Dear Contributor,
Nation-wide, evangelical Christian ministries are unused to taking full advantage of press releases because of disinterest, sometimes even hostility, encountered in the secular news services. Nevertheless, there are many occasions which warrant issuing a press release. By contrast, a press release upon the following occasions from any such ministry will be gratefully received by Evangelical News. This is a list of many appropriate reasons; I am sure you can think of many more which are unique to your ministry.
1. Your principal minister/leader announces his or her upcoming speaking schedule. An example headline would be: "Rev. Jones To Visit Ten Cities This Fall." The release then has a summary opening paragraph, a list of the cities, whom to contact for more information, and a short history of the ministry at the end. Do not include minute instructions suited those who have already decided to attend.
2. You wish to announce a change in direction, focus of ministry, extent of ministry, new field of ministry, etc. This is of special interest to the rest of the Body of Christ. Be sure to write a short history of the ministry for the last paragraph.
3. Your ministry or principal makes a statement on some current event or issue. Quote somebody : Reverend Smith comments, "It is our view that ..."
4. Your ministry and another ministry join forces for a special occasion or combined effort in any endeavor. Quotes from personnel of both ministries would be appropriate here.
5. Your ministry announces a special "mission." Good examples of this are the mass meetings of evangelistic organizations in various cities.
6. Your ministry itself - or ministry personnel - receives a commendation, award, or special recognition of any kind. Be sure to include a quote from both the awarding organization and the person receiving the award, if possible.
7. Your ministry is engaging in a fund-raising effort. It’s a good idea in this sort of release to include statistics, quotes, and interviews to let the readers know why this effort has been undertaken.
8. You wish to announce the opening of a new facility, or a tour or open house of any of your offices. Be sure to include the particulars but be brief.
9. You receive a celebrity endorsement or are being assisted in any way by such a person. A quote from such a person is of particular interest to the public.
10. Your ministry or principal person is celebrating an anniversary of any kind. People are interested in anniversaries - the more years elapsed, the better.
11. Your ministry wishes to announce a change in leadership,
a retirement, the hiring of a new person to an important
post, change in assignment, restructuring, etc. In
such cases, some sort of rationale may be interesting
to the readers.
12. You issue a report, such as a yearly report to supporters, or even to the world in general.
13. You are undertaking a new direction in evangelism, a drive to increase the number of partners, a specific task in your field of endeavor, etc.
14. Your ministry is involved in any sort of controversy and you wish to "tell your side of the story." Try to be as objective as possible, and do not denigrate the other side. Any subjective statements should be enclosed in quotes and attributed.
15. You want to get a specific message out to your supporters about a certain (noncontroversial) subject.
16. Your ministry or personnel are going to be the subject of any kind of media coverage, as in, "Rev. Black To Be Featured On National TV Show."
17. You want to announce a success of any kind. We all are encouraged by success and people like to read about it.
18. Your ministry is offering services or information following a disaster of any kind, as in, "Wayside Ministry To Distribute Food Parcels To Victims Of Hurricane."
And so on - I am sure there are many more!
Before you write a press release, please study the
page, "How To Write A Press
Release." This gives the rules and the acceptable
format for www.evangelicalnews.org.
Abiding by these rules and using the format illustrated
will earn the Editor’s gratitude.
In any of the above events or the myriads of others
which may arise, Evangelical News will be pleased to
receive your press release. Email is the preferred
method of submittal. If, in the judgment of the Editor,
the press release is appropriate for the web site,
it will be posted in accordance with our stated policies.
(The Editor reserves the right to edit copy, if needed,
to conform to our formatting requirements. In the case
of copy needing extensive editing, The Editor will
endeavor to contact you.)
In addition, please read the page, Policies and Privacy Statement, before submitting. By submitting a release or by using the web site in any way, you agree to abide by our policies and by common sense.
Let all be done to the glory of God!
In His Service,
The Editor
Evangelical News
"Where Ministries Meet"
staff@evangelicalnews.org
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