When the information is already there
Church websites have a lot of information to share. A first-time guest might want to know what to expect on Sunday, while someone who’s attended for years may be looking for a group, registering for an event or exploring ways to get involved.
The answers might already be on the website, but visitors don’t always know which page to look for or how to find what they need.
That was the opportunity we explored with OneChurch.to, a church in Toronto with an established website, online forms and a wide range of ministries and community programs.
Their team wasn’t looking for a new website. They wanted to make the information they already had more accessible, giving people a way to ask questions and find useful answers without having to call or email the church.
In March 2025, we introduced Beacon, our custom AI chatbot, to their existing website.
Helping Visitors Find Answers and Take Their Next Step
One of the benefits of an AI chatbot is that visitors can ask questions in their own words rather than having to navigate through several pages.
For example, someone looking for a community group may not know what the church calls its different group programs. Another person might be interested in an upcoming event but isn’t sure where to find registration details.
Beacon helps visitors explore those questions conversationally, providing relevant information and directing them to the appropriate pages, forms and resources.
For OneChurch.to, this includes helping people discover church events, community groups, ministries, teaching resources and ways to connect with the church.
Just as importantly, Beacon helps people move beyond finding an answer.
If someone wants to join a group, the next step might be a link to available groups or a registration form. If they’re looking for ways to support the church, Beacon can direct them to the appropriate giving information.
The goal isn’t to replace the website’s existing pages and forms. It’s to make them easier to find and use.
Connecting Current Information with Church-Specific Knowledge
A useful chatbot needs more than a collection of general answers. It needs information that reflects the organization it represents.
Some church information remains relatively consistent, such as its beliefs, mission and general ministry structure. Other information changes frequently, including upcoming events, available groups and seasonal programming.
For OneChurch.to, we developed Beacon around both types of information.
Configured connections allow Beacon to look up selected information from the church’s public group, registration and teaching sources. That helps visitors find relevant opportunities and resources without needing to know exactly where that information lives.
We also worked with the church to build a more detailed knowledge base. This included supporting documents, information about its beliefs, and context about its affiliation with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC).
As the project developed, we expanded Beacon’s knowledge to better address seasonal events such as Christmas and Easter, along with new ministry initiatives.
This combination is important. Connections to current information help with questions about what’s happening, while carefully maintained church-specific content helps Beacon explain the organization and its ministries.
Both need attention as information changes.
Knowing When a Personal Connection Matters
Not every question should end with an AI-generated answer.
Someone may have a question that requires more context, a particular ministry leader’s input or a personal conversation with church staff.
We wanted Beacon to be helpful in those situations too.
When it doesn’t have enough information to provide a clear answer, visitors can be directed toward the appropriate contact options.
This gives people another way to connect rather than leaving them without a useful next step.
For churches in particular, that distinction matters. Technology can make information easier to access, but the relationships behind the ministry remain personal.
Beacon is there to support those connections, not replace them.
Built Through Collaboration and Ongoing Refinement
One of the most rewarding parts of working with OneChurch.to has been the collaboration with their in-house IT and public relations teams.
They brought valuable knowledge about how the church operates, how its ministries connect and the kinds of questions people might have when visiting the website.
As we worked together, the team discovered additional ways Beacon could help visitors explore church life, access forms and find opportunities to participate.
The project also demonstrated that launching a chatbot is only the beginning.
Since March 2025, we’ve continued refining Beacon as the church’s information and needs have evolved. That ongoing work helps keep it useful as new programs, events and opportunities are introduced.
Making Your Existing Website More Helpful
OneChurch.to is a good example of how a website can become more useful without needing to be redesigned.
For churches and other organizations, a practical starting point is to consider the questions people ask most often.
Are visitors looking for information that’s already published? Do they struggle to find the right page or form? Are staff regularly answering questions that could be addressed through existing resources?
A custom AI chatbot can help connect those questions to useful information and next steps. It can also reveal opportunities to make communication clearer as new questions arise.
The important part is building it around the organization, keeping its information current and making sure people can still reach someone when they need personal assistance.
That’s what we’ve enjoyed helping OneChurch.to accomplish with Beacon.
If you’re interested in bringing something similar to your website, you can learn more about our Beacon AI chatbot or get in touch with our team to explore what it could look like for your organization.
Ancy Joy
