December 2004

In This Issue:

Featured Events - January Icebreaker - A Bridge Event

Real Stories - Case Study: Comedy with Impact

Performer Profile - Pete McLeod: Magical Merriment

Special Promotions - Target® GiftCard ~ Referral Rewards Program

Effective Resources - Fundles!

Event Planning Tip of the Month - How to Set a Theme

News & Updates - Team & Performer News

Joke of the Month - Featuring Pete McLeod

January Icebreaker

Build off your Christmas services with some fun Events that engage unchurched visitors and keep them coming back! A January Comedy Event is the perfect bridge for Christmas visitors - warm guests with laughter, and connect them with your church in these fun and inviting ways...

The General Idea

• During your Christmas services, make an announcement for your January Comedy Event. Invite your Christmas visitors to attend and mail them a reminder as your date approaches.
• Bring the comedian(s) in for a full comedy performance on Friday or Saturday night, then let guests know that the comedian will also be performing a small show on Sunday morning at normal services.
• Allow the comedian to share a short testimony after their set on Sunday morning.

Target Audience

Location

Site Set-Up Ideas

Decorations

Volunteers Needed

Event Schedule

Ideas & Tools to Get the Word Out

Budget Booster Ideas

Added Outreach Impact

Case Study:

Outreach Event

Comedy with Impact

Event Basics

Customer Interviewed: Liz Deissroth

Organization Name: Impact Community Church

Event Name: Comedy with Impact

Event Type: Outreach Event

Event Dates & Time: Saturday, September 11, 2004 at 7pm. Additional performances during Sunday morning services.

Event Location: Held at the church's worship center.

Location Profile: The church is located in Sacramento, CA.

Attendee Type: Target audience was 18 and over.

Price per Attendee: $12 in advance, $15 at the door.

Total Attendees: 300+, the Event sold out.

Behind the Scenes Efforts:

Publicity Tools Used:

Tickets: Sold advance tickets through the church office, at Sunday services, and at the door. Strongly encouraged advanced purchase of tickets for the purpose of giving them away to unchurched friends.

Team Efforts Included: 31 volunteers.

About the Event

Event Purpose:

Outreach to the unchurched in a non-threatening way.

Event Content Included:

The house band, a warm-up comedian, headlining comedian, dessert and refreshments. A book & product table was available after the Event. Ticket stubs were also used towards a door prize drawing--local businesses donated items for the drawing.

Decorations:

The Event was held in the church's high-tech worship center, decorated for a night club feeling. Guests were seated in round tables of 8. Tables were decorated with plenty of candles and a unique centerpiece (coffee cans with a brickwork pattern cutout were used as candle holder centerpieces). Lines were roped off outside beneath a canopy.

Capturing Visitor Information:

Response cards made available.

About the Comedy Performance

Performer: Michael jr.

Type: 45-60 minutes of stand-up on Saturday. 10-20 minutes of comedy with a performer testimony at each Sunday morning service.

Response to Performer:

"We loved him! We were in stitches the whole night." - Liz Deissroth

Results

Total Visitors:

150+ visitors attended the church on Saturday night. The Event sold out several weeks beforehand.

Overall Response to the Entire Event:

"We received an awesome response from our volunteer follow-up meeting. 100% of them said they'd do the Event again." - Liz Deissroth

Total Number Salvations:

Salvation message and altar call not given Saturday night. 3 that Sunday morning.

Additional Comments

Biggest Concerns Heading into the Event:
"Timing and planning."

How These Concerns Were Addressed & Resolved:

"Creativity of the team working together. Effective delegation & follow up."

How This Compares with Past Events:
"This was our first event like this. It was phenomenal."

Would You Do This Event Again?

"Absolutely. We had an awesome response from both attendees and volunteers."

What Would You Do Differently Next Time?

"Multiple shows, multiple evenings, fewer volunteers, serve guests at tables, space tables out a little more (they were too close), larger venue, advertising would greatly increase (flyers, radio, etc.), try to get more free broadcasting because we're a non-profit."

