The Public Relations Society of America defines public relations as a process that
“helps an organization and its publics adapt mutually to each other.” Let’s break that
definition down a little and get a real sense for what PR is about.

Helps an organization
It doesn’t matter whether the organization is a multinational corporation, government
agency, local business or Christian ministry. Public relations efforts help them achieve
their goals.

And its publics
Publics are more than just customers. They are any audience the organization wants
to reach with its message. In the case of Reformers Unanimous, our publics are not only

students and their families but are local and national media (Christian and secular), leaders,
donors and anyone else who might need to know about Reformers Unanimous.

Adapt mutually to each other
The goal of any public relations effort is to do two things – help a specific audience
learn more about an aspect of your organization and gauge the response of the public to
the information you’re trying to get out.

So the work of public relations is getting information in the hands of people who are
your “public.”

Why you should be involved in public relations
Do you want to see more students come to your Reformers Unanimous chapter?
Would you like to have more opportunities to share the gospel with addicts and others

in your community? Do you want people to really know what your chapter and your church are doing?
If your answer to any of these questions is “yes,” then you need to be doing PR work.

Relating to your public
Believe it or not, your entire community doesn’t know what’s happening in your
chapter. As a matter of fact, most of the people in your town may have never even heard of
Reformers Unanimous. Shocking, isn’t it?

You want to impact your community. It’s easy enough to look up your local
newspaper’s address and send them a press release saying something like, “Everybody
send your addicts to Reformers Unanimous.” And maybe that paper will print a story
about you and you’ll see a few new students come through your church doors. That’s basic PR in action.

But wait, there’s a lot more you can do. Think of it this way: Anything you can do
that will cause the people in your community to become interested in or excited about
your church and Reformers Unanimous chapter is PR. And the more people understand
what you do, the more likely it is that they will want to be part of it. In other words, PR
is a major way for you to draw addicts (and their families) to your church.

Tools for doing PR successfully
Now you see the value of doing public relations. Let’s talk about how you do it.
There are some basic tools of the trade that are necessary for your success. But you can
certainly move beyond the basics and explore new ways of spreading the word.

Press Release
A press release is generally the first thing people think of when we talk about public
relations. Press releases are written pieces that provide publications with the necessary
information about an event or situation. In a moment we’ll get into what you should and
shouldn’t include in a press release. First, let’s talk about its purpose.

When you write a press release to a newspaper, you are hoping an editor will find
your news interesting enough to take the time to write a story. In other words, you want
free press. And remember, free press, as we said earlier, is always the goal of public
relations.

There is a distinct difference between small-town and weekly papers and the larger
metropolitan daily newspapers. If you live in a small town or rural area, your local paper
will more often be excited about publishing your story if you send in a press release
because they are always looking for stories.

If you’re in a big city, the challenge is to make your press release worthy of the
editor’s attention. Public relations professional Andy Marken says, “Many editors
receive 800 to 1,000 releases a month, a large percentage of which don’t even relate to
the editorial direction of their publications.” So, in some cases, you may be competing
with up to 1,000 other possible stories for space.

And that’s not the only problem. Marken adds, “Even if a release is pertinent to the
publication, many are written so poorly that they defy the editor to find the news.”
Hmm, now they’re also concerned about your writing ability.

Here’s a secret, though: You don’t have to be a good writer or understand how
newspapers work to get publicity for your chapter. You just have to know how to sell a
story.

• Who
• What
• When
• Where
• Why
• How

Those of you who have taken writing courses in school will undoubtedly remember
this as the “5 W’s and 1 H” of journalism. It’s a basic rule, but let’s reiterate that your
press release needs to include exactly what the editor needs to know. By providing this
basic information, they have all the facts of the event in question and can write an article
from the information you’ve given. Plus, if the event is particularly interesting to the
editor, he or she might even send someone to cover the event. But, we’re getting a little
ahead of ourselves with that. For now, let’s focus on providing information that will
make your press release complete.

Your release also needs to include contact and organization information and, if
possible, quotes to use in the article. Provide the editor with the name, phone number
and e-mail address of someone to contact if he needs more information. Providing
information on your church, your church’s Reformers Unanimous chapter and Reformers
Unanimous International gives editors a frame of reference for understanding how significant
your event is and that your chapter are part of a bigger movement locally (your church) and
internationally (Reformers Unanimous). Quotes help lend an air of professionalism to the release
and provide a “face” for the article. When a journalist can say “so and so, a spokesperson for the
chapter, said” it gives him more options for the way he presents the material.

