Visitor’s center: magnets; pens; tumblers; CDs customized with a message from the pastor, a virtual tour and music from the worship team; church-logoed apparel for greeters and other attendants

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Ministry fair: imprinted balloons, candy, golf tees, pens, pencils, padfolios, prizes for a drawing

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Promoting new service location, time or worship style: instead of leaving the traditional door hanger at each house in the neighborhood, try using a gift bag filled with literature, a magnet with a schedule and picture of the church, a tumbler and a pen

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High school ministry: iPod cases, cell phone charms, playing cards, earbud holders, nail files, mirrors, desk toys such as a Slinky or stress ball

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Vacation Bible school: tie-in the product with a theme such as combining, “It’s a jungle out there” with binoculars, customized coloring books and a stuffed animal

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Women’s seminar: place a folder, scratch pad and pen in a nice reversible handbag that can be used as a purse

Choir ministry: use a Frisbee at the annual appreciation picnic as a plate holder – then in the Frisbee Frenzy contest to see who can throw theirs the farthest

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Pastor’s retreat: put a luggage tag, shirt and nice pen inside a computer bag

Whatever the event or purpose, don’t forget to always imprint your promotional product. You never know when God will remind someone to contact you through an often-used – or mysteriously resurfaced – promotional product.

The First Baptist Church of Jackson, Miss., recently did a Sunday series entitled “40 Days to Transformation.” If you consider the logo, there are several impressive things to note. First, they incorporated their logo and a theme together (connecting people, transforming lives). Second, they were able to form a series of messages around the theme and logo while incorporating promotional products. Each week, the congregation was given a promotional product to reinforce the message. Gifts given were: a pen, shoe mite, lapel pin with church logo, bracelet, football and CD holder. Each gift tied-in directly with the message. The purpose was for people to recall that specific sermon every time they saw the item.

Connected: to Christ

Heart: worship and attitude

Reaching: missions and evangelism

Involved: service

Stewardship: time, talent, money

Transformed: through spiritual disciplines

Jennifer Rebeich has been a promotional consultant with Geiger for 12 years. She’s available to help churches nationwide with their promotional needs; call 601.939.7460, Ext. 15 or e-mail at jrebeich@geiger.com. Since 1878, Geiger has been a proud innovator in promotional, recognition and brand marketing with award-winning results. It is one of the largest family-owned and managed promotional products companies worldwide.