enewsletter

January 2006

News & Updates - Team & Performer News: Kerri Pomarolli's new book; National Outreach Convention

Real Stories - Case Study: Valentines Event at Christ's Church of the Valley

Performer Profile - Featuring Joe Recca

Special Promotions - FREE Event Tickets

Effective Resources - Annual Outreach Planning Guide

Joke of the Month - Featuring Joe Recca

Just released nationally... Kerri Pomarolli's new book If I'm Waiting on God, then What am I Doing in a Christian Chatroom?

Kerri says, "This book was a leap of faith because it basically started as my diary and developed over 5 years from there. I thought I was the only single out there that was struggling to find a mate that didn't think"Boundaries" was a sports term. I have seen now I was not alone and singles need to laugh too! I took some risks in being totally vulnerable and I can now God was guiding this project the whole time."

Discouraged with dating books written by authors who married just after puberty and then tried to give relationship advice—“I didn’t meet my husband until I was seventeen, and I’m so glad I waited”—Kerri decided to write her book as a single woman in the trenches trying to meet Mr. Right.

Stand-up comedian Kerri Pomarolli shares her side of the Christian dating scene and brings a fresh new light to dating, faith, and being single. In this tell-it-how-it-is book, Kerri offers a glimpse into the mind and heart of a single woman as she shares her personal stories of joy, frustration, pain, and late-night snacks. "If I’m Waiting on God, Then What Am I Doing in a Christian Chatroom?" is the humorous and moving story of one woman’s search for real faith and true love.

Kerri Pomarolli is a comedian, actress, and writer. She has appeared on the Tonight Show and the ComedyCentral channel, among many others. She currently lives in Southern California.

“This book is hilarious. It’s perfect for the God-fearing gal who’s looking for love in all the wrong places I found myself uplifted, knowing I wasn’t alone.” — Christia Mantzke, recording artist

“Finally! We men get a glimpse of what is really going on in the middle of Christian single women! I couldn’t put it down!” — Jay Pesek, Nashville Speakers Bureau

Early Bird registration is now available for the 2006 National Outreach Convention...

Case Study: Valentines Event

Event Basics:

Customer Interviewed: Terri Stone
Organization Name: Christ’s Church of the Valley
Event Name: CCV Productions Comedy Night
Event Type: Valentines Event
Event Dates & Time: 2/12/2005, 7:00pm
Event Location: The Collegeville Inn
Location Profile: Event facility (ballroom)
Attendee Type: Community and church congregation
Price per Attendee: $35
Total Attendees: 250

Behind the Scenes Efforts:

Publicity Tools Used: Website, Signs, Banners, Posters, Newspapers
Tickets: N/A
Team Efforts Included: Organization of meal, door prizes, emcee and event registration

About the Event:

Event Purpose: To host an adult event that was totally unrelated to “normal” church activities that would be fun, interesting and affordable to the general public
Event Content Included: The event included a plated dinner and a cash bar. The night was hosted by a comedian who emceed the entire event. He welcomed everyone to kick of the night, made announcements, gave out door prizes and did his act before Phil Di Tommaso did his act.
Decorations: Table centerpieces and candles
Capturing Visitor Information: Registration information and payment was taken through our website.

About the Comedy Performance:

Performer: Phil Di Tommaso
Type: Comedian
Response to Performer: Our crowd absolutely loved him – he was hysterical. His NY accent and his jokes were completely relevant to our crowd since we’re in the Philadelphia area.

Results

Total Visitors: 50
Overall Response to the Entire Event: The response was overwhelmingly positive! This event gave our congregation a tool to invite their “non-churchgoing” friends to something totally out of the ordinary for a church. The response from the community was one of surprise as most could not believe it was a church sponsored event.
New Attendees Retained: Not sure

Additional Comments

Biggest Concerns Heading into the Event: That the comedian wouldn’t be as good as we had hoped. The community and congregation response would be minimal.
How These Concerns Were Addressed & Resolved: We were completely okay with the event being filled with mostly members of our congregation as it was the first event of this type we’d ever hosted. We felt we needed to build credibility with our own people so they could invite their friends to future events of this type.
How This Compares with Past Events: We can’t compare as this is the first event like this we’d ever hosted.
Would You Do This Event Again? Absolutely! We’ll probably plan to do another in the fall of 2006.
What Would You Do Differently Next Time? I would market differently to both the public and our congregation and I’d market sooner!
What Would You Say to People Planning a Similar Event? Outreach Comedy was phenomenal to work with and so was the comedian. Every aspect of planning was handled in a very professional and timely manner. I would strongly urge those doing the planning to start 6 months in advance if they have the time! There are a lot of details to coordinate and a good timeline is a must. Also, I’d carefully plan my budget so as to not have to take a loss on the event.

Meet Comedian Joe Recca...

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

A: I was born in Chicago, IL and raised in Virginia Beach, VA. Virginia Beach was quiet – there was no downtown, it was a summer resort town.

Q: When and how did you become interested in being a stand-up comedian?

A: I always wanted to be an actor and when I was in college I saw Dick Gregory and I became interested in comedy. Later I moved to Washington D.C. and started doing comedy at The Comedy Café in 1987.

Q: When did you become a Christian?

A: I grew up in a Christian household and got strong in my faith in 1997.

Q: What is your favorite thing about being a comedian?

A: I enjoy using my creativity to make people laugh sharing my thoughts and views to uplift and entertain.

Q: What are some of your current struggles and triumphs?

A: Writing new material with a message, being a positive influence on my daughter, and winning BET’s Coming to the Stage.

Q: How do you see the Lord moving through your comedy?

A: I ask God to bless me with the creativity to touch people and minister with my comedy.

Q: Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?

A: Traveling more, performing more and I would love to be on a Christian comedy variety show on television.

Q: What is your favorite Bible verse and why?

A: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” This verse gives me the strength and conviction to do the things I need to do.

Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

A: Working out, bowling, tennis, movies and taking my daughter to Chuck E Cheese.

Q: What’s your all time favorite gig?

A: Headlining Catch the Spirit of Laughter comedy show.

My grandmother is in a nursing home in Chesapeake, VA. It’s $4,000 a month for her to stay there and I can’t afford to keep her there so I was trying to think of a place where she could be cared for that wasn’t so expensive. I remembered my grandmother ran a house cleaning business for 25 years and she never paid taxes on the money she earned. So I called the IRS and reported her for income tax evasion. Then I called her up and said, “Grandma, I found another place where you’re going to be staying now. At the new place you’re going to have to where a jumpsuit – I think it says detention center on the back of it, but stop crying you’re going to get three meals at the new place.”

Q: Anything else you would like to share?

A: Passionately pursue your passion with faith in Christ and hurdles in life can be overcome.