Amazon Prime Day generates billions of dollars and mobilizes millions of people to take action in a matter of hours. In 2025, it broke records again, with shoppers spending $24.1 billion over the four-day event, up 30.3% from last year and marking the biggest Prime Day ever. (Source: Forbes)
Meanwhile, many churches are struggling to get people to open an email, attend midweek services, or volunteer consistently.
This isn’t about turning your ministry into a business. But it is about learning from strategy that works. Because if Amazon can use intentionality to drive action, the church can absolutely do the same, with a greater message and greater mission.
Here are 5 things Amazon does well that your ministry can start doing this week.
1. Create Anticipation
Amazon hypes Prime Day like it’s a holiday. Weeks before the deals drop, people are getting teaser emails, watching countdowns, and building wishlists. The anticipation is intentional because people are more likely to engage when they expect something valuable.
In Amazon’s 2025 Prime Day campaign, NBA star LeBron James sits at a press conference table surrounded by reporters, not to announce a championship or retirement, but to hype Prime Day. The Church doesn’t need celebrities, but it can build anticipation with strong visuals, clear messaging, and consistent reminders that something meaningful is coming.
How to do it in your church:
- Plan a 2-4 week lead‑up to your next series or event (longer depending on the size of the event)
- Drop a quick video from the pastor or ministry team leader sharing one thing they’re excited about.
- Share testimonies from the last time you hosted something similar, building expectation through real results.
- Send a short email each week leading up to the event, sharing a quote, story, or sneak peek.
- Create simple, limited-edition merch (like T-shirts or stickers) tied to the theme to build excitement and unity.
2. Personalize Your Message
Amazon doesn’t send the same message to everyone. Their entire platform is built on personalization because people are more likely to engage with what feels relevant to them.
Churches often use a one-size-fits-all approach to communication. But your visitors, long-time members, and volunteers all have different needs, and your messaging should reflect that.
Try this in your ministry:
- Send a personalized follow-up email or text to first-time guests (even if it’s just a quick “Glad you came. Hope to see you again!”).
- Use different announcements for different groups: “If you’re new here…” vs. “For our volunteers…”
- Segment your email list if you use an email marketing tool. Start with two groups: guests and regular attendees.
- Create connection cards that let people indicate if they’re visiting, ready to serve, need prayer, etc. Then respond based on their selection.
- Text or email ministry volunteers with encouragement or specific updates.
3. Use Data to Make Better Decisions
Amazon tracks every click, view, and sale, and they adjust their strategy in real time. That’s how they keep people engaged and coming back.
You may not have an analytics team, but you do have useful data. Most churches are sitting on insights; they just aren’t using them.
Use what you already have:
- Track your Sunday attendance for the next month. Use a simple notebook or spreadsheet to spot trends.
- Use your email platform to check open and click rates, and resend emails to those who didn’t open.
- Count how many connection cards, prayer requests, or sign-ups you receive each week. Set a baseline.
- Ask new visitors how they found you, and keep a tally of their responses.
- Monitor social media. Which posts get the most likes, shares, or comments?
- Take a poll on social media or in person: “What would help you grow right now?”
4. Make It Easy to Say Yes
Amazon is known for one-click simplicity. Everything from the layout to the checkout process is designed to eliminate confusion and hesitation.
In church, we often have great opportunities, but we bury them under too many words, unclear instructions, or complicated next steps.
Make it easier everywhere:
- Only give one next step per announcement and say it clearly: “Sign up in the lobby today” or “Scan the code on screen.”
- Put QR codes on printed materials, screens, or signage that lead to an easy form or event page.
- Use plain, action-oriented language. Instead of “engage in discipleship,” say “Join a small group.”
- Create short, simple connection cards. Avoid overwhelming people with long forms.
- Make it personal. Have a volunteer available to walk someone to a table or help them register on the spot.
5. Pour Into the Faithful
Amazon gives perks to Prime members to keep them loyal.
You don’t need a rewards program, but you do need a plan to care for the people who keep showing up.
When you take time to nurture your volunteers, leaders, and faithful members, you multiply your mission, not your workload.
How to honor them consistently:
- Publicly thank a volunteer during service or on social media. Make it part of your culture.
- Host a short “thank you” huddle before or after service once a month with coffee or snacks.
- Host a quarterly volunteer hangout, even if it’s just coffee and donuts after church.
- Ask, “What’s one thing we can do better?” Then follow through on something they suggest.
- Send a short note, voice memo, or text to one leader each week just to say, “You’re seen.”
- Invite a few faithful volunteers into planning conversations. When people are included, they stay invested.
Final Thought
Amazon uses strategy to sell. You’re using strategy to serve. But the principles of momentum, personalization, clarity, and care still apply.
The good news? You don’t need a marketing degree or big budget. You just need to start with what you already have and lead with more intention.
Start with one of the five areas above. Pick something doable this week. Keep it simple and stay consistent.
Your church has the greatest message in the world. Let’s make sure people are positioned to receive it.
