It has long been known that Americans who have recently moved to new neighborhoods (or “new move-ins”) rank high among individuals predisposed to learning more about the Church. The challenge has been how to effectively find and contact them. This paper presents how to obtain new move-ins using lists from the National Directory Assistance database and show why new move-in calling may be the most effective way to find and teach our neighbors. Recent research cited below shows that approximately 90% of new move-ins contacted thanked the caller for the welcome, 25% agreed to a visit and to receive basic information about the Church, and 12% immediately agreed to learn more. Although new move-in calling is most effective when done by experienced members, properly trained full-time missionaries with telephone skills also experience success. The purpose of sharing this approach and its results with church leadership is to make them aware, if they are not already, of both the public relation and missionary benefits of welcoming new move-ins by telephone and to encourage the sharing of this guide with Missions throughout the United States.

New Move-in Demographics

The population of the United States as of March 15, 2005 was approximately 295,668,343[1] and consisted of an estimated 110,816,495 households.[2] It is estimated that 17,087,903 households will move in the next 12 months.[3]

Families and individuals move for the following reasons[4]:

Desire to have a new home with additional amenities.

2. Change of employment.

Educational opportunities.
Begin retirement
Live closer to family members.
Live with family members to receive support or provide support.

Desire a better climate.

Medical reasons.
Marriage
New baby or other family member.
Dissatisfaction with neighbors or the community
Divorce
Death of spouse
Eviction, foreclosure, or destruction of the home.

Needs and Attitudes of New Move-ins

A household move is one of life’s most stressful activities. Factors that may contribute to the stress include:

1. Displacement of family and friends.

2. Loss of support structures including schools, church, medical care, recreation clubs and teams, financial institutions, stores, and entertainment facilities.

3. Financial and emotional burdens associated with new home construction, home purchase, home sale, termination of an existing lease, and creation of a new lease.

4. Physical and emotional burdens of packing and unpacking household items.

5. Physical and emotional burdens of transporting family members, animals, and household items to the new home.

6. Challenges of finding and establishing new financial, medical, educational, recreational, and spiritual relationships in the new location.

7. Loss of employment

8. Finding or starting new employment.

9. Dealing with a new lifestyle as a result of retirement

10. Having a new spouse or roommate.

11. Having a new baby, adopted child, or step child.

12. Starting new personal relationships with neighbors.

New move-ins have unique attitudes.

They are responsive to welcomes by neighbors and community leaders.
They are pleasantly surprised when they are welcomed by phone or in person.
They desire to be friendly to those who welcome them and establish new friendships.
They are willing to share detailed information about themselves, why they moved, where they moved from, and their religious background.
They are willing to consider new possibilities and ideas.
They frequently are looking for a church to attend.
They are willing to visit new churches.

Why Wards Nationwide Should Consider Making New Move-in Welcome Calls.

Wards nationwide should consider making new move-in welcome calls for the following reasons:

Members have the capacity to welcome new move-ins and make a difference in their lives.
Reaching out to new move-ins may be the most efficient and effective way to meet new neighbors, have a mutually positive experience, and introduce them to the Church.
90% of new move-ins will express their gratitude for the call or visit.[5]
25% of those called will accept a visit or other information about the church.[6]
50% of those visited will listen to one or more missionary lessons. [7]
At least 50% of those called will either know a Latter-day Saint, have seen Church TV Ads, or have been positively influenced by the Church.[8]
It gives gregarious members a way to make new friends with whom they may immediately share the gospel.
It is a very effective way to find and reach out to less active members of Church.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are well qualified to reach out to new move-ins for the following reasons:

They are friendly and genuinely interested in others.
They have varying degrees of experience meeting the needs of families moving into and out of their own wards and branches.
They tend to have families that are involved in the immediate community and possess information and experience valuable to new move-ins.
They have experience and are willing to call or visit people they do not know.
They are willing to listen to others and share information.
Many speak foreign languages.
They are relatively comfortable talking about religion.
They promise to reach out to others in taking upon them the name of Jesus Christ.

Three ways to find new move-ins.