Your release should not contain superfluous information, jargon/slang, inside
information or negative references to any other organization, association or community.
Let’s briefly touch on each of these items and why it’s important that you avoid
them in your press release.

• Superfluous information.

This means any information that isn’t necessary to
the writing of the story. In other words, don’t get off on tangents in your
release. The editor or reporter doesn’t need to know the whole history of the
event, the names of everyone involved, the complete evening schedule,
awards won and other points unless these details are directly relevant to an
article he’ll write about the event. Focus your energy on clearly communicating
the 5 W’s and 1 H and leave out any information that doesn’t fit there.

• Jargon/slang.

There are times when slang can be very appropriate in a press
release. If you’re sending a release to a technical journal and are talking about
a specific breakthrough or new product, jargon or slang can help clarify the
importance of your story. If you’re sending out a release about an upcoming
teen event, it might be appropriate to use teen slang to attract readers. But, as a general rule, the more you use slang or jargon (i.e., “Reformers Unanimous-speak”, “church
speak”, etc.) in your release, the less clear your communication.

• Inside information.

Don’t take anything for granted! Just because you and
others in your church may know a specific site, event or other piece of
information doesn’t mean everyone does. Keep in mind that a press release is
written for the editor’s benefit, not yours. If your release is filled with tidbits
and inside information that aren’t clear to both the editor and the publication’s
readership, it might not ever get published.

• Negative references to any other organization, association or community.

This is important because our image needs to be that of a group carrying the
name of Christ into the world. When we focus our efforts on attracting others
to church, we can avoid the trap of comparing others with ourselves. In other
words, even if you have a strong opinion about what an organization,
association or community might be doing, keep it to yourself (at least in the
case of a press release). On the other hand, your strong opinion might fit very
nicely into the “op ed” pitch, which is described in detail a little later in this
booklet.

Another ingredient that helps get your press release noticed is a photo. Most local
papers are looking for good visual material to publish, and if you can provide a high quality
picture to accompany your press release, you will attract attention.

Your release should end with a “tag line” about your church. A tag line is simply
a series of statements about the church, which might include contact information,
denominational affiliation, location, size, ministries offered, etc. It’s a standard statement
to give the editor a quick picture of your church. Here’s the official Reformers Unanimous
Chapter International tag line, so you can get an idea of what one looks like:

Reformers Unanimous is the fastest growing faith based addictions program in the United States.
We have over 600 chapters in the US and 11 foreign countries.

• If you’re promoting a specific event (such as a special speaker or an outing),
be sure to mail the release at least two weeks prior to the event. Most
newspapers have a backlog of press releases fighting for publication. Give the
editor plenty of advance notice.

• Keep your release brief. It should be no more than one typed page maximum.

• Start the release with the phrase “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.” This lets
the editor know that your press release is about something happening now and
he can publish it as soon as he likes.

• End your release with the symbol “###”. This lets the editor know he or she
isn’t missing any pages.

Sample Press Release

For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian Braddock
Telephone: 815/986/0460 ext. 104
Email: [email protected]

ADDICTION PROGRAM ANNOUNCES BUILDING DEDICATION.
Community leaders in attendance to show support.

Reformer’s Unanimous, and local community leaders will gather on April 16th to dedicate their Men’s School of Discipleship, a faith based rehabilitation facility. The event will recognize a man who has dedicated more than 35 years of service in the Rockford area. The dedication ceremony will include the presentation of a commemorative plaque, addresses from community leaders, and a naming ceremony.

The 32,000 square foot building includes facilities for 100 men, a high tech auditorium, full commercial kitchen, and lodging for visiting family members. It also has a beautiful courtyard and offices for staff of Reformers Unanimous. Reformers Unanimous International (RUI) began in April of 1996 right here in Rockford. To date, there are over 500 member organizations around the world using the program format and curriculum to meet the needs of the addicted in their communities. Each week, these “chapters” serve an average of 32,000 people who are affected by addictions, and incorporate the help of over 5,000 volunteers.

Since its inception, RUI has worked to improve the quality of life for Rockford citizens by providing an array of services for those suffering from the effects of addictions. Our Rockford out-patient class averages 300 in attendance each Friday night and also provides services for approximately 70 people per week at the Rockford Rescue Mission, the Salvation Army, and the Winnebago County Jail.

