Lutheran Hour Ministries Test-Markets Peoria, Illinois
Media blitz kicks off action-packed summer of activities
St. Louis, Mo., April 16, 2003 —Resolving conflict or dealing with stress - both are relevant topics in today's hectic world. But which topic has the broadest appeal? Peoria, Ill., may just have the answer.
In late April and May, the Lutheran Hour Ministries' (LHM) "Living for Tomorrow" congregational outreach program will test television ads aimed at connecting people in spiritual need with Peoria Lutheran churches. More than 130 "Now You're Talking" and "Stress" advertising spots will air from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on local ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX affiliates April 28-May 2 and again May 19-23. The media blitz will kick off a summer of Lutheran Hour Ministries' activities in Peoria planned around a mid-July international outreach expo and convention that is set to attract 4,000 people to the Peoria Civic Center.
"Whether it's kids, housework, finances or a difficult job - juggling the stresses of everyday life often can be overwhelming," says LHM Media Outreach Manager Molly Taylor. "In the last two years our "Now You're Talking" conflict resolution campaigns have proved extremely successful. Increasing outreach opportunities is an ongoing LHM effort. The Peoria campaigns will help us better assist congregations by determining the mot effective program topics."
The LHM "Stress" and "Now You're Talking" ads are 30-second television spots that simulate real-life situations. Viewers are offered a toll-free telephone number to call for a free topic-based booklet presenting effective Christian coping strategies. Ad respondents also can speak directly with a representative in the LHM Response Center.
The "Living for Tomorrow" (LFT) 'stress' campaign is one of many LHM activities planned in Peoria. The July 17-20 LHM Outreach Expo and Convention has been designed to inspire, enlighten and entertain Christians of all ages. It will include Christian comedy, Christian music, motivational speakers, train and equip outreach workshops, enriching family seminars, Christian celebration, worship and study opportunities, as well as faith-based community service events. Christian comedian Ken Davis, the rock band, Echelon, family parenting expert Dr. Kevin Leman and nutritionist David L. Meinz - all are scheduled for a weekend of quality Christian entertainment and presentation. Leman and Meinz will anchor LHM's first-ever "Celebrate the Healthy Christian Family" seminar. In addition, religious workshops are planned to add biblical perspective to world conflicts and to help Christians hone individual evangelism skills.
The Peoria "Living for Tomorrow" media campaigns reinforce the LHM mission to share the Gospel worldwide. The program assists the church in outreach and evangelism through contact and connection, and has touched more than 170,000 lives since it was established in 1992.
Lutheran Hour Ministries is the media outreach ministry
of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League, an auxiliary of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and Lutheran
Church—Canada. The ministry airs TV, radio and Internet programming
in 44 countries and has ministry centers in 41 countries. It is based in St. Louis,
MO. Its flagship radio program in North America is “The
Lutheran Hour,” the world’s oldest continually broadcast Gospel
radio program, airing since 1930.
For more information, please contact:
Kathy Bernard
(800) 944-3450, ext. 4152
