Hollywood, Calif. (BP)—Audiences turned out in force Sept. 26-28 for the opening weekend of “Fireproof,” the latest film from the makers of the 2006 surprise hit “Facing the Giants.”

“Fireproof” grossed $6.8 million during its first three days in theaters, making it the fourth-highest grossing movie in the U.S. The film also generated the second-highest average revenue in theaters shown during the weekend, beaten only by “Eagle Eye,” a thriller that showed in four times as many theaters and cost 160 times as much to make.

Across the country, people hungry for family friendly films packed the 839 theaters where “Fireproof” was showing. Attendance was boosted by churches that promoted the film to their members and in some cases bought out theaters as an outreach to their communities.

In Starke, Fla., almost 20 percent of the city’s entire population saw the movie, according to Joe Fennell, executive pastor of First Baptist Church of Starke. The congregation contracted with the local theater to show “Fireproof” free to all moviegoers—more than 1,100 people took advantage of the offer.

Moviegoers came from “across the spectrum,” Fennell noted. Church members brought co-workers and neighbors and non-believers came because it was free. He said he was especially pleased to see several engaged couples in the audience.

“I think the movie will provide a good foundation for them and increase their communication. It is an encouragement for healthy marriages, too,” Fennell acknowledged.

“As in many churches, we have marriages that are struggling,” he added. “We hope people will find in the movie enough truