May 2006

News & Updates - Team & Performer News: Outreach Events Welcomes New Performers: Donna East, Juan De Lascurain Jim Garlow and Gerard Henry; Specialty Acts and Music sites are now live; 2006 National Outreach Convention Super Early Bird Registration Ends May 31!

Featured Event Idea - Funny Fundraiser

Real Stories - Case Study: Comedy Night at Long Island University's B.A.S.I.C. group.

Performer Profile - Featuring Illusionist Lou Leventhal

Special Promotions - FREE Image Banner

Effective Resources - Da Vinci Code Outreach Resources and Speakers

Joke of the Month - Featuring Nick Arnette

Welcome New Outreach Performers...

Donna East - Stand-up and sketch comedian

Juan De Lascurain - Speaker and founder of Vida Youth ministry, radio and T.V. program.

Gerard Henry - Motivational speaker on topics such as abstinence, prayer, and humility.

Jim Garlow - Speaker on topics related to the Da Vinci Code and church history

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Outreach Specialty Acts and Music sites are now available...

Visit the Specialty Acts site to view an array of unique performers that are available to perform at your church.

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HURRY...Super Early Bird registration is almost over for the 2006 National Outreach Convention...

Register by May 31st and save up to $80 per person!

Funny Fundraiser

The summer months are typically slow as far as church attendance and tithing go. Why not create a fun way for your congregation to enjoy the summer as well as a gentle reminder to continue to support the church during the slow months. here is one easy fundraiser idea that can liven up the summer and help raise funds:

(1) Get Them
Make sure you invite people aware that you’re hosting a fundraiser. Attract people who want to (and are able to) financially support your great cause. Promote your Event and pack the room!!

(2) Greet Them
Have someone personally welcome each of your guests.

(3) Feed Them
Connect your Event to a meal or a dessert to put people in a positive frame of mind and giving mood. To create a relational atmosphere, seat people in rounds of tables instead of in Theater-style seating.

Note: You can often get sponsors to provide or pay for meals or desserts.

(4) Lead Them
Give your guests a written program telling them about your worthy organization, the special entertainment, and sponsor “thank-yous.” Have your emcee welcome and brief your guests.

Here’s a suggested Event Schedule:
• 6:30 pm: Open doors
• 7:00 pm: Serve dinner
• 8:00 pm: Start the fun after dessert is served
• End with a live auction and/or the appeal for funds. Ask the person best able to share your organization’s vision and purpose give the appeal.
• 9:30 pm: End no later than this. REMEMBER: Leave your guests wanting more, not wanting to leave!

(5) Meet Them
It is very important to have your people connect with your guests. “People give to people. Friends become donors.” Make it very clear to your guests how they can help your cause. Show them how easy it is to make a real difference through their financial support.

(6) Thank Them
Thank your special guests for attending and giving.

Key: Capture the names and contact information of all of your guests (Raffle or drawing cards can be effective for this). After the Event, follow up with thank you notes and further invitations to support your wonderful work.

Event Basics

Organization Name: B.A.S.I.C. (Brothers and Sisters IN Christ)

Event Name: Comedy Night

Event Dates & Time: March 21, 2006 at 7pm

Event Location: Long Island University CW Post Campus – Brookville, NY – Lecture Hall

Attendee Type: College Students- Christian and Non-Christian

Price per Attendee: No Charge

Total Attendees: 20

Behind the Scenes Efforts:

Publicity Tools Used: Flyers

Tickets: N/A

Team Efforts Included: ACP (Association for Campus Programming) – Budget help, transportation of Joe Recca, made flyers and planning. Anointed Voices Gospel Choir- Budget help, BASIC– budget help, flyers and organization.

About the Event

Event Purpose: Comedy Night was part of BASIC and Anointed Voices annual Gospel Week – During this week we had a movie night, talent night, “Who is Jesus” discussion among other events.

Event Content Included: Introduction of Joe Recca and Comedian for one hour and 30 minutes.

Decorations: None

About the Comedy Performance

Performer: Joe Recca

Type: Comedian

Response to Performer: Audience loved him laughter all night long

Results

Total Visitors: 20

Overall Response to the Entire Event: Excellent way to reach out to CW Post campus, a more diverse group of people came out to the Comedy Night than any other Christian event on Campus.The message was received through this creative venue.

New Attendees Retained: None so far.

Additional Comments

Biggest Concerns Heading into the Event: Reconfiguring the contract to meet University’s requirements, transportation of Comedian from hotel to school. We were also concerned about enough advertisement and receptiveness of the University to a Christian Comedian.
 

How These Concerns Were Addressed & Resolved: We had Susan Adams speak directly to our leader of Student Life and we had to make several phone calls to arrange a taxi service for transportation. Everything worked out fine.

How This Compares with Past Events:  This event had a pretty good turn out and a more diverse population than previous events

Would You Do This Event Again? Definitely hopefully for the fall semester.

What Would You Do Differently Next Time? We would advertise more and book the comedian earlier. Advertise in more creative ways .

What Would You Say to People Planning a Similar Event? I would say to book the comedian as earlier as possible so you can work out all the kinks and advertise, advertise, advertise as early as possible, in more than one way.

Meet Illusionist Lou Leventhal...

