significant upgrades to Rockharbor’ s digital ecosystem— especially its giving experience— under the leadership of Director of Operations Katie Bansmer. After more than a decade on staff and four years overseeing accounting, HR, IT, facilities and events, Bansmer prioritized modernizing the church’ s systems to match its ministry vision. She viewed digital engagement not as secondary but as strategically essential, beginning with the giving platform because it is highly outward-facing. During COVID-era online ministry, the existing system proved outdated and cumbersome. Donors faced complicated logins, difficulty adjusting recurring gifts, and a seven-click donation process that pushed users outside the church app.“ Clearly, that wasn’ t going to work,” Bansmer recalls. Rockharbor ultimately selected Subsplash for its mobile app and integrated giving tools, valuing usability, aesthetics, and donor confidence. The new platform simplified giving, allowed members to manage recurring donations independently, and reduced administrative workload. Though migrating donor data required a threemonth transition, the response was overwhelmingly positive.“ Everyone said how easy it was,” Bansmer says, adding that she would repeat the process“ in a heartbeat.” Greater ease also increased engagement, with donors now more actively connected to their giving. In early 2025, the church expanded its strategy by implementing Subsplash Tap, NFC-enabled discs that allow attendees to give instantly by tapping their phones at designated locations. This approach preserved the spiritual rhythm of in-service generosity while offering multiple modern pathways to participate. The results have been measurable. More than 9,000 people have downloaded the church’ s app since launch, and within two years of adopting Subsplash Giving, Rockharbor experienced nearly a 25 % increase in total online donations and a 53 % rise in recurring donors. These gains coincided with broader church growth following the arrival of Lead Pastor Glenn Packiam. For Rockharbor, improved digital giving is more than operational efficiency— it reflects a philosophy of embracing innovation to support spiritual engagement. As Bansmer explains, the church’ s recent health and growth are tied in part to making generosity simple and accessible. By aligning technology with mission, Rockharbor continues positioning itself to reach and disciple the next generation effectively.
#
8: FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH ROGERS:
Expanding its footprint with much-needed local, national— and global— ministry for more than 12 decades
By RaeAnn Slaybaugh
First Baptist Church in Rogers, Ark., is celebrating a major milestone: completion of a new 1,800-seat sanctuary— twice the size of its previous worship space— along with plans to transform the former sanctuary into a two-story administrative and education center and expand parking. For Pastor Dr. Wes George, who has led the church for
23 of the past 50 years of pastoral continuity, the large-scale expansion represents another step in a long history of campus growth rather than an unfamiliar challenge. With a background in civil engineering, George approaches ministry expansion strategically, watching attendance trends, parking capacity, and participation levels to determine when growth requires new facilities. At the Pleasant Grove Road campus, more than 80 % of worship attendees also attend onsite LIFE Groups, keeping more than 2,000 people on campus beyond services and making additional worship and education space essential. Similar pressures in nearby Siloam Springs— particularly parking limitations— led the church to purchase 20 additional acres for future development. These local efforts complement an active global missions presence, including dozens of adults serving internationally through the International Mission Board.
Funding the $ 31.8-million expansion relied first on strong congregational generosity and careful stewardship. The church raised $ 20 million in pledges, collecting $ 14 million within five months and ultimately nearing full funding. George credits both faithful giving and long-term leadership stability, noting that decades of pastoral continuity“ has been a main vehicle for the growth of the church.” Emphasizing mission over comfort, he explains,“ We always say we’ re not building for us; we’ re building for the people who aren’ t here yet.” To finance the remaining cost, church leaders evaluated multiple lending options before selecting WatersEdge, a ministry-focused financial partner already familiar with the church’ s finances and assets. Existing relationships streamlined the process, avoided unnecessary appraisals, and produced what George described as an“ exceptionally professional and very competitive” loan package. In March 2023, the church secured a $ 15-million loan, enabling completion of the project. The new sanctuary, commons spaces, and parking areas are already producing ministry impact, including 10 % attendance growth and increased giving. Yet George stresses that facilities are only tools for mission:“ The Worship Center is not the end goal; it’ s just a vehicle … to reach more people and fulfill our mission of making disciples of all the nations.” For First Baptist Rogers, the expansion reflects a deeper spiritual conviction that resources, buildings and growth all serve a single purpose. As George concludes,“ The mission drives everything … No building project … has ever been an end in itself; it’ s just the next step.”
# 9: ONE CHURCH: Inspiring, jiving— and thriving— in rural Texas
By RaeAnn Slaybaugh
One Church, founded in 2014 by pastors Bryan and Crystal Sparks, began with uncertainty, faith, and just four initial members— their own family. After relocating to Royse City, Texas, and assembling
26 CHURCH EXECUTIVE | JAN / FEB 2026