In 2001, RUI opened a residential treatment program for men struggling with addictions. In 2003, we added a home for women. Since opening these homes, RUI has enjoyed an 66% overall success rate of sobriety, an 89% record of employment, an 82% record of restoring family relationships with spouses and children, and 78% still attend a support group. Of the students who attend our weekly “outpatient” classes and complete the program, we find 70% of them experience ongoing sobriety.

RUI not only improves the individual’s prospects for personal achievement, but it also contributes to the long-term stability and safety of our community. In 2005, our steady growth increased demand, and the Schools of Discipleship were quickly filled to capacity demanding a larger facility to meet the ever increasing need of the addicted. The need was met through the miraculous donation of a 100-bed facility that was formerly a convalescent home! This event will be a formal dedication of the building, and recognition of the contributions of community leaders to this program.

Many local leaders will be present to show their support for the Reformers Unanimous Program. Speakers will include: Senator Dave Syverson, Scott Christiansen (Chairman of the Winnebago County Board), Paul Logli (States Attorney), Richard Meyers (Winnebago County Sheriff), Frank Beach (Alderman) and Bill Timm (Alderman). Also among those attending: Congressman Don Manzullo, Senator Brad Burzyski, State Representative Dave Winters, State Representative Ron Wait, District County Representative Ray Gracetta, District County Representative Angie Goral, Director of Corrections Andrea Tack, County Alternate Program Commissioner Perry Weatherford, V.P. County Alternate Program Barb Nelson, and Deputy County Administrator Earl Dotson Jr.

For additional information about Reformers Unanimous you can visit the the following websites: www.reformu.com, www.ruhomes.org, or call Reformers Unanimous at 815-986-0460 x 104. The dedication will be held April 16th at 10 am on the front lawn at 10 am. Members of the public as well as the press are strongly encouraged to attend.

###

Public Service Announcement
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has a policy requiring all radio and
TV broadcast stations to donate a certain amount of time each week to broadcasting
public service announcements. This means free publicity for organizations that can
provide public service announcements.

A PSA is a 10- to 60-second script to be read on air. It should present all the pertinent
information about an event (in other words, the 5 W’s and 1 H we discussed earlier).
In most cases, the station will literally read word for word the release you send. The
key is effectively keeping the script to the time limits and presenting the necessary
information.

Public service announcements are similar to press releases in that the radio stations
will typically get a great number of them and will run the ones they believe are of the
most interest to their listeners. The better prepared your PSA, the better your odds of
getting it read on the air.

Address the announcement to the station’s public service director. Try to find out that
person’s name in advance of sending the announcement.
On the next page is a sample public service announcement.

Public Service Announcement
Edmonton, April 10, 2001
Where Does Our Alphabet Come From?
The eighth season of Time Travelers, the Provincial Museum’s annual archaeological
lecture series, continues with its second lecture on Thursday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the
Museum Theatre.

Join Dr. Walter Aufrecht of the University of Lethbridge as he uses writing and
inscriptions from the ancient Near East to show how the alphabet originated and developed
in ancient Syria. Through these texts, the ancients communicate directly with us in
their own words.

Upcoming lectures in the Time Travelers series include:
Alberta, Athapaskans and Apaches
Dr. Jack Ives and Terry Norwegian Sawyer
Thursday, April 26, 7:30 pm
Syria’s Early Bronze Age
Dr. Michel Fortin, Laval University
Thursday, May 3, 7:30 pm
Admission for a single lecture for adults and students is $6. For tickets, call the
Provincial Museum of Alberta at (780) 453-9193 or for toll-free access dial 310-0000.
The Provincial Museum of Alberta is located at 12845 - 102 Avenue in Edmonton.
Visit our website at http://www.pma.edmonton.ab.ca.

###

Media inquiries may be directed to:
Julie Calderbank
Communications Coordinator
The Provincial Museum of Alberta
(780) 453-9111
Lisa Monsees
Communications Assistant
The Provincial Museum of Alberta
(780) 453-9119

PSA Basics
Here are the ingredients of a public service announcement broken down into bite-size
pieces:

Heading. Always start your announcement with the heading “PUBLIC SERVICE
ANNOUNCEMENT” written across the top of the page. This makes it clear to whoever
opens that envelope what it is that he is reading.