What Would You Say to People Planning a Similar Event?

"Do it, but do it right. Don't make it feel churchy. Meet people right where they are."

Comedy Illusionist

Pete McLeod

Magical Merriment

Where are you from, and what was it like growing up there?

I was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan TWICE! Lived on a small lake and enjoyed the changing seasons. until I spent my first winter (at age 20) in Southern California!. I never returned to the land of hypothermia again! The reason I left Michigan was to join a gospel singing group called The Heritage Singers. I played lead guitar and sang with the group for 6 years.

When and how did you become interested in magical illusions?

This must be part of my mid-life crisis. Actually, about 20 years ago or so, a friend of mine made a coin disappear! I was intrigued and asked him if he would teach me how to do that. He did and it started my hobby (and now livelihood) in the area of sleight of hand. It is such a fun thing to learn and even more fun to perform because it is cross generational. Kids and adults love it and it's an excellent teaching device. I use sleight of hand/illusion/magic as a "visual aid" in my educational programs and of course I use it throughout my other shows as well.

How did you become a Christian?

I had a Godly mother. I attended church regularly. I am positive those influences helped me greatly. But it was when I was about 18 years old that I met a man who talked to me about Jesus. He spoke about Jesus as if he lived next door to Him. I was so impressed with what this guy said, plus, I had been longing and searching for peace and purpose in my life. I asked Jesus to come into my life and have never, ever regretted that decision. He gave me direction and a reason to live.

What's your favorite thing about being a comedian?

Making people laugh! That answer isn't intended to be a punch line. It's just that there is so much "heaviness" in the world. People are burdened and stressed and distressed. I am grateful to have the opportunity to help people go from distress to "de-stress." To watch people let down their hair and just enjoy the blessing and benefits of laughter.

What are some of your current struggles and triumphs?

An ongoing struggle for me is finding "balance" in my life. Trying to learn how to "keep all the plates spinning." I'm continually trying to figure out how to not work all the time, or play all the time, or study all the time or how to spend enough time with my children. etc. I'm not sure if/when I will have it figured out. There is soooo much to do in life and I want to experience it all. but I am learning that that just might not be possible. So I want to do the best I can with the time I have.

How do you see the Lord moving through your Comedy?

In my educational programs (where I mainly teach students how to make positive choices in their lives) more than ONE MILLION students have seen my programs! I would have never dreamed that I would have the opportunity and privilege to influence so many people.

Also, in my banquet programs (no matter where I am performing) I always give a testimony of what God has done in my life. I do this by performing a rather baffling illusion with a dollar bill and end up telling my audiences that 4 words changed my life and those four words are printed on the dollar bill! (IN GOD WE TRUST!) Since I've trusted God with my life He has put the pieces of my life together in the most positive of ways!

I know that it actually shocks people when I talk about God during my programs. (my non-church programs that is) but I have also received a great deal of respect and positive response for sharing my testimony. I thank God for the many opportunities to share.

As a Christian, how do I deal with the stigma associated with "magic?"

A few responses to that question:

•  I don't! For the most part I feel like it would be insulting to my audience to tell them that the rubber chicken I magically produce, or the egg I have lodged in my mouth, and/or the rock that I pull out of my shoe are not in anyway connected with Satan, the occult, or rap stars. I want to give my audiences more credit for their intelligence.

•  Sometimes, in my programs, I do a "magic trick" where I actually expose how it is done- to illustrate the fact that there is a logical explanation for all the "tricks" I do.

•  Virtually all the tricks I do are comedic. There isn't even the slightest insinuation that what I do could/would possibly be associated with darkness.

•  I am not a Greek scholar. but I do know that one of the words (in the Greek New Testament) that they use for "Magic" is something like "Pharmakai" (something like that) and it is the root word that we now use for "Pharmacist." Many of the "Magicians" in the Bible were what we might call Pharmacists- or more correctly Drug dealers. They would give people hallucinogenic drugs so that they (the audience) would see "miracles". when, in reality what they were doing was getting high on drugs.

