Advertisements for the Devonshire Church of Christ, the Evangelical Church and the Baha'is ran on radio and TV this week.

Advertising managers from both the Bermuda Broadcasting Company and VSB radio and TV stations noted yesterday religious advertising seemed to be a new trend, although it had been done in the past.

Church of Christ minister Mr. Derek Hamlin, pleased with the results of his church's advertisements, said he believed mass communication could work, if used properly.

The church, which regularly advertises service times in The Royal Gazette , planned on running further "infomercials'', he said.

But he did not want people to get the wrong idea. He stressed the advertisements were not to boost membership or to compete with other churches.

"They are to tell people where we are and that we worship God,'' he said. Mr.

Hamlin said the church's membership had "soared'' this past year without any advertising.

But he believed advertising on television and radio was more effective than in newspapers.

Senior member of the Baha'i faith Mr. Jordy Walker said he believed people tended to forget newspaper advertisements much sooner.

He said the Baha'is would continue to advertise during the local weather and news on both ZBM and VSB.

He added: "People seem to be following our lead. We have been running a month-long advertising campaign to raise awareness of the Baha'i faith, but we have nothing to offer except our message.'' BBC acting marketing supervisor Ms Leola Stovell said it was the first time she had heard of a church running an advertisement seeking out new members.

But she said churches had been advertising services and guest speakers on the airwaves for years.

And VSB television advertising manager Mrs. Eileen Dunstan said while the Vernon Temple AME Church Sunday services were broadcast every week, she had not had many requests for other religious advertising.