Date. Skip a couple of lines and then put today’s date on the left side of the page.

Headline. Skip a couple of more lines and give your announcement a headline. Be
creative! Make it a headline that will draw the reader’s attention.

Body. Write the story. This text should use what journalists call the “inverted pyramid”
style. That means you should start off with all the details in your opening paragraph
– answer the 5 W’s and 1 H first. Your second paragraph can be more explanatory
or provide more detail.

It’s important to remember that your announcement’s body should be no longer than
70 words. Think about it this way: You can expect that each word of text will take about
one second to read. If you are providing a 60-second PSA, anything more than 70 words
can’t be done without it sounding really rushed! A 30-second PSA will generally be no
more than 40 words.

Make sure your announcement ends with information on how listeners can find out
more about the event – give a name and phone number. End the body the same way you end a press release (###). That way the reader will
know where the text to be read will end.

Contact information. Follow the body with contact information for the station
personnel. Write “Media inquiries may be directed to” and give two names and phone
numbers (as well as e-mail addresses, if possible).

Other Tools for Publicizing Your Chapter

Media Alert
A media alert is basically a one-page bulletin or fact sheet that gives all the details
about your event or organization. It gives an editor or reporter all the information he
needs about the event and why it’s important to the community.

Captioned Photos
Sometimes you don’t even need a press release or public service announcement. If
you have an interesting photo, you can just throw all the pertinent information in with it
and submit that to your newspaper. A really fascinating or intriguing picture can draw
readers and tell the story you want to communicate.

Pitches
A pitch letter is a little more involved than any of the previous tools we’ve discussed.
It is actually an attempt at convincing an editor to publish a story idea that you have. A
pitch letter needs to be very focused. Your letter should not be too detailed in describing
how a story should look or be written but does need to accurately present a unique idea
that would be of interest to that editor’s readers. A pitch is a personal letter containing
the fine points of an idea that you’d love to see an editor cover.

A pitch can be very useful in situations when you’d like to see a newspaper cover a
certain topic and you can provide “expert input.” Otherwise, it’s probably best for
purposes of your chapter promotion to stick to the tools above.

Without question the most effective type of pitch would be the “op ed” piece. This
particular tool is basically an editorial opinion article that is really thinly veiled public
relations. If you can write persuasively on a hot current news topic and use your arguments
to sway readers to a consideration of the Christian perspective on that topic, you
have earned the opportunity to add information about your chapter or church. For instance,
an editorial on addiction recovery might easily lead to an invitation for the families of the addicted
in the audience to consider how they are helping their loved one and
what better way than by sending them to Reformers Unanimous?

But be very careful with the op ed. If you fail to choose your topics wisely or don’t
use clear enough reasoning, the article could either go unpublished or could backfire
altogether.

One final note
Be sure that you include current information on your Reformers Unanimous Chapter in the
materials you send out. Current numbers reflect positively on us and give the reader a true
picture of your church and Reformers Unanimous. If you need to find current information
(including numbers) on Reformers Unanimous International, you can contact [email protected]
for up to date info. This is the press room pageon the Reformers Unanimous web site.

Moving beyond tools to methods
The way you communicate is every bit as important as what you want to communicate.
This is especially true when you’re hoping to get press coverage for your church or
chapter. If you send a great press release, providing all the information the editor needs
and initiating that communication with sensitivity to the publication’s audience and the
editor’s time and resources, you stand a far greater chance of seeing results.

It is acceptable to phone or e-mail an editor to check in about the status of your press
release or pitch. But only do it once! More contact than that (outside the editor’s initiation)
will almost assuredly result in your press release being banished from his or her
office unpublished.

That’s why you need to carefully plan your public relations campaign. “Whoa, hold
on,” you’re saying. “Campaign? We just want to get some people to check out our
Reformers Unanimous chapter.”

Yes, that’s the goal, but it’s important that you go into any public relations effort with
a clear plan for what you’re going to do and what results you hope to achieve. That’s
why we call it a “campaign.” It’s more than just a press release or public service announcement.
Those are the tools you use to accomplish your goal.azs

Creating a Game Plan
Here are the steps to creating a basic public relations (or promotion) plan for your
chapter:

1. Decide what it is you’re going to promote. Is it your Reformers Unanimous chapter?
Is it a onetime event? Is it a particular students story? Be as specific as you can.