•  This is one of my gifts/talents that I use for HIS glory. I consistently tell my audiences what God has done in my life. I use my abilities to point to Jesus. I'm not a Physician. I'm not a Scientist. I am a funny guy that sings some funny songs, does some pretty cool tricks and makes people laugh so that they might be receptive to hearing about greater things. They loosen up and I share my experience of God with them.

Where do you see yourself in the next ten years?

If Jesus hasn't returned I see myself continuing to share my gifts and talents with people throughout the U.S. and the world. I will just keep on singing and sharing and hopefully making people laugh as long as I am able.

What's your favorite Bible verse and why?

Without a doubt Romans 8:38,39! To me, (with the possible exception of John 3:16) There is enough in those two verses to save the world and show everyone- everywhere the wonderful love of our Lord and Savior!!! That God is good. That God is love. That God is gracious and generous!

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I still enjoy writing music and playing my guitar. I love travel. I love spending time with my kids. I love to read. I love good conversation. I used to love when the Lakers were a championship team.

What's you're all time favorite gig?

That is VERY difficult to answer. I've performed in thousands of churches and schools, I've worked cruise ships from Alaska to Athens. I performed for ONE person once. I had to "magically produce" a $10,000 watch for her. I did a show for a lady's 100th birthday party. and I also performed for 20,000 people at Red Rock Amphitheater in Denver CO. I have had so many wonderful experiences- from country churches to Civic Auditoriums- it is difficult to narrow it down to just one performance.

Click here to read more about Pete McLeod and watch his video clip!

Monthly Website Promotion

Receive a Target® GiftCard!

A $50 or $100 Target® GiftCard is yours when you schedule your Event* by December 31, 2004!

Just mention this ad to your Event Coordinator when you call to book an Event before December 31st! Toll Free: 1-866-400-2036

A Perfect Tool for You!
The Target® GiftCard can be used towards:

• A Door Prize for your Event
• Resources for your church or ministry
• A special gift for one of your valued volunteers
• For your family and home during this Christmas season

When you schedule an Event of...

*Booking minimum required. Offer good on new Events only. Not valid with any other offer. Must mention offer to Event Coordinator at time of first contact.

The Bullseye and Target are registered trademarks of Target Brands, Inc. All rights reserved. Target is not a participating partner in or sponsor of this offer.

Referral Rewards Program

*Qualifying Referrals must book an Event, valid on referral's initial Event only, new clients only, with a minimum Event price of $1000.

Fundles!

Outreach Comedy Top Talent
+
Outreach Communication Tools

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A Successful, Cost-Effective Outreach Event

Outreach Comedy's top-quality talent, combined with the best Outreach communication tools available, provide the essentials for an effective and successful Outreach Event. Capture their attention with Outreach communication tools, then capture their hearts utilizing a hysterical and entertaining Outreach Comedy Performer.

Now specifically bundled together, "Fundles" combine both these essential elements into one strategic and specially priced package for a complete, effective and successful Event. Ask your Event Coordinator about Fundles and pricing!

Fundles Include...

How to Set a Theme

• All Printed Materials
• Entryway/Foyer/Lobby
• Seating Arrangements
• Table Centerpieces/Favors/Decorations
• Wall/Window Coverings
• Stage Backdrop/Curtains
• Lighting
• Attire
• Prizes/Auctioned Items
• Diversions/Games/Etc.
• Refreshments
• Music
• Introduction
• Entertainment & Message
• Intermission
• Conclusion

Merry Christmas!

Outreach Comedy wishes you a bright and merry Christmas. May your church be filled with the Lord's hope, love and grace this holiday season.

Many blessings, The Outreach Comedy Team

Featuring Pete McLeod

"This has been an emotional week for me. A huge event happened. I have a very small daughter and this week she started walking! Actually, she started walking because she got her car repossessed!"

Click here to read more about Pete McLeod and watch his video clip!