The most efficient and effective way to find new move-ins is by acquiring a list of new move-ins from a regional telephone company or new move-in list provider. For example, as of March 15, 2005, a minimum order list consisting of approximately 263 new move-ins, can be acquired for $50 from Data Partners Inc, at their online site at http://www.brandnewmovers.com. The list can be ordered on a daily, weekly, or monthly time period. The source of their data is the National Directory Assistance database. The list contains the following information:

a. Name

b. Complete Address

c. Telephone number

Personally tour new home developments, noting the address of each new home under construction, and visiting those residences when new neighbors move in.

Have members report weekly on any newcomers to their neighborhoods.

Because telephone welcomes are the most effective way to reach an endless stream of new move-ins, this method is the focus of this guide.

The New Move-in Welcome Call Dialogue

The following dialogue is based on 11 years of experience and over 3,000 calls made:

Example 1: “Yes, come by.”

Name: Steven and Linda Anderson

Phone: 505-896-1111

Address: 4983 Santa Fe Trail, Rio Rancho, New Mexico, 87144

Steve: Hello

Brad: Hello, can I speak to Steve please?

Steve: This is Steve.

Brad: Hi Steve, my name is Brad Greer, I’m a minister with a local church and I believe you moved in recently and I want to welcome you to the neighborhood. (Pause)

Steve: Why thank you!

Brad: You’re welcome. Am I catching you at bad time?

Steve: No, I have a minute.

Brad: Well, thank you. May I ask where you moved in from?

Steve: Yes, I moved in from Ohio.

Brad: In that case, welcome to New Mexico and Rio Rancho. What brings you here?

Steve: I just took a new job with Intel.

Brad: Wonderful, we have several members of our congregation who work there. I myself moved here years ago from California. My wife and I have four children. Do you have family here with you?

Steve: Yes, my wife and my 11 year old daughter.

Brad: Great, I have an 11 year old too. She attends Enchanted Hills Elementary School. Is that where your daughter will be attending school?

Steve: Yes, I believe that’s the school.

Brad: May I ask if you are looking for a church to attend.

Steve: Yes, actually we are. Where is your church?

Brad: Our church is on the corner of Golf Course Blvd and 19^th Street. Are you familiar with the location?

Steve: No I am not. What is the name of the Church?

Brad: The Church of Jesus Christ. (Pause) You may know it by its full name, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Do you have any friends or family who are members of our church?

Steve: No, but I have seen you TV ads. They are pretty good. You seem to place a strong emphasis on families.

Brad: Yes we do, and it pays off in so many positive ways. Steve, I’ve enjoyed talking to you. You sound like a very interesting person. I would enjoy meeting you! Would it be helpful to you if I stopped by to say hello and draw a map to the church and give you the meeting times?

Steve: Sure, that would be fine.

Brad: Are you normally home around this time?

Steve: Yes.

Brad: May I drop by tomorrow around 7 p.m.?

Steve: Sure

Brad: Great, I look forward to meeting you. My name again is Brad Greer, and if you need to reach me, my number is 896-1234. Goodbye.

Steve: Thanks for calling, goodbye.

Example 2: “Too busy to talk now.”

Brad: Am I a catching you at a bad time?

Steve: Yes, we are just sitting down to dinner?

Brad: I certainly don’t want to interrupt that. Would you rather I called back later?

Steve: Yes, thanks. Can you call back in an hour?

Brad: Sure, I will try back later. Goodbye.

Example 3: “Not looking for a church.”

Brad: May I ask if you are looking for a church to attend?

Steve: No, I am sorry I am just not interested in attending a church.

Brad: Thank you, I appreciate your candor. I know how difficult moving can be, is there anything we can help you with?

Steve: No, thank you we are just fine.

Brad: I have certainly enjoyed talking to you. I hope God will bless you and your new home. Goodbye.

Steve: Thanks for calling.

Example 4. “Looking for a church of another faith.”

Brad: May I ask if you are looking for a church to attend?

Steve: Yes, we are looking for a Methodist church.

Brad: There is one on the corner of Southern and Unser Blvd. The Pastor is Blaine Hughes. Do you ever visit other churches?

Steve: No, we have been Methodists all our life.

Brad: I certainly understand. I know how difficult moving can be, is there anything we can help you with?

Steve: No, thank you, we are just fine.

Brad: I have certainly enjoyed talking to you. I hope God will bless you and your new home. Goodbye.

Steve: Thanks for calling.

Example 5: “We have already found a church.”

Brad: May I ask if you are looking for a church to attend?

