August 2005

Featured Event Idea - Healthy Spirit Workshop

Real Stories - Case Study- "Comedy Night with Panic Squad"

Performer Profile - Featuring Nick Arnette

Special Promotions - Free Dominos Pizza Gift Certificates

Effective Resources - Event Planning Guide

Event Planning Tip of the Month - Effective Visitor Follow-Up

News & Updates - Team & Performers, National Outreach Convention, Night of Comedy, Comedy Break and the Outreach Roadshow

Joke of the Month - Featuring Nick Arnette

Healthy Spirit Workshop

Get recharged, renergized and refueled from the inside out...

Throw a Healthy Spirit Workshop!

This is a great idea for people of all ages and its quick, simple and fun. Here's a quick rundown:

• Pick a fruit.
• Research its a effects on the human body.
• Share the positive results with your church, work or family.
• Test the results for 1 month and see how you feel!

This is a great way to learn more about to stay healthy and build accountability in your circle of friends. Here's an example of a fruit you can start off with this month:

Banana

Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

• Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

• PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

• Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

• Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

• Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

• Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

• Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

• Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

• Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

• Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

• Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system. Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

• Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

• Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan. Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

• Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

• Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine,"eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

• Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!
  

Banana vs. Apple a day?

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

For more information on some of the latest ways to having a better healthier lifestyle, check out Dr. Nick under the Speakers section at www.outreachevents.com!

Case Study:

"Comedy Night With Panic Squad "

Event Basics

Customer Interviewed: Pastor Dave Hansen

Organization Name:  Delta Breeze Christian Church

Event Name:  Comedy Night with the Panic Squad

Event Type: Comedy Night & Sunday morning comedy show

Event Dates & Time:  June 17th (6:30 p.m.) & June 19th (10 a.m.)

Event Location:  Freedom High School Multipurpose room

Location Profile:  We meet at a local High school using their multipurpose room which includes a stage area and ample room for hosting a show.

Attendee Type:   Children through adults

Price per Attendee:   $7.00 per person (included a B.B.Q. dinner)

Total Attendees:   Approx. 125

Behind the Scenes Efforts

Publicity Tools Used:   Outreach mailing to 5,000 homes, local ad in paper, announcements through church.

Tickets:   $7.00 and it included dinner.

Team Efforts Included:   Rachel Showers did the research, made the contacts, organized a group of people to sell tickets, prepared the dinner, and entertained the Panic Squad players on their off day.  A good group of people who cooked, set up, prepared tables, decorated and many other efforts that were very well done.

About the Event

Event Purpose:   Outreach (on Friday) and Outreach & Movement (on Sunday)

Decorations:  Friday included round tables decorated with a fish bowl with a goldfish in each bowl.  These were given to children at the end of the evening.  We used a quality sound system with stage lighting to enhance the performance.

Capturing Visitor Information:  We held a raffle in which people gave us the pertinent information.

About the Comedy Performance

Performer: The Panic Squad

Type:   Comedy

Response to Performer:   The people really enjoyed the show and the comedy.  The Panic Squad did a great job of engaging the people, involving them and making them laugh.  The children in particular really liked the show.  They could have sat there for hours to watch them perform.

Results

Total Visitors:   About ½ of the audience was new to our church.

Overall Response to the Entire Event:  People enjoyed it.  It was a good first time out for us.  We learned some things that will help us with future events.  With more people the response would have been even better.  We didn’t advertise and promote as effectively as we could have.  Also, the dinner took longer to prepare and serve and the Panic Squad had to overcome a late start and anxious people.  And they did a great job of doing that.

New Attendees Retained:  At this point we haven’t retained but we have opened some doors that were closed previously.  This is a marathon and not a sprint.

Additional Comments

Biggest Concerns Heading into the Event:  Cost.  Getting a crowd.

How These Concerns Were Addressed & Resolved:   The cost was very high for a church our size and we didn’t overcome a late start on the promotion.  Those were things that we have learned for future events.

Would You Do This Event Again?   Yes, with preparation and planning months ahead of time and with some changes to what would be included in the cost of a ticket.

What Would You Do Differently Next Time?  Dessert served rather than dinner.  Different venue.  Start promotion much earlier.  Promote differently- through T.V. and radio as well as print.

Nick Arnette

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

I grew up in suburban Denver. It was an ok place to grow up. Not many trees though. I think it was because there was a layer of polyester about one foot below the soil!

When and how did you become interested in being a comedian?

I did lots of skits in high school youth group. I used to love making people laugh. I also got pretty good at standing up in front of groups and making jokes to overcome my shyness of standing in front of them. I’m still kind of shy, but as soon as I’m up there and people are laughing, it all goes away.

