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December 2005
News & Updates - Team & Performer News
Real Stories - Case Study: Outreach Night of Comedy
Performer Profile - Featuring Jeremy LaCorte
Special Promotions - Free Image Banner
Effective Resources - Event Tickets
Joke of the Month - Featuring Jeremy LaCorte
Welcome New Speakers...
Outreach Events would like to welcome two new speakers to our roster: Atlanta Hostage Hero, Ashley Smith and Actor/Speaker Kirk Cameron!
 You may have seen her name in the headlines - now come hear her story. Atlanta hostage hero, Ashley Smith by her own account, is far from an angel or a hero. Yet today, her face is known around the world as the single mother who persuaded Brian Nichols, Atlanta’s courtroom killer, to surrender to police. Nichols called Ashley “an angel sent from God, but, ironically, it was Ashley’s less-than-angelic past that allowed her to convince him to face justice. Ashley is now available to come speak at your next church event. Click here for more info...
 Kirk is best known as the loveable teen heartthrob Mike Seaver, of the award winning series Growing Pains. He is also known to every Christian as "Buck Williams" from Left Behind: The Movie - based on the NY Times runaway best selling novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. Since becoming a Christian, Kirk now speaks in churches, and at community events across the country. He is also the producer and host of The Way of the Master television program. To book Kirk for a speaking engagement at your church click here...
Case Study: Outreach Night of Comedy
Read how one church challenged members to reach out to their community with a Night of Comedy....
Event Basics
- Customer Interviewed: Pastor Chris Cook
- Organization Name: Parkade Baptist Church
- Event Name: Outreach Night of Comedy
- Event Type: Comedy
- Event Dates & Time: 11/5/05
- Event Location: Church
- Location Profile: residential area
- Attendee Type: Mixed Community
- Price per Attendee: free; the church underwrote the cost of the entire event
- Total Attendees: 450
Behind the Scenes Efforts:
- Publicity Tools Used: church bulletin and newsletter; door mail; posters; front yard banner (in front of church); door hangers
- Tickets: our members gave out complimentary tickets to their unchurched friends and neighbors; we also offered our police and fire department complimentary tickets. We packed the evening as a stress evening of comedy and then invited those with stressful jobs (police and firemen) to have a stress free evening on us.
- Team Efforts Included: The team that fascinated our event was responsible for planning the event; for promoting the event; for securing transportation, meals and housing for the comedian; and for securing child care and ushers for the actual event.
About the Event
- Event Purpose: To create a non-threatening environment for unchurched people to come into the church and hear the gospel in a non-traditional way.
- Event Content Included: Worship choruses; a performance by Ken Sands; a testimony by Ken Sands, an alter call, a love offering, and then a drawing for attendance prizes.
- Decorations: none
- Capturing Visitor Information: We asked each person to fill out a card. This allowed us to get names of those who were unchurched for future follow up. We also asked people to respond if they wanted more information on how to follow Jesus Christ or more information about our church. They then turned the card in and we did a drawing and gave out attendance prizes.
About the Comedy Performance
- Performer: Ken Sands
- Type: Comedian / Illusionist
- Response to Performer: Ken was well received by our people. He kept the audience’s attention and made them laugh. While we did not have any decisions the night of the performance, Ken gave his testimony and I believe that planted seeds of the gospel in many of our unchurched guests.
Results
- Total Visitors: about 200
- Overall Response to the Entire Event: Everyone—both churched and unchurched enjoyed the event. The house was packed.
- New Attendees Retained: none
Additional Comments
- Biggest Concerns Heading into the Event: Our biggest concern heading into the event was space. We had promoted so much that we feared our building might not hold all who showed up.
- How These Concerns Were Addressed & Resolved: We were right at capacity. We had members ready to give up their seats if the needed warranted it.
- How This Compares with Past Events: We have never had an event—outreach or otherwise—that packed the house like this one did.
- Would You Do This Event Again? Yes
- What Would You Do Differently Next Time? We would start planning earlier and communicate with the performer more before hand.
- What Would You Say to People Planning a Similar Event? Start early; communicate expectations to the performer; and promote heavily—especially in among the unchurched population (comedy seems to attract unchurched in a way that more traditional approaches will not).
Meet Comedian Jeremy LaCorte... 
Jeremy is a nationally touring comedian who looks to take his odd observations to new audiences across America. His jokes tackle every situation from his grandmother who steals, to owning a penguin because he can’t run away. Jeremy uses every type of comedy he can get his hands on blending physical, observational, and old school comedy one-liners with a new twist. But no matter what he does he is true to standup and comes armed only with the mic, the mic stand, and a stool. He emanates funny.
