The Come Back Effect: How Hospitality Can Compel Your Church's Guests to Return Paperback - 2018

From the rear cover

"Guests want to come back because of what they experience during their first visit. How to make that happen is what Jason and Jonathan share in this book."--from the foreword by Andy Stanley

As any good manager of a hotel, store, restaurant, or attraction knows, the key to getting guests to come back is how they feel when they're there. It's about hospitality. No matter how much effort and time we spend on excellence--a stirring worship time, inspiring sermons, a good coffee blend in the foyer--what guests at our churches really want is to feel welcome, comfortable, and understood.

Written by a church consultant and a hospitality expert, The Come Back Effect shows you the secret to helping a first-time guest return again and again. Through this engaging, story-driven approach, you'll discover how to develop and implement changes that lead to repeat visits and, eventually, to sustained growth in your church or ministry.


"Jason Young and Jonathan Malm have written an important book for anyone hoping to grow their church, expand their ministry, or strengthen their business. In The Come Back Effect, they give the reader practical ways to create a healthy and thriving culture."--Craig Groeschel, pastor, Life.Church; author, Divine Direction: 7 Decisions That Will Change Your Life

"Hospitality is, in its simplest form, the loving of strangers. This book dives deep in showing what that looks like. Read and prepare for impact."--Dr. Johnny Hunt, senior pastor, First Baptist Church Woodstock

"Jason and Jonathan provide leaders with a great framework for creating amazing experiences for first-time and returning guests!"--Tyler Reagin, president, Catalyst


Jason Young is director of guest experience at Buckhead Church and North Point Ministries, a nationally known network of churches with 36,000 people in average weekly attendance. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Jonathan Malm runs SundaySocial.tv and ChurchStageDesignIdeas.com, reaching more than 70,000 church leaders each month, and consults with churches regularly on guest services and creative expression. He lives in San Antonio, Texas.