Doc Summary
MissionaryConnect is designed to help churches keep missionaries visible before their congregation. The system brings together missionary profiles, location data, media, and updates into one unified platform that powers the Digital Missions Display and the MissionaryConnect web application.
At its core, MissionaryConnect is a structured system that organizes missionary information and presents it through an interactive world map and profile pages.
System Architecture #
MissionaryConnect is built on the Laravel web application framework. Laravel provides the structure for how the application processes requests, stores information, and renders pages.
The platform is organized into several key components:
Application Logic
Handles how the system processes requests, updates missionary profiles, and manages church data.
Routing System
Directs incoming web requests to the correct part of the application.
Database Layer
Stores all missionary information, churches, users, prayer letters, and location data.
User Interface
Displays the map, missionary profiles, and administrative tools that users interact with.
This structure allows the platform to remain stable, secure, and scalable as more churches and missionaries are added.
Core Features #
MissionaryConnect provides several major features that power the Digital Missions Display.
Interactive World Map
Missionaries are placed on a spinning globe or world map using geographic coordinates. Users can zoom into regions and click on missionary pins to view their profile pages.
Missionary Profiles
Each missionary has a dedicated profile page that can include:
• Name and family information
• Sending church
• Mission field
• Photos and videos
• Prayer letters and updates
These profiles allow church members to learn about missionaries and stay connected to their work.
Administrative Management
Church administrators have tools to manage missionary profiles, control what content is visible, and update information as missionaries move or publish new updates.
Account Authentication
The platform uses a secure authentication system that allows churches, missionaries, and administrators to log in and manage their accounts safely.
Data Flow #
MissionaryConnect follows a simple but powerful data flow process.
Missionary information is stored in the database.
Location coordinates are assigned to the missionary profile.
The map system retrieves the coordinates and places pins on the map.
When a user clicks a pin, the missionary profile is loaded and displayed.
This process allows the map to dynamically update as new missionaries are added or profiles are updated.
Security and Visibility Controls #
MissionaryConnect includes visibility controls to protect missionaries serving in sensitive locations.
Profiles can be marked as private, restricted, or public depending on the needs of the missionary and the church.
This ensures that missionaries in restricted areas can still be represented without exposing sensitive information.
Dependencies #
MissionaryConnect relies on several technologies that work together to power the system.
• Laravel web framework
• Tailwind CSS for the interface
• Database storage for missionary records
• Stripe integration for subscription management
• Geographic location services for mapping
These technologies allow the platform to remain fast, secure, and flexible.
Deployment #
MissionaryConnect runs as a web application hosted on a private and secure web server. The application has a primary and secondary data center. One data center is on the East Coast, the other is in the Midwest. This redundancy assures subscribers that their data will be accessible.
Churches access the system through a web browser, and the Digital Missions Display can run in kiosk mode on dedicated display devices like Android 13, Windows Pro, or MacOS.
Because the system is web-based, updates and improvements can be deployed without requiring users to install new software.
Purpose of the Platform #
The mission behind MissionaryConnect is simple.
To help churches keep the harvest field prayed up and visible.
By bringing missionary information, media, and updates into one platform, churches can strengthen their connection to the missionaries they support and encourage greater prayer and engagement.