2. Set a goal. Do you want more students coming to chapter each week? Do you want
increased public awareness of your chapter? Choose a specific goal that you
believe is attainable.

3. Quantify your goal. Give that goal a number. If your goal is to have more
students in Reformers Unanimous, how many more? Having a numeric goal in mind
will make it easier for you to track how successful your campaign has been.

4. Pray about your plan. OK, prayer should be going on at each stage of this
process, but we’re placing it here as a reminder that the way you see more
students and families come to your church is through the Lord’s work and not
yours. Praying is central to the process – it keeps your focus right.

5. Don’t be afraid to think big! Go back over the first three steps after you’ve
prayed and ask yourself if your original ideas were too small. The loftier your
goal, the more exciting it will be when you reach it (and the more dedicated
everyone will become in the process).

6. Map out the different vehicles you will use to convey your message. Here is
a checklist:
______ Metro daily newspaper
______ Local weekly papers
______ Cost-cutter papers
______ Local Christian radio stations
______ Local news or secular stations
______ Signs in store windows
______ Mass or bulk mailings
______ Fliers handed out at community events
______ Presentation at local schools
______ One-time events
______ Telemarketing
______ Wrapped vehicle or car magnet

This list is not complete. Use your imagination and come up with other ways that you
can get the word out. And by all means, use more than one vehicle for your promotion
strategy.

The second portion of this step is to gather the information you need to contact the
station, newspaper or store to which you will be sending your piece.

The key is to make sure you send it to the proper person. If you are sending a release
to your newspaper, the logical first choice would be the religion editor. Don’t send your
release to the news editor unless you are sure that your release is going to fit best into
that section. Be sure to get a name! Don’t just send your release to “Editor” or “Religion
Editor.” Call the paper and ask for the name of the editor.

You know the audience you’re trying to reach. Make sure you know the audience that
paper or station is trying to reach.

Choose the tools you will use. If you are going to use the local newspapers, will you
send a press release or try to pitch an editorial article? Here’s a brief tools list:
______ Press release
______ Pitch letter
______ Public service announcement
______ Flier/mailing
______ Sign
______ Advertisement
______ Photo
______ Script (for telemarketing, PSA or ad)

Again, this list is not all-inclusive. Use your imagination and find new ways to draw
attention to your chapter.

What You Want to Say
Now that you’ve chosen what you’ll be promoting, where you’ll be promoting it and
how, the next step is to decide what you want to say. This step is probably the one you’ll
need to spend the most time plotting. It’s important to prayerfully consider the words,
pictures, phrases, etc., you’ll be using here.

An important ingredient in this step is to make sure you are giving all the right
information. This includes updated numbers on Reformers Unanimous Chapter International.
Let’s face it, to say Reformers Unanimous has 250 chapters sounds impressive, but, if you
check into it, you’ll discover we currently have over 600 now (and growing all the time).

Giving all the most current information not only makes it sound like your chapter is part of
an even bigger movement, it keeps that editor from having to dig up the real information
(or printing something that is outdated).

If you choose to write up your own release or PSA, you can do nearly anything you’d
like. Just be sure to include all the information we discussed earlier (the 5 W’s and 1 H),
contact information and a catchy opening. Adding in information about Reformers Unanimous
International helps the editor see that your chapter is a local manifestation of something that is
a large (and international) movement. This gives the editor a clearer picture of what you’re doing.

Another Set of Eyes
OK, you’ve written your communication. The next step is to have it edited by two
people not involved in your chapter. They can be people from your church (or even your
spouse, if you’d like). This is important because, even if you are a very good writer,
there may be details you’ve overlooked in the process. And an extra set of eyes can
catch mistakes or omissions before they’re sent to an editor who may not be as inclined
to forgive an error in your communication.

Don’t Forget to Pray
Pray with others about the promotion pieces before you send them. Pray that God
will use them to bring families to your church, and that addicts will hear the gospel as a
result of this effort. Pray for the editors and journalists who may publish your piece.
Then send out your release. You can check with the editor one time about your release
or, in the case of a PSA, you can check with a station representative once. But remember
that you don’t want to come across as “pestering” the people.

Undercover PR
We’ve discussed the basics of doing public relations and what it can do for your chapter.
Now we’ll going into an area that most people don’t think of when they talk about public
relations. It’s what we might call “undercover public relations.”

