ChristianMingle Is Partnering With Specific Churches, To Connect Singles In Same Congregations

ChristianMingle has just launched a new initiative aimed to get singles from particular congregations to connect with each other.

The “first of a kind” co-branded initiative gives singles that belong to certain churches dedicated search capabilities, discounted membership fees, as well as “personalised” customer service offerings.

The program is currently being trialled with two churches: Grace Family Church in Lutz, Florida and New Horizon Church International in Jackson, Mississippi.

The combined single adult population of these churches is over 10,000.

Speaking about why they decided to enter into the partnership, Bishop Ronnie Crudup, Senior Pastor of New Horizon said: “New Horizon Church International is a congregation that wants to see each of our members have opportunities to make lasting, good relational connections.

“We realize that many of our people are single. But with the help of Christian Mingle, we are excited that we now have the means to include everyone in our effort to assist members in finding significant others.”

ChristianMingle’s new program aims to give churches their own virtual community on ChristianMingle, letting them connect with other members from their own congregation, as well as other users of the Spark Networks site.

Singles can show their affiliation with their church with badges on their profiles.

Members from partner churches will also receive discounted subscription rates and exclusive profile-creating support from ChristianMingle’s “Relationship Experts”.

Speaking about the new partnership, Michael Egan, CEO at Spark Networks said: “After speaking with numerous pastors about their concern with how their single members are participating in the online dating world, we have worked with them to develop a community that shares their values.

“This is an important part of our mission to help single Christians around the world and to promote healthy, happy, Christian-inspired relationships. This is just the first step and we are eager to continue to work with our church partners to help them serve their singles congregations.”

It’s an interesting strategy from Spark Networks, helping to promote the site to the very core of its demographic, and a clever way of further niching their service, by creating a community feel for those maybe overwhelmed by its national focus.

And if the early partnerships prove mutually beneficial for each party, it could be an important source of user growth for the company.

Visit the new-look ChristianMingle here.