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

I was born in Pennsylvania, but my family moved to Annapolis, Maryland when I was only 5.  I did my bachelor’s degree at Arkansas State University (where I met my wife), and completed my Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas.  We have lived in Canada for 13 years. I have enjoyed every place that I have ever lived because I always focus more on the people than the place.

2) What is your Specialty Act and how is it unique as opposed to other types

of performers?

Our specialty is performing a world-class illusion program as a way to build

bridges with non-believers for sharing a clear Gospel presentation.  Our program is fun and professional because I also perform in corporate settings, without a Gospel presentation.  We have designed our program in a way that people will be excited that they brought their friends, families or co-workers to an exciting evening of entertainment, with a life-changing message.

Many people who would never come to hear a speaker or concert have heard the

Gospel and come to Jesus through our program.  Because I grew up in an

Orthodox Jewish family, I know what it’s like to feel like an “alien” in a church

setting.

I am humbled that God has given me the ability to relate Biblical truths to unbelievers in ways that they can grasp.

3) When and how did you become interested in being a Performer?

I started performing magic tricks as a little kid after my grandfather would do tricks for me, like pulling quarters out of my nose.  I thought I had it figured out — until I had to have 2 dimes and a nickel taken out of my left nostril!

I had always wanted to be a doctor, never a professional performer.  After becoming a Christian, I was asked to perform and share my testimony at a banquet to raise funds for summer missions.  God has opened thousands of doors since that talent show more than 29 years ago!

4) When did you become a Christian?

I became a Christian at the age of 18, 3 days before I started college, through the witness of a high school friend.  It was a 3 month process for me, because Jewish people don’t accept Jesus!

As I began going to a more informal service with my friend, I eventually heard a clear Gospel presentation.  It was as if a light went on for me.  I asked Jesus into my life and He changed me immediately.  My life has never been the same since and I am thankful to submit everything to Him as my Lord.

5) What is your favorite thing about being a performer?

My favorite thing about performing is meeting people, both followers of Jesus and those who will become followers of Jesus.  I enjoy each program because every audience is new. 

I am an off the scale extrovert and have relationships close and distant. There are many non-believers that I have developed an ongoing relationship through the internet after they have seen our show or have stumbled across a web site.

Although I have performed for different television programs, live audiences are without a doubt my favorite!

6) What are some of your current struggles and triumphs?

My greatest struggle is time constraints and not being able to do everything that I would like to do.  There are vital things in my life that are non-negotiable's:

•   Time with the Lord in His Word and prayer
•   Quality time with my wife
•   Quality time with our 3 kids
•   Ministry involvement in our local church and with neighbors and non-believers.

I wish that I had more time to spend with my friends and to be more involved

in physical activities.

My greatest triumph is that each one of my children has an intimate walk with

Jesus.  They are wonderful at living out their faiths and sharing with their friends. The other one I would list is my 22 year marriage to my beautiful wife Martha.  She is my best friend and partner in ministry.

7) How do you see the Lord moving through your specialty act?

The Lord has gifted me as a communicator.  The illusion program is only a tool to be able to share the Gospel with people who would not normally listen to someone talk about Jesus.  I see the Lord move when I get to meet people who came to Jesus through our program or who made some other significant commitment to the Lord.

8) Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?

I don’t have a clue!  We always want to be open to God’s agenda, not our own. I never thought that He would call us to pastor in Canada, but we have been here for almost 13 years!  Two years ago I was asked to pray about coming to serve as a vice-president at a seminary outside of Calgary, Alberta.  That certainly wasn’t in our plans either.  We seek the Lord together as a family and want to stay true to what ever He calls us to do or wherever He calls us to go.

9) What is your favorite Bible verse and why?

Actually, I have quite a few!  It would be hard to pick one or two. 

For years, a big part of my spiritual discipline was Scripture memory.  I’ve gotten a little lax in memorizing verses these past few years, but I read His Word daily in the mornings.

I love Psalm 37:23-24 and Proverbs 15:8, because they talk about God’s love for us and desire for intimacy.

I am grateful for Phil. 1:6 because it reminds me that I am God’s project and

He is the One helping me become more like Jesus.

I love Isaiah 55:8-11 and Hebrews 4:12 because they talk of the power of God’s Word.

John 15:5 reminds me that apart from Jesus, I can do NOTHING!

10) What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Hanging out with my wife, kids and friends.

11) What’s your all time favorite gig?

We have performed several times for the Texas Youth Evangelism Conferences at Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas.  Those were really big crowds (23,000+).

Also, the first time my son, Joshua, helped perform onstage.

12) Anything else you would like to share?

We are so thankful for the churches and ministries that have invited us to partner with them in reaching their communities and cities for Jesus Christ. The prayers, financial investments, time, energy and invitations involved in hosting a fruitful outreach are big commitments.  We are humbled that God allows us to be a small part of bringing others into a relationship with Him.

For more information or to book Lou Leventhal Click Here

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Featured Resource

The Da Vinci Code movie is out this month and is a hot topic in the media, in the church and most likely in your community. Be prepared to respond by providing your congregation with one of the many Da Vinci COde resources and speaker Outreach has to offer. Click here for more Da Vinci Code Info.