Gloo has made the strategic decision to conclude the Explorer Program as part of our ongoing effort to simplify our offerings and focus on tools that deliver the greatest value to church leaders. Over the last four years, the program successfully connected over 465,000 people.
To continue supporting outreach efforts, Gloo is partnering with VisitorReach and offering participating churches up to $3,500 in credits to help them keep building meaningful, local ministry connections. The Explorer Program was officially sunset on January 5, 2026, with all customer data and communication tools remaining fully accessible during and after the transition.
Explorer Deprecation FAQ
Why is the Explorer Program going away?
The strategic decision to conclude the Explorers Program was part of our continued effort to simplify our offerings and focus on the products that deliver the greatest value to church leaders.
Do you see it coming back at any point?
At this time, there are no plans to restart the program.
When does it officially shut off?
The program was fully shut off on January 5th, 2026. After this date, no new Explorer messages will come in.
Will I still be able to communicate with the Explorers I already have?
Yes. Any existing Explorer records in your People section remain part of your contacts. You can still continue follow-up just like any other contact.
Will the Explorers tab be removed from the Workspace?
Yes, the dedicated inbox for Explorers will be removed from the navigation, but Explorer conversations will be moved into the general inbox. You'll retain access to conversations with Explorers.
Will any Explorer data be removed? (Messages, names, phone numbers)
No. All your Explorer conversations, names, phone numbers, and message history will remain.
Will there be any refunds or prorated credits since Explorers were part of Gloo+?
No refunds or prorated credits are being issued. Although the national Explorer Program is ending, Gloo+ continues to include multiple features such as New Movers, unlimited messaging, workflows, groups, VisitorTap discounts, Content Studio, memos, and more.
Can we get a refund on our Gloo+ subscription because Explorers are ending?
At this time, refunds are not available. However, if your church needs help maximizing all the other Gloo+ features, our team is happy to walk with you on maximizing your Gloo+ benefits.
Is there any way to continue reaching Explorers?
Not the national Explorer Program. But you can create your own local version of Explorers.
How can I recreate something like Explorers on my own?
One easy and effective option is to create your own “Not Alone” workflow. Here’s how churches are doing it:
Create a keyword like NOT ALONE, PRAYER, or HELP
Add it to postcards, magnets, slides, social media, and your website
When someone texts the keyword, they enter your workflow
Your team receives the message and replies just like you did with Explorers
Churches are using this strategy and connecting with:
Local college students
Visitors
Community members
People needing prayer
Single parents
People looking for support or direction
How many Explorers did the program reach in the last four years?
465,033 unique Explorers were matched to an organization.
What other options do I have to reach people digitally?
New Movers (local outreach)
Text-to-keyword campaigns (e.g., NOT ALONE, PRAYER, CONNECT)