As we said earlier, public relations is getting information in the hands of people who
are your public. Sometimes thinking differently about how you communicate with them
brings about even better results. Let’s look at three examples:

1. First Baptist Church has just hired a new senior pastor. He is moving here from
Michigan, where he has been an associate pastor for the past five years.

2. Central Baptist Church is building a new sanctuary. The church is moving into the
building next summer because it has outgrown its current location.

3. Faith Baptist Church welcomes a missionary on furlough to speak at
the Sunday evening service. He is church-planting in Zimbabwe and will be
presenting a slide show on his work there.

What do all of these items have in common? They are all newsworthy! Believe it or
not, almost any event, whether it is a one-time occasion or something ongoing, is
potentially of interest to a newspaper editor. It’s all in how you approach him with the
story. The best part is that you can use that event not only to get people interested in the
event but also in your church (and Reformers Unanimous chapter).
How? By including enough information in the body of your press release that people
will know where to turn if they are interested.

For example
If First Baptist Church (in our example above) shows some PR savvy, it won’t just
think that the new pastor is only news to the congregation. Nor will it think that the story
should only be about the new pastor and his family. If the church is really clever, it can
not only provide a good story about a new pastor coming to town, but turn it into an
open invitation to the community to check out the church.

In its press release, First Baptist mentions its location at 120 S. Main Street, gives the
phone number and maybe even a fax number and e-mail address. Maybe it even includes
directions. The press release certainly includes tidbits such as infant care provided
during the morning service, youth group for the teenagers, a singles group, young
married group, prayer luncheons once a month and, definitely, Reformers Unanimous
for the addicted.

Don’t throw everything into the press release, but keep in mind that the people
reading an article may want to take action on it. There may be individuals reading
the newspaper that want to find help with their addiction or for an addicted love one.
Give them a way to take action on the article. Let them know that your church is
about more than just a new pastor – we have something to help them.

That’s using undercover PR. You are taking a story (an important event or news
piece related to your church or chapter) and making it into a call to action.

Nearly any event or announcement you want to make to your community can become
a call to action. You are using that event or announcement as a way to get “information
into the hands of your public.”

Here’s a brainstorming list as you begin to consider undercover public relations:
Look at your church/RU calendar for the next year.
1. What special events are planned?
2. What holiday events does your chapter celebrate every year?
3. Are there any special speakers, or musicians coming to visit?
4. When is your Reformers Unanimous picnic, party, or special rewards recognition
on Sunday night?
5. Does your church facility or congregation have a unique history?
6. How many years has your church been doing Reformers Unanimous?
7. Will your church or Reformers Unanimous chapter be involved in any special
community service projects this year?

Once again, this list is not all-inclusive. It’s merely meant to help spark some ideas for
items that you might be able to pitch to your local newspaper. There are bound to be many
more interesting items that are not on the list. Come up with your own list, using this one
as a springboard.

After you’ve listed items you can promote, go back to the steps for putting together a
public relations campaign and begin the process.

Web presence
Having a web site or web page is a relatively inexpensive way of doing public relations.
You can use it to promote your chapter and pretty much any other church ministry.
There are two key concerns with creating and maintaining a web site for your chapter:
security and traffic.

Developing a Community
Developing a community is essential to getting visitors, and keeping them so you can
communicate to them. You can do this a number of ways we will list a few

• Share your expertise on addiction in articles on your website
• Have a newsletter for those interested in your chapter
• Have up to date information about your chapter
• Consider putting a forum on your site
• Put videos of your RU students testimonies

Encouraging traffic
Traffic is an essential if you want to reach people. You want as many people coming
to your site as you can attract because the more traffic you get, the more likely you are
to draw anew students to your chapter.

How do you attract visitors to your site? This is definitely a matter of personal taste,
but there are a lot of ideas floating out there that you can consider. Here are a few:

1. Put your web address on all pieces of print correspondence. You can include
it just beneath your church’s postal address or phone number on letterhead,
brochures, press releases, etc.

2. Ask for web links from other web sites you enjoy or relevant such as other churches, rehabs detoxes etc.. This basically means that you ask them to have your link
on their site. People visiting these other sites will discover yours as well.

3. List with a search engine. Internet search engines such as Yahoo, Lycos and
Google are useful for web surfers who might be looking for a church in their
community.

