twilio and ChMeetings

You are now ready to connect Twilio and ChMeetings.

Go to your Twilio Account Dashboard and scroll down to Account Info.
Find your Account SID and Auth Token. If your Auth Token is hidden, click Show.
Next, log into ChMeetings and go to Settings > Integrations > Bulk Text Service.
Click Integrate to continue.
Select Twilio.
Enter your Twilio Account SID, Auth Token, and Number.
Save when done.

That’s it! You can now send SMS from within ChMeetings, via Twilio. We recommend that you send a test message to yourself or a team member from within ChMeetings, before implementing the service.