Steve: No, we just found a church we are very happy with.

Brad: Wonderful, it sounds like you are taken care of. I know how difficult moving can be, is there anything we can help you with?

Steve: No thank you, not at this time.

Brad: I have really enjoyed talking with you and hope that God blesses you and your new home. Good bye.

Steve: Thanks for calling.

Example 6: “I am not a new move-in.”

Brad: Hi Steve, my name is Brad Greer, I’m a minister with a local church and I believe you moved in recently and I want to welcome you to the neighborhood. (Pause)

Steve: You must be confused, I have lived here for five years.

Brad: Oh, I’m sorry. The information I received from the telephone company must be wrong. Thank you for taking my call. Goodbye.

Example 7: Interest suddenly stops after naming the church.

Brad: The name of the church is The Church of Jesus Christ. (Pause) You may know it by its full name, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Do you have any friends or family who are members of our church?

Steve: I’m really not interested.

Brad: That’s alright, I hope that God blesses you and your new home. Good bye.

Success Stories (names have been changed)

Paul and Susan Gonzales

Paul and Susan had recently moved into their Albuquerque home when I called one Sunday afternoon to welcome them. When Susan learned that I was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she became very excited and indicated that a very good friend of theirs was a member of the Church and they were very interested having someone come by the house. Two days later one of the full-time missionaries and I visited the family and taught a first discussion. Two months later the family of five was baptized.

Steven and Melissa Robinson

Steven and Melissa Robinson had just moved into their Rio Rancho, New Mexico home when Bruce Myers, ward missionary, called to welcome them. Steven expressed some surprise at the call because just the night before he was talking to co-workers about the Church. Was this just a co-incidence? He invited Bruce over and he then began to take the missionaries lessons. Within a few months Steven proceeded on to baptism.

Mark and Janet White

Mark and Janet White had just built a beautiful home in an exclusive subdivision in Placitas, New Mexico. Missionaries seldom, if every, tract in this area due to mileage restrictions, distance between homes, and lack of success among the affluent. At this time I was serving as the Stake Mission President and lived just a few miles from the Whites. I called and spoke to Janet. When she learned that I was LDS she become quite interested and indicated that her niece in New Jersey had just joined the Church and was quite happy. She agreed to receive a visit. My wife and I left some baked goods and a Christmas video on the doorstep, as no one was home at the appointed time. When I called back, Janet made a very interesting report. She indicated her husband was a consultant for a large worldwide consulting firm and that he had been engaged by the Church to assist with the Church’s membership systems. He was in Salt Lake when I called. Janet shared the information with her husband Mark who asked the “Elders” in Salt Lake to verify that I was who I said I was. I was quite surprised to learn that Mark reported back to Janet that I was indeed a member of the Church and identified the name of the ward I attended. Coincidentally, the “Elders” had just given him a Book of Mormon. The missionaries began teaching the Whites and they and their son attended church several times before they moved to Washington. We maintained our friendship for several years. It was an extremely positive experience for all of us.

April Wong

While I was serving as the Bishop of the Bernalillo Ward I made a new move-in call to April Wong, a single mother of three, who had recently moved in across the street from the church. April asked if the church had a choir that she and her 14 year old daughter could sing in. She also wanted to know if there were activities for her 12 year old son and seven year old daughter. I took the missionaries with me on the first visit. The whole family was excited about the invitation to attend a church so close to their home. Soon the entire family was being taught and ward leaders rallied to involve them in choir, Scouting, Young Women and Primary. Although April could not make the commitment to be baptized, she wholeheartedly supported her two older children in their decision.

“I was just on my knees when you called”.

Both of my cars had broken down and my missionary activities were on this particular day “limited” to welcome calls. As always, I prayed for guidance before I began calling. After several calls I was thrilled when the young lady responded to my welcome by saying, “I was just on my knees when you called.” She had been struggling with a decision to marry and was seeking guidance. We talked about the Book of Mormon and she agreed to receive one by mail, as she was about to move to the southern part of the state. I experienced an exhilarating sense of joy as I shared the details of the call with my family. I sensed an unmistakable partnership with the Lord. I could now go deal with replacing head gaskets!

“I’m sorry we already have a church, we are Mormons!”

