Marcus Box

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. The MARCUS Box includes a DVD with the first two episodes of StoryKeepers along with the Gospel of Mark, a board game and stickers -- your gift to children in your neighborhood or to use in other contexts. But it was designed as a way to gently introduce children to Jesus and to invite them to church.

How does it work?

DISTRIBUTE: The MARCUS boxes are given by your church to unchurched children. The children take Marcus home where they enjoy the two episodes (English or Spanish). The materials and game board provide parents with an easy way to engage their children and presents the basic Gospel message in a simple manner.

PARTIES: The church then invites the child to a party at the church and invites them to bring the whole family too. The handbook The Story Lives On (see "You might also like" link below) was written specifically for the family party & bible study. It recognises that helpers may be few! 

GIFT: The program suggests you give each child a present to take home from your party -- such as a Prayer Pot. This is a simple ceramic pot that you provide or make out of clay during the party. Children are invited to hold the pot and say or even whisper their prayers into the pot. The prayer pot encourages the whole family to pray at home. You can, of course, come up with another suitable gifts to send home with your families.

FOLLOW UP WORSHIP: The stage is now set for you to invite the whole family to a worship service suitable for their tentative state. Shortly after the party, invite the families to a special family service where children are engaged in leading, singing, etc. Take care to link your existing families with the visiting families....and invite them to come the next week to see the Episode #3 in the StoryKeepers series. 

This process is a great way to start off your fall Sunday School season -- and make it easy for new families to join your church. Remember to engage your children in this process as their welcome will mean the most to the new children.

What results can we expect?

Every situation will be different. However, we can say that churches have reported that almost 50% of the families receiving the boxes they distributed in their neighborhood came to the party and most of those ultimately joined the congregation. Other churches have used these boxes as welcome gifts for all new children, as first communion gifts and as gifts for children in a homeless shelter. The dual language track means that it is also a great way to launch a Latino ministry and it is perfect for a new church startup. The combination of DVD, game and text makes this a great gift and a gentle way to spread the Good News.

What does it cost?

The MARCUS Box in the USA is $6 per child. To inquire about other countries or to order for Canada ($8/ea), contact us and we will either process the order or refer you to a local distributor.