Contact: Alex Coffin, 704-364-2942, alexcoffin@mindspring.com; for the Mapping Center for Evangelism

LEAWOOD, Kan., Mar. 6 /Christian Newswire/ -- The latest, state-of-the-art version of "Community Connector," a desktop technology that enables churches to attract more visitors and create more personal connections, is now available for pastors and ministry leaders, Luke Smith, president of The Mapping Center for Evangelism and Church Growth, announced today.

"This 10th-anniversary edition gives church leaders a new vision of their community. They can determine which current members live closest to a visitor, making outreach far more effective. Unlimited mailing lists are available. Needs by neighborhood can be assessed from demographic information. 'Care areas' can be created. In turn, outreach effectiveness can be monitored and enhanced," he said.

The multifaceted, yet user-friendly service is designed around the latest mapping technology, said Smith.

The desktop application with current year and five-year projected demographics tied to an all-new premium mapping system can replace residential mailing lists that churches currently must purchase for each mailing. The result is a considerable financial savings. Address correction and CASS certification for bulk mailings are other components. The program can print mailing labels for every home in a neighborhood.

The new edition also features customizable personal contact forms for door-to-door visits.

"'Community Connector' brings church members much closer to one another, especially in their neighborhoods, in a powerful way. It attracts visitors and ensures personal connections. Frankly, we know of nothing like it on the market," said Smith.

"Community Connector" connects members to leaders, assigns prospective members to leaders, manages groups, maps contacts and groups, tracks housing relocations, enhances follow-ups and tracks small group growth.

"All this fits in extremely well with existing church software systems," Smith said.

And it works!

"We do monthly mailings to our neighbors and periodic mass mailings to the 3,000 closest households to our church," said Pastor Keith Boyette of the Wilderness Community Church in Spotsylvania, Va. "We have a steady flow of visitors as a result, and we continuously have new people who choose to become attendees and then members."

The church has been a Mapping Center user since 1999.

The Mapping Center for Evangelism and Church Growth (www.mappingcenter.org; 888-627-7997), is a not-for-profit ministry created in 1997 to facilitate the mobilization of the Body of Christ in America. Honorary board members include Dr. George Barna, Barna Research Group; Stephen Douglass, Campus Crusade for Christ; Toby Frost, North American Mission Board, SBC; and Dr. Larry Lewis, Mission America Coalition.