My first time on stage was March 26th 1984 at the Comedy Works in Denver. To this day, it was one of the best comedy sets I’ve ever had.

How do you see the Lord impacting your comedy?

It was in a Bible study at my junior high school in 9th grade. Before that, I went to church every Sunday, and I mean EVERY Sunday, but I didn’t know what it meant to have a relationship with Christ and to have Him as my one and only Savior.

What are some of your current career struggles and triumphs?

I just love doing the gigs. I’ve met some incredible people along the way. People are usually at the gig because they want to laugh and have fun, and it brings me great joy to be a part of that.

Where do you see your self in ten years?

I travel a lot and get disconnected with my home church. The flip side of that is that I go to a lot of incredible churches and get fired up by their enthusiasm for reaching people for Christ.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I’m merely a vessel. A sinner, saved by God’s grace. It’s such an honor that the Lord allows me to be a part of His work. By all means, if there’s any moving, it’s 100% the Lord and 0.00% Nick Arnette. Everything is His, even the comedy.

How do you see the Lord moving through your comedy?

I’d just love to be hosting a Tonight Show format television show. The problem is, twenty years ago, that’s where I wanted to be in ten years! It’s all up to God and so far, it’s not His will for me to do that. If I’m still doing comedy gigs and speaking at churches around the country, I’ll be absolutely delighted to still be a part of that ministry.

What is your favorite Bible verse?

Ephesians 5:20  always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  It reminds me to keep my focus on Christ, regardless of the circumstances.

What's you're all-time favorite gig?

I have a wide variety of interests. I have over 350 CDs, so I love music and have an IPOD packed full of it. I’m an avid scuba diver. I dive mostly at night when most of the sharks are hungry! I also love to fly fish.

I don’t have a favorite gig per se, just like I don’t have a favorite food per se. They are all unique and they almost all have something I’m blessed by that’s very special and words can’t describe.

Anything else?

There’s nothing on earth I’d rather do than a comedy gig  or speak at a church. It brings me unimaginable joy. I feel so blessed and honored to be a part of this ministry.

Monthly Website Promotion

When you schedule an Outreach Comedy Event*beginning in August, ask to receive your FREE Dominos Pizza Gift Certificate. Remember:quanitities are limited so call now to book your Outreach Event!

*Booking minimum $1,000 required. Offer good on new Events only. Offer good while supplies last. Not valid with any other offer. Must mention offer to Event Coordinator at time of first contact. Promotion and prizes sponsored by Outreach Events .

Event Planning Guide!

Features:

-3 Ring Binder. 96 pages.

-1 CD ROM with worksheets and forms.

The Event Planning Guide gives your everything you need to organize an effective Outreach Event. Based on the 3 P's of Event planning: Pray, Plan and Promote, the 96-page guide features planning schedules, discussion guides, budget and fundraising ideas, preparation checklists, follow-up guidelines and more! If you find this eNewsletter helpful, you'll LOVE the Event Planning Guide!

Yours FREE* when you book an Outreach Event, or $24.99 from the Outreach Catalog. Call 800-991-6011 to order it directly!

*Limit one per customer.

Effective Visitor Follow-Up

Use your registrations, contact cards or door prize entries to follow-up with your guests within 2 weeks of your Event. Personally mail, email, call or visit your guests. The personal touch is what counts here - guests look for personal connections in a church they'll eventually call home. Recruit volunteers to lighten the volume, or match cards up with appropriate ministries for personal follow-up.

• Welcome: Let your guests know that you're glad they could come. Make a personal connection if possible. If calling or visiting, ask if they were able to meet anyone from the church.
• Information: Inform them of ministries, Events, or other information they might find interesting. If calling of visiting, ask if they have any questions about the church.
• Invitation: Invite guests to attend your next Event, normal church services, small group or ministry that might interest them. Call to follow-up any written notes.
• Personal Significance: Keep your tone warm, genuine, and welcoming instead of repetitive or monotonous. Space calls out if that will help you, and handwrite any notes. Keep your contact as personal as possible. LISTEN (if calling or visiting), and focus on their needs. These are small ways you can affirm your guest is wanted, special and significant (not just another number to call or letter to mail).

Note: If team members or volunteers assisted in visitor follow-up, check in on these activities 2 weeks after the Event, and again one month later.

Adapted from the Outreach Event Planning Guide, pg. 90.

Featuring:

Nick Arnette

What did the Yogi say when he walked into the Zen Pizza Parlor? "Make me one with everything."

When the Yogi got the pizza, he gave the proprietor a $20 bill. The proprietor pocketed the bill. The Yogi said "Don't I get change?"

The proprietor said, "Change must come from within."