The summer slump—it’s a familiar challenge for many churches. Attendance dips as families head out for vacation, and the energy can feel a little lower. But what if you could not only beat the slump but also create the most inviting and impactful series of the year? Orchard.Church, a Converge Rocky Mountain multisite church in Colorado, has done just that with its annual At The Movies (ATM) series.
The church designed the strategic 5-week series to be highly appealing and attract not only regular attendees but also community members who have never been to church or rarely attend. The concept is simple yet powerful: use messages based on popular movies to illustrate principles and passages found in the Bible.
Modern Parables for a Movie-Loving Culture
The idea isn’t new—it’s borrowed from Jesus himself, who often taught using parables. He took relevant topics of his day and wove them into stories people could understand. Orchard.Church has adapted this method for a modern audience.
“Most people love movies…believers and non-believers all tend to like movies,” says Lead and Founding Pastor Doug Dameron. “It’s a very creative thing to tie it to scripture. We take the approach that we’re doing what Jesus did. He spoke in parables, and movies are like modern-day parables, using them to illustrate biblical spiritual truth. When people hear about it, they’re always like, ‘Wait, what does this look like?’ They’re just intrigued.”
That intrigue is a powerful tool. The series has become so popular that people have told Dameron they plan their summer vacations around it so they don’t miss out. It’s a testament to creating an experience that people genuinely want to be a part of.
Creating an Unforgettable Experience
A key component of the series’ success is the full-blown experience that begins the moment someone drives onto the property. For the final movie of each series, the church’s lobbies are completely transformed to match the theme. These aren’t just a few posters and props—they are immersive, movie-set-level creations.
In 2023, a Star Wars theme featured a replica of Jabba’s palace, life-size robotic Banthas, Luke Skywalker’s land speeder and a mock-up of the Mos Eisley Cantina, which served free popcorn, soda and candy. The following year, a Willy Wonka theme mesmerized attendees with a working chocolate waterfall and river, the famous Eggdicator and other interactive elements.
“It’s fun to just stand in the lobby at the main doors to watch when people walk in and they see the entire lobby completely transformed,” says Dameron. “It feels like you’re going to Disney World or something. They stop, and they just look around in awe.”
This wow factor is intentional. It immediately breaks down barriers and shows a level of care and creativity that many first-time guests don’t expect from a church. The free concessions add to the movie-theater vibe.
“People will ask, ‘Where do I pay?’ And we’re like, ‘No, this is to be a blessing to you,’” says Dameron. “Because one of our values is we’re for our community, not just in our community. And this is one of the ways to live that out.”
The Results Speak for Themselves
While the fun and creativity are major draws, the ultimate goal is much deeper.
“Ultimately, we do it to fulfill our mission to be people helping people find and follow Jesus,” Dameron explains. “And we have found through the years that it’s the most invitable series of the year.”
The numbers from the most recent At The Movies series, themed around The Lion King, are staggering. The church saw a 22% attendance increase at its Brighton location and a 12% jump across all its campuses.
During the five-week series:
- 586 volunteers served to make it all happen.
- 305 first-time guests walked through the doors.
- 121 people attended the Next Steps Experience to get more connected.
- 786 people said “Yes” to Jesus.
- 185 people went public with their faith through baptism.
These aren’t just statistics—they represent lives changed. The immense effort, cost and countless volunteer hours are all validated by this spiritual fruit.
“When you see every week hundreds of people saying yes to Jesus and almost 200 people getting baptized right after, that makes it all worth it,” says Dameron. “If we just did it and had a fun time, but we didn’t see decisions, then it would kind of just be a waste, you know? What’s the point?”
At Orchard.Church, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this past October, the impact of At The Movies is undeniable. It has become their single most effective outreach. When they ask new people how they first came to Orchard, the most common answer is, “I started coming during the ‘At The Movies’ series.” It proves that by meeting people where they are—with a shared love for stories—the church can open the door for them to encounter something far more profound.