Direct Mailer: Something Different

In Fall 2006, CCV opened a new venue for weekend worshippers. "Something Different", the tagline for the new alternative service, was coined because it provided a different, edgier environment that caused people to rethink the typical ways of worship. This direct mailer was mailed out to over 10,000 homes in the Peoria area. All of the basic information about the new service was published on the backside of the postcard. Here is the text I created for this direct mailer:

Alternative Service

It isn't better, it's just different.

-The alternative service has a unique atmosphere that will enable you to have a personal, spiritual experience with our Creator.

-This edgy service will cause you to rethink the typical ways of worship.

- Two identical services will be provided every weekend in Building 700 (southwest corner of CCV) starting September 9 & 10.

- Saturday at 4:30 pm and Sunday at 11:15 am.

-A shuttle service will be available between the Children's Building and Building 700.

Brochure: CCV STARS

CCV STARS is a local, youth sports league attracting thousands of children and teenagers every year to play sports like football, soccer and cheer. This brochure was given to all returning and prospective players.

Magazine: Corporate Logo

A couple years after graduating from college, I landed the position of Associate Editor for the trade magazine Corporate Logo, Business Solutions for Today's Promotional Products Distributor. I was responsible for writing many of the articles found throughout the magazine as well as product highlights and company reviews.

Brochure: What's Happening at CCV

I was asked to create text for a brochure to inform newcomers of upcoming events happening at CCV. This brochure was handed out at all six Christmas services in 2007 and reached approximately 20,000 adults. The three areas this brochure focused on was upcoming special guest speakers and conferences with a focus on neighborhood involvement.

Short Story: "Count on Me" Challenge

Christ's Church of the Valley (CCV) likes to run short, 250-word stories in each weekend's bulletin to tie in with the sermon or events happening within the church. I was asked to write a short story to remind and encourage people to finish strong with the "Count on Me" challenge presented by the senior pastor. The approximate bulletin count is 6,000 every weekend.

"Count on Me" Challenge Update
You can count on people like Kyle Leonardi. Kyle, age 24, took part of the “Count on Me” challenge presented by pastor Don Wilson back in October. The challenge was to pray for five people, build significant relationships with each individual, and invite them all to church by January 1. So where does Kyle stand with this challenge?

So far, Kyle has been successful at befriending coworkers. Even though Kyle is outgoing, lively and humorous, he is also sensitive to people and their situations. Kyle said he would overhear stories about what was going on in certain people’s lives and he knew right away they needed Jesus. So what did he do? He began praying for them daily, which in turn opened doors to build lifelong friendships. From there, he was easily able to offer a simple invitation to join him at church. Although he hasn’t been taken up on all of the offers, he has made a major impact in several people’s lives.

“The hardest aspect of the whole challenge was staying fervent with my prayers and consistently inviting them to church when I could see they were unresponsive. In a nutshell, it was hard to get myself out of the way and step aside to pray. I kept on inviting them and let the Lord work. I wanted to make it happen, but I couldn’t change their heart,” Kyle explained.

If you committed to the Count on Me challenge, finish strong. Kyle’s story reminds us that we are all called to pray, love and invite others to church. If we can get out of God’s way, he will work out all the details.

Short Story: Outward Expression, Inward Decision

Christ's Church of the Valley (CCV) likes to run short, 250-word stories in each weekend's bulletin to tie in with the sermon or events happening within the church. Here is the short story I wrote about the increase in baptisms in 2008. The approximate bulletin count is 6,000 every weekend.

Outward Expression, Inward Decision
Baptism isn’t something to be taken lightly. In fact, it’s a very serious decision that requires commitment and courage…commitment to live for Jesus Christ and the courage to make that decision known.

David and Nicki Balzarini, residents of Vistancia, recently completed the membership process at CCV and were baptized. David and Nicki were both baptized as young children and have struggled for years whether or not to be baptized again as adults. That decision finally came with some encouragement from their small group. Nicki recalls sitting in Class 100 when pastor Don Wilson stated there were no verses in the Bible to back up infant baptism. And although Nicki and David’s family members may not agree with their decision to “renew their vows” to Christ, they did it anyway. The Balzarinis said they want to follow the Bible and its commands, so getting baptized was the next step in their growth process. “I wanted to take a stand for Christ and express the internal changes that have taken place,” David stated.

Baptisms at CCV have increased over 33% in 2008 from the previous year. This year alone, over one thousand people have taken the same stand the Balzarinis did just a few weeks ago. If you are ready to take the next step in your faith journey, let your decision be known and get baptized.

Press Release: Children Set to Donate Shoes

CHILDREN AT LOCAL CHURCH SET TO DONATE THOUSANDS OF SHOES JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS

This coming weekend, December 6-7, the children at Christ's Church of the Valley (CCV) will have the opportunity to donate new and slightly used footwear for the less fortunate. Many of the adults who attended CCV on the weekend of November 22-23 showed a simple act of generosity by taking the shoes off their feet and donating their footwear at the request of the pastor. Over 8,000 pairs were collected in one weekend alone. Now the children will have the same opportunity to follow in their parents footprints…quite literally.

The children’s ministry staff at CCV wants to challenge the young children and youth, preschool age through high school, to ask themselves: “What can I give to others to show a simple act of generosity?” Scott Harris, who oversees the children’s ministry, believes that allowing kids to give the shoes off of their feet will create a memory that will last a lifetime. “With encouragement from their parents, we are looking forward to seeing families share in this experience of giving to others in need,” he said.

Parents were forewarned this past weekend that the children will have the same opportunity that they had a couple of weeks ago. All shoes collected will be donated primarily to local homeless shelters in the Phoenix area. Thousands of shoes will also be shipped to orphanages and needy families in Mexico, South America and Africa.

For those who are unable to attend a church service this coming weekend and would still like to donate children’s shoes, please contact the church office no later than Friday, December 12. Harris mentioned, “The community is certainly welcome to come and join us to give in a way that will impact thousands of lives around our city, state and ultimately the world.”

CCV is located at 7007 W Happy Valley Rd in Peoria, AZ. Contact us if you have any questions at 623.376.2444 or www.ccvonline.com. Regular weekend worship times are 4:30 and 6:15 pm every Saturday and 9:30 and 11:15 am every Sunday.