Q: Where are you from, and what was it like growing up there?
A: I was born and raised in Florida. Christmas is different in Florida because of all the old people here, it’s hard to tell which one is Santa Clause. The good thing is its summer all year round. I didn’t see snow until I was 17 years old though. But we get to park on the beach here so who needs Frosty.
Q: When and how did you become interested in being a stand-up comedian?
A: I loved watching comedy movies with my father and just always enjoyed making people laugh. Stand-up is also the purest most personal form of comedy. It’s not like acting where people don’t tell you how it is until it’s over. If you stink, you find out on the spot, no one gets to sugar coat it. I was also on Legends of the Hidden Temple in 7th grade and when the host asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said stand-up comic, I couldn’t lie to Nickelodeon. I’ve been at it almost three years and have progressed further than I imagined. Brian Regan is my favorite comic and the first comic I saw that had a hilarious act that doesn’t offend anyone. I wanted that as a comic.
Q: When did you become a Christian?
A: I accepted Christ at an early age and have always had my faith with me. However, I don’t believe I became a practicing Christian until I started college and stand-up. Going to church on Sunday became not enough when I realized God wants more. I recommitted and stared doing ALL clean comedy. This was hard, getting respect and understanding from your colleagues when they don’t understand or agree with your view points is difficult to deal with, especially when you’re a young comic in your beginning years. Unlike most horror stand-up stories, my first three years have been great because I knew that God would lead me to where he wants me to be.
Q: What is your favorite thing about being a comedian?
A: Being on stage is the best. Doing a new joke that the crowd loves, you just feel great. Not having to get up early for work is a plus too. Sometimes I wake up at 6 am and call my dad just to tell him that I don’t have to work until 7 pm that night. Performance nights are so exciting never really knowing what to expect from a crowd, not knowing what city I’m going to be in 6 months from now is really cool.
Q: What are some of your current struggles and triumphs?
A: My constant struggle is being able to make the transition from casual conversation to “let me tell you about Jesus”. I know that laughter is an excellent way to get peoples attention, then the problem is where to go after that. My recent triumph is I beat Super Mario Brothers 1 with just one life left starting on level 8-1, I dare you to find something more triumphant!
Q: How do you see the Lord moving through your comedy?
A: I actually see him floating, but that’s not what’s important. I feel him pushing me in the direction he wants more and more everyday through stuff like signing with Outreach or people after shows saying, “Hey I was sitting with 4 women and that other comic made me feel uncomfortable but your set was great. We had a great time”. I do mostly secular shows and I feel God puts me there because he needs me there, and when people give me responses such as this one, God makes his presence known.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
A: Shaving my head to hide my receding hair line. I plan on being a successful comic, success being measured by being able to support a family. I’m only 23 now so I’ll be 33 in ten years. I’ll hopefully be coaching my sons basketball game trying not to get kicked out for arguing a call.
Q: What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
A: I love Romans 12:2 which states: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will”. “Fitting in” is a problem that has run rampant in the world. Focusing on what God wants you to do might not fit in with the world’s ideal, but God doesn’t go by what the world thinks.
Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
A: I love to read, mostly children’s books because they don’t get lost in metaphor. My favorite book is The Cay by Theodore Taylor and I recently read Life of Pi by Yann Martel which was awesome. I’m trying to write my own book in my spare time. I play a little guitar and basketball (not at the same time) and I draw cartoons for my website (www.jeremylacorte.com, shameless plug) which I think are funny. I will also be graduating from the University of Central Florida this winter with my bachelor’s degree in Liberal studies.
Q: What’s your all time favorite gig?
A: One of my favorite comics, before he passed away, was Mitch Hedberg. I got to do a guest spot of about 10 minutes in front of him and hung out with him before the show were I told him about UCF and actually brought up religion. He signed my CD of his “Mitch All Together” after the show like this: To Jeremy GREAT SET Mitch Hedberg. I’m getting it framed as we speak.
Q: Anything else you would like to share?
A: Yes, Lost is the greatest show on television. I stand by that 100%. Oh, and I can’t stand when someone says anything over 100% because that’s impossible. Nothing can go over 100% because 100% means everything. Unless you’re humidity, then according to the Weather Channel there is no end.
Monthly Website Promotion
FREE 2' x 8' Image Banner when you book an event through Outreach Events!
Featured Tool
Outreach now has a new tool available to help you promote your event to your community.
This months joke comes from Jeremy LaCorte, our comedian featured above:
“I took two years of Spanish in High school and two years of Spanish in
college, which means I can play the card game UNO”.
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