What’s your name?
Kelly Fetterhoff
Where do you serve, what is your title, and how long have you served there?
I serve as the Marketing Director at Bethany Wesleyan Church in Cherryville, Lehighton, and Palmerton, PA. I came on as a Marketing Coordinator after graduating from Indiana Wesleyan University for almost two years after. After spending a year in the real estate world as a marketing manager, I came back to BWC and my calling in ministry.
How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t go to church?
A lot of people don’t realize all of the hard work that goes behind running a growing and successful, healthy church. My role in this is to lead and push forward our marketing and communications to help pursue our church mission “to reach people for Christ in a relevant way.”
What were some of the things that you experienced that shaped the way you approach your work?
Working in ministry and watching our lead pastor, Kevin Fetterhoff, I have learned how important it is to be a leader that not only casts vision but carries the work out to the very end. I have learned to think about, “who am I sharing my ministry with?” I have always been driven and independent. I am learning to share my work with others, to ask for help, and to be humble.
What’s the one thing you wish people knew about your job?
A lot of what I do is behind the scenes. Like a lot of jobs, there is more to what I do than what people see on the surface. I am always thinking ahead, looking at what is, and seeing what could be. I can be juggling a lot of details and big projects at once.
What is the one tool for your job that you can’t live without, and why?
I am also really excited about a new tool we just got, Ubersuggest! I think that focusing on SEO will be a great opportunity area for our online church.
What is the biggest mistake that you see churches making when it comes to communications and marketing?
Communications and marketing can be something that is put on the backburner. Sometimes we focus on the “sprint” and not the “marathon.” By that I mean, we can get easily caught up with the day-to-day and neglect the important things. I would encourage churches to prioritize. There is always an opportunity for positive change and growth and you just have to take it one step at a time. Don’t try to drive people to your church, be authentic, and you will draw people to church and ultimately to Christ.
Who is someone that you look up to in the church communications world?
In the last year working in real estate, I have learned a lot from Neil Patel and Brian Dean’s blogs about SEO. I got to work with a team from Neil Patel and I took the course SEO That Works. Before that, I loved watching Brady Shearer’s videos and of course drawing inspiration from the Church Communications group. I am really excited to be back in the church communications world and learn from this community. This group is one of my favorite things about being in this world.
We love reading what you have to say about the importance of prioritizing communications for churches, Kelly. You said it very clearly and with emphasis. And yes, we are so happy to know that there are driven people like you in Church Communications. Keep your light shining!
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