Years ago Renee and Carl Peterson had joined the Church in Oklahoma but had become inactive. They had moved to New Mexico and lived at the far northern boundary of the ward approximately 30 miles from the chapel. Renee responded to my welcome as a minister with a local church by saying, “I am sorry, we already have a church, we’re Mormons!” She was surprised when I announced I was too. At that particular moment I was training the full-time missionaries who also greeted her on the speakerphone. Soon we began making visits, visiting and home teachers where assigned, and they were once again in the care of loving members.

“I would have never let you in.”

Shelley O’Brian responded to my call like most do, thanking me for calling but then she quickly followed up by asking what we believe about Jesus and whether we were the church that did genealogy. I learned that she was part Native American and that she was anxious to find her roots. She also wanted to know about our belief in Jesus. I promised her some one would visit her on Sunday afternoon and answer her questions. The couple I had in mind could not make the visit so I sent the missionaries. While they were teaching her she said, “Had you knocked on my door, I would have never let you in, and here you are in my front room teaching me!”

“I will tell you what brings me here from Belize when you come over to see me.”

Juan Barrios was thankful for my call and accepted my invitation to stop by to introduce

myself and provide him some information about the church. However he would not tell

me why he, his wife and two sons had moved here from Belize. He responded to my question saying, “I will tell you what brings me here from Belize when you come over to see me.” I few days later my son, daughter and I presented them with brownies and a church video. I soon learned that in two weeks their five year-old son was to have open-heart surgery. Juan felt that God had opened the way for them to leave Belize and obtain medical help here in the United States. He was also confident that God had led me to him and as a result, was willing to receive the missionary lessons. The surgery was successful. The missionaries began teaching and he is reading the Book of Mormon and learning why God led me to him. Interesting to me is the fact that as part of a 40 day ward fast for missionary work our family had completed our fast on the very day I called Juan.

Questions and Answers

1. What training should I have before I begin calling?

A. Thorough training is essential for the comfort and success of those calling. We suggest at least four hours of instruction and role play with at least 30 different new move-in scenarios, followed by listening to at least one hour of live calls. A trainer should listen to the first hour of actual calls and provide encouragement, feedback, and suggestions.

2. What should I know about my community before I begin calling?

A. What you know now is probably sufficient, even if you have only been living in your area a few months. New move-ins will be more impressed with your kindness and concern than the fact you know everything about your community. If you feel like you need to know more about your community, the following information might be helpful, but try not to let it get in the way of making welcome calls.

1. Names and locations of new subdivisions, apartment complexes, and main roads. You may want to drive the streets of your community to reacquaint yourself with homes, businesses, parks etc.

2. Obtain a detailed street map.

3. On the map, you may want to note where members live so you can easily solicit their involvement.

4. Names of the schools.

5. Names and locations of the principal churches and the name of the presiding minister, pastor, priest or rabbi.

6. Youth athletic organizations.

7. Voting precincts

3 Should I treat the phone calling and visit like a missionary experience?

Yes. Prior to every telephone session, pray that you will feel love for those you are about to welcome, that you will be a good listener, and that you can leave a blessing on those you call. Be assured that the telephone experience is a powerful way to reach and communicate with new move-ins. You will soon discover that as you approach your telephone calls prayerfully, others will comment on how they believe God has sent you to them. This will not be a coincidence! Hundreds have been found and taught through new move-in calls. You will soon discover that you are the Lord’s indispensable partner in His mission of “seeking and finding that which is lost.”

4. What is the hardest aspect of making new move-in calls?

A: The hardest aspect is learning how to gracefully say goodbye when you learn the new move-in does not want to meet you. Using the examples in this training will help you gracefully say goodbye and at the same time leave a blessing on the new move-in. Another difficulty some have is speaking with an unnatural enthusiasm and speaking too fast. Speak just as you would if you were greeting a neighbor who just moved in next door. Try making a conscious effort to “tone down” the call.

5. How many times should I let the phone ring?

A. Let the phone ring no more than 4 times. Generally, if it takes more than four rings, the family is busy doing something and now may not be a good time to talk.

6. What is good time to call?

A. Almost any time but generally you should not call before 9 a.m. and not after 9 p.m.

7. How long should each calling session last?

A. Try to call for at least one hour although shorter periods of time are fine also. Because making new move-in calls takes mental preparation and some adjustment each time you call, a minimum one hour calling session is justified.

8. How long should each call last?