4. Promote the site within your church. If you use your site as a reference point
for information about the church, sermon notes, resources and other items, let
everyone at the church know about it. Believe it or not, this is also a way of
attracting visitors from outside the church. If your congregation finds it useful,
they will be inclined to pass the information on to family and friends.
Once people have started visiting the site, the next step is to keep them coming back.

There are some basic rules to follow here as well:

1. Keep content regularly changing. This doesn’t mean that you have to change
the way everything looks each week. Just make sure someone adds new
information (text, photos, graphics, games, whatever!) as regularly as you
possibly can. Folks won’t keep coming back to your site if they see the same
things each time they visit. Nothing is less attractive to a web surfer than going
to a site and seeing information that is way out of date or hasn’t changed in a
year.

2. Make it as easy as possible for people to contact someone from your
chapter. Whether this is an e-mail link, phone list or other contact information
for the church, make sure you give visitors the opportunity to find out more.

3. Don’t be afraid to be different. Try new things; even if they fail, you learn
from the experience.

4. Post as much current news as you can. People want to know what’s
happening, and posting your chapters ministry news on the site demonstrates
that there’s a lot going on here. It helps visitors see that your chapter is really
involved.

One thing about the web is certain – it isn’t going away any time soon. More and
more people are using it to find information, shop, explore and keep in touch. The more
you can do through this vehicle the better.

Closing thoughts
Now you see why it’s a great idea to do public relations work for your chapter and your
church. Get out there and let your community know what’s happening and how they can
get involved. You’ll see some great results – and reap a harvest in the process.

Resources
What Exactly is Reformers Unanimous?

Reformers Unanimous is a Christ centered addictions program that directs the intemperate back to God's support group the local church. Reformers Unanimous is headquartered under the authority of the North Love Baptist Church.

The program touches thousands of lives each week through addictions classes in over 600 cities in the United States and several foreign countries. We are available to help your Church, community or loved one. We have a complete line of curriculum, men's and women's treatment facilities, and an institutional program to serve those who are incarcerated. Contact us today to find out how we can partner with you to reach the adicted in your community through this incredible fruit bearing, life changing ministry.

The History of Reformers Unanimous
Reformers Unanimous began in April, 1996, with just one student. That person left after one week, and the next four weeks were spent teaching just spouses. After those weeks four new people began to attend (Jill, Gene, Todd, and Kevin). These four attended for the next two years. They became the foundation that we would build on: food addiction, crack cocaine, alcohol, and pornography. Four different people, four crippling addictions, yet only one need: Jesus Christ! We began to grow as the Truth began to set people free.

In year two the addition of counsel leaders and group counsel time to support the students during the week caused Reformers to grow exponentially. In 1999 Brother Curington authored the beginning curriculum: a program guide of the weekly lessons and tapes to follow along, and a handbook that encourages students to read the Bible, memorize the Bible, study the Bible (essays), and hear the Bible (church attendance). These a became the building blocks that Christ uses to change lives. The attendance began to explode.

In 2000 the acquisition of suitable housing allowed us to begin ministering to non-functioning addicts from around the country. Other chapters began to spring up throughout the states, and even in the Philippines. In 2001 we completed a line of workbooks to go with the handbook, began an award system to encourage participation (1 Corinthians 3:12,14), set goals of ten new Chapters per year and, most importantly,had our founder, Steve Curington, enter the ministry full time.

In 2002 the acquisition of increased staff and more chapters led the ministry to ask God for larger facilities. The answer came in the form of the Spafford Building which was generously donated to us by a Christian business man. This allowed the ministry to begin opening chapters at an increased rate of up to one hundred per year. Another generous donation also led to the purchase of a larger facility for our Schools of discipleship. Allowing the addition of a woman's program to our previously existing men's program.

In 2005 a steady growth pace continued with over 200 students a week in the Friday night class, and the Schools of Discipleship filled to capacity. Such explosive growth in the schools of discipleship demanded a larger facility to meet the ever increasing needs of the addicted. This need was met by a miracle from God- the donation of a hundred bed facility that was formerly a nursing home.

In its twelfth year serving the addicted, Reformers Unanimous has 40 full time employees, 130 men, and women in our discipleship homes and over 600 chapters. The ministry is now growing at a rate of a hundred chapters per year. In addition we now have a full line of curriculum in Spanish, institutional programs for the incarcerated, and ever increasing numbers of people in our Schools of Discipleship.

Reformers Unanimous at a Glance
Founded: 1996
Chairman: Dr. Paul Kingsbury
Founder/President: Steven Curington
Number of Chapters: 650
Number of students involved: 40,000
Number of adult leaders: 2,000
Residential Treatment Facilities: 2
Countries: 11

Steven Curington: President/Founder
Steven Curington had what most people would say was the perfect upbringing. His family attended church nearly every Sunday and put me through a Christian School. However, within two years after graduation, He was addicted to cocaine and alcohol. Addiction stripped him of all self-esteem, a prosperous career, and crippled him with debt.

At the age of 28, he nearly died in a drunk driving accident. With a punctured lung quickly drowning me in his own blood, He cried out to God, "I don't want to die!" His memory went blank from that point on. A lifesaving call to 911 rescued him from death. Later he would find the reasons for God's divine intervention that night.

Three months later he stepped back into the church where he worshipped as a child. That is when God began to change his life. The lessons learned over the next six months are the foundation of the Reformers Unanimous program. Steve went on to found Reformers Unanimous an international addictions program.

Steven Curington is the husband of Lori and the father of their five children: Charity, Chase, Channing, Chance, and Cherish. He is the founder of Reformers Unanimous, International, a faith-based, local-church discipleship program that ministers to the addicted, both within and without the body of Christ. Steven travels extensively, presenting the ministry and starting chapters of this fast-growing support group and discipleship classes in Bible-preaching churches all over the world. He also holds Regional Training Conferences for churches to meet the needs of the addicted in their own communities. He is a popular conference speaker and is available for meetings on the hidden life.

More information about Reformers Unanimous is available at his web site: www.reformu.com. Reformers Unanimous International is headquartered in the historic downtown district of Rockford, IL. Steve Curington Ministries involves both the preaching and print ministry for Brother Curington’s teachings on the “hidden life.” These are not warmed over truths culled from a book, but these are truths that God has given Steve, and he has a distinct burden to disseminate these truths through evangelistic meetings, MP3 sermons, and the printing of books.

Ben Burks: International Director
In 2001, Brother Burks attended the first conference in Rockford, Illinois hosted by Reformers Unanimous. He left Rockford with an intense desire to go home to Virginia and reach the addicted within his community. He began a chapter in Virginia shortly after returning home from that conference. His heart was stirred to reach the addicted not only in that community, but also across America. God led him and his family to Rockford, Illinois in 2003, only two years after attending that conference, to become the International Director of the fastest growing addiction ministry in the United States.

Brother Burks is a Bible school graduate and has worked as an Assistant Pastor, Senior Pastor, and Staff Evangelist. He has been in ministry since 1984, and has watched through the years as family, friends, and acquaintances have had their lives wrecked because of the many addictions that Satan uses to destroy lives. He has seen the destruction up close and from afar, and grew tired of watching lives and families destroyed. God has given to him a burden and a tool to help people who are held captive by their addictions and stubborn habits. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

He has used this tool, and seen thousands of lives changed and people set free from their chains of addiction. Reformers Unanimous is a faith based addiction program designed to direct the addicted back to God’s support group—the local church. Brother Burks is now privileged to travel and train others how to help the addicted within their communities. He is available to answer all questions about bring Reformers Unanimous to your community.
Recommended Resources

• News-Pro press release template. This is a good (and free) online press release
template (www.news-pro.com/Prtemplate.htm).
• Refdesk. It’s an online reference desk complete with links to news headlines,
information, resources, encyclopedias, search engines and more
(www.refdesk.com).
• NetLingo. It’s described as an “online dictionary about the Internet.” It’s also
extremely helpful (www.netlingo.com).
• Information Please. The online version of the well-known almanac is a good
source for news and numbers (www.infoplease.com).
• The Elements of Style. This book, by William Strunk, Jr., is an absolute classic
in the journalism world. It’s full of helpful rules and ideas on making your
writing effective. It’s also free online (www.bartleby.com/141/index.html).
• Dictionary.com. Okay, it’s not an original address, but it is a resource for things
like online dictionaries, Roget’s Thesaurus and translations from foreign
languages (www.dictionary.com).
• Media Post. This is a great resource for finding station and newspaper
information. They also provide helpful articles on public relations and
advertising (www.mediapost.com).