MARCUS
BOX
"We
gave 120 local children a Marcus each last May. In November we invited them to a party -
and 55 came, together with their Mums." St Columba's, Corby.
The
MARCUS Box has been developed as the key to an outreach/mission program to build on the
proven success of Storykeepers being attractive to unchurched children. So - Come
with Marcus - on an introduction to Jesus
'WHAT is it?
MARCUS consists of:
a 60
minute DVD containing Storykeepers episodes 1 & 2;
- a
gospel of St Mark (modern version to suit local needs - in the UK the NIV; in the USA -
NAB or NIrV)
- a
boardgame - a snakes (chutes) & ladders style game around the streets of Rome using
the sticker characters supplied. Christians get two free throws before the Roman Centurion
sets off in pursuit. If he catches you, you're 'thrown to the lions!'
- 3
sets of stickers - a sheet of characters, a sheet of background items for personal
decorative use, and a sheet of elements to 'spice up' the boardgame.
WHO is it
for?
MARCUS is designed to introduce the gospel stories to children aged 5 thru 11 years of
age, and to form the start point for reaching out to their whole families.
It
also makes a great First Communion gift.
PROJECT
organisation and COST
MARCUS
is designed for outreach campaigns in specific locations, to involve as wide a grouping of
churches as practical, and to create an impact on the local community (including
harnessing press and radio coverage if possible).
MARCUS is therefore supplied at cost (£4 per box for 25 or more DVDs in UK, $6 for 30+
DVDs in USA incl shipping). Such low costs are possible because of bulk purchasing.
MARCUS in
Action
The
initial MARCUS trial was in the 3 cities across the UK in May 2001, and thereafter has run
annually. St Columba's church in Corby gave out 120 Marcus boxes in May 2002. 55 children
(with parents) came the follow up party in November. A stunning 46% response. see also
Testimonies above.
MARCUS
across the World
Over 57,000 Marcus boxes have been
given away since 2001. MARCUS was introduced to churches in Texas in
English in May/June 2003.
The
English/Spanish DVD version launched in September 2005 across the US using the
New American Bible gospel, price $6.
Canada
- Marcus boxes are being delivered to churches in Montreal November 2006,
price C$8.
Across
Ireland in October 2002 over 2000 Marcus boxes were distributed.
Marcus
also has scope to be effective in Brazil, Russia, Canada and other countries throughout
the world wherever Storykeepers videos are available in the local language. Print
materials are printed to order each time.
THE
PROGRAM
MARCUS
is given by your church to unchurched children. The children take Marcus home
where they enjoy the 2 episodes. This becomes clear to parents too.
PARTIES.
The church then invites the child to a party at the church/hall, and to bring the whole
family too. Our handbook The Story Lives On (see web resources) was written specifically
for family party & bible study. It recognises that helpers may be few! Many churches
have as few as 3 parties each year. see also the Columba
Scheme
PRAYER
POTS. We suggest you give each child a present to take home at your party. The
prayer pot encourages the wholefamily to pray at home.see www.brf.org.uk/barnabas/main.asp under
"ideas, prayer".
Follow
up worship. The stage is now set for you to invite the whole family to a worship
service suitable for their tentative state.
To discover more about MARCUS and how it might work for your own outreach, please contact
Ross Coad ross@coadmedia.com by email
or telephone (+44 1460 242405)
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