The GREAT DATE NIGHT A fun and encouraging evening of music and laughter!!
The Great Date Night is a fun and effective marriage-building event. Transform your fellowship hall into a casual cafe, prepare some tasty homemade desserts and give your couples an enjoyable night out that allows them to reconnect with each other and think about the things in life that really matter.
Mark has performed in this setting for over 15 years. His insightful, everyday-life songs along with his off the wall sense of humor make him an instant hit.
Typically the evening will consist of a 50 minute set of music and comedy, a relaxed 30 minute break when folks can grab some dessert and interact,
followed by another 30 minute set. Your couples will get to laugh, unwind and be encouraged to make and keep their relationship a top priority - truly a "great date"!!
CHOICE OF DIRECTION: ENCOURAGEMENT or OUTREACH
Churches have used the Great Date Night for either of the following intentional purposes (though often, both occur!):
“Encouragement: A Night for Strengthening Marriages" This event is centered around strengthening the marriages within your church. Your couples are provided a "night out" with their sweetheart, a fun time of fellowship with friends and plenty of encouragement and inspiration to keep their marriage a top priority and Christ's love as their example.
"Outreach: A Night of Cultivation and Planting" Couples are encouraged to invite another couple as their guests. The evening is filled with lots of songs and stories that are humorous and talk about family. Mark will "plant some seeds " along the way by sharing casually what God has been doing in his life. A fun/positive experience is one of the main goals. What this event does is help your guests to see that perhaps God is still doing things in people's lives today and prepares them to come back to another event at the church because they now feel more positive towards your church.
HOW IT WORKS:
PROMOTE - Mark will supply full color posters, bulletin inserts, photos, and a promo video to help you get the word out. |
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ANNOUNCE - Make tickets available the 3-4 Sundays leading up to the date. (Suggested ticket price: $20-$25 per couple) |
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PREPARE - Line up desserts for the break. Three suggestions: 1) Have each couple bring a dessert item to share. 2) Have your Hospitality Committee (or those in your church who love to bake) organize and prepare. 3) Order ahead of time and purchase from a local bakery. |
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TRANSFORM - Turn your fellowship hall into a casual cafe. Be creative! Tables with tablecloths, candles, pretzels, popcorn, etc. |
SERVE - Have various beverages available as folks arrive: coffee, teas, hot cider, sodas, punch, etc. |
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WELCOME - Have your emcee welcome everyone and give them a “5 minute warning”, encouraging them to get something to drink and start finding a seat. |
ENJOY - Mark will do his first set of music and comedy (50 minutes), which includes songs and stories that deal with marriage, family, parenting, etc. |
INTERACT - There is an intentional 30 minute break for people to go through a dessert buffet line and to have the chance to interact with their spouse and friends around their tables. |
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REFLECT - Mark will do another 30 minute set to close out the evening, challenging and encouraging the couples to think about the things in life that matter most! |
Approximate length – 2 hours
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WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING:
Dear Mark,
Let me express my sincere appreciation to your for a job well done at the Great Date Night.
Your music and your humor connected with so many of our people. About a third
of our audience was guests from outside the church. They really appreciated your
joyful spirit and kind heart that shows through in all your say and sing!
Thanks for blessing us with your servants heart. We look forward to working with you again in the future.
Rev. Joseph Burchill
Pastor For Adult Ministries
Lancaster Alliance Church
Lancaster, PA - January 21, 2011
Dear Mark,
Thank you for such a great night - it truly lived up to the name "Great Date
Night". When we first thought of the idea, we were hoping for 50-60 people
to participate. We had almost 200 and each person I talked to that night had the same things to say:
"what a wonderful night", "couldn't have been better", "everyone had a great time". The music,
the stories, and your onstage presence was both entertaining and challenging. The promotional
material you provided made advertising the event so easy. Thanks again such a
great night.
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Stan Lauterback
Executive Director
Calvary Bible Fellowship Church
Sinking Spring, PA - January 15, 2011
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Dear Mark,
I wanted to thank-you for providing such a wonderful evening for the couples in our church,
we have received so much positive feedback. Your professionalism combined with your sense of humor,
musical ability and relatable personal stories about marriage and family life made for not only an entertaining
evening but a thought provoking one as well. The thoughtful way in which you plan "The Great Date Night" made it a stress-free event.
Even those who helped with the set-up, clean-up and refreshments were able to enjoy themselves.
We look forward to having you come back again and will highly recommend you to other churches.
Chris McCloskey
Sr. Pastor
Grace Point Church
Newtown, PA - November 19, 2011
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Dear Mark,
I wanted to let you know that all of the feedback I have received on
the "Great Date Night" has been overwhelmingly positive. People really enjoyed themselves!
I thought it was one of the best events I've ever attended at a church.
You did a great job of mixing in humor, thoughtfulness, Scripture, etc.
I really appreciated your ministry.
David Hilty
Associate Pastor
Northgate Church
Pittsburgh, PA - February 25, 2011
Dear Mark,
Dear Mark,
Thank you so much for your wonderful ministry to the couples of our church and community as part of our Great Date Night! The humor and music blend was great and made it a very enjoyable and uplifting night for everyone! A lot of couples continue to be touched by your words and songs.
Hi Mark,
Thank you for being a part or our “Nite 2gether” Great Date Night. I’ve gotten nothing but
positive comments from our people. It was a great evening! I just wanted to express my appreciation
for the very enjoyable and inspirational evening you lead our people in. Keep sharing your songs and stories!
Burdette Lahr Mark,
What a fabulous Great Date Night event! Our couples had no
idea what to expect and walked out of there with a smile on their face, a little pep in their step,
and a little tug at their hearts – PERFECT! Exactly what we were hoping for!
You were so fun – so honest – so relatable…and talented, too!
Would love to have you back for sure! Dear Mark, Thanks so much for the Great Date Night
at our church last night. You were so awesome! You have no idea how much your stories, songs and humor
totally capped off our whole weekend of celebrating marriage and family. Thanks for being part of our lives for one night.
And you play so well, too! Dear Mark, Your music and personality were perfect for our
first Great Date Night at Meadow Park Church! Your excellent musicianship and humor were much appreciated by all the couples who came for this
special night. Thanks for being a part of this unique event. We look forward to having you back with us again in the near future. Dear Mark,
Mark,
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Thank you for making The Great Date Night such a wonderful experience at First Baptist Church, Woodbridge.
Your songs were excellent and your stories were humorous and uplifting.
I have had a number of people say how much they enjoyed the night and are enjoying your music on your CDs.
And yes, we all did wear your t-shirts on Sunday!
I enjoyed our time together and wish you and your family all the best.
Jeff Lindquist
Minister of Worship/Arts
FBC Woodbridge, VA - September 17, 2011
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Jeff Franks
Community Involvement Pastor
North Industry Christian Church
Canton, Ohio - January 22, 2011
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Pastor of Marriage and Family Life
Stillmeadow Church or the Nazarene
York, PA - February 11, 2011
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Beth Shaha
Director of Couples Ministry
Leesburg Community Church
Leesburg, VA - May 8, 2010
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Worship Arts Pastor
Tri-County Church
Dubois, PA - May 23, 2010
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Senior Pastor
Indian Head Baptist Church
Indian Head, MD - March 20, 2010
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David Smitley
Associate Pastor
Second Cape May Baptist Church
Marmora, NJ - April 24, 2010
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Mark,
Missions, Outreach & Evangelism
Christ Wesleyan Church
Milton, PA - May 19, 2007
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If you have any further questions in regard to this type of event or if
you are interested in setting one up at your church, feel free to contact Mark
at 717-792-4654 or via email.