Episcopal Ad Project

This ministry was started at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Minneapolis, in 1978. The Rev. Dr. George Harvey Martin, the rector, asked for help from advertising professionals to write ads which would invite people into the Episcopal Church. Martin asked for help from Tom McElligott, Jr., the son of an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Minnesota. McElligott agreed to participate. In 1978 six ads were created using line drawings and simple headlines. One of the most familiar ads presented a picture of Christ with the words, “He died to take away your sins, not your mind.” In 1991 the name for the ministry was changed to The Church Ad Project. The Ad Project has created more than 90 black and white ads. Many of the ads have been turned into posters, which have been used in hundreds of churches and conference centers. The Church Ad Project is an independent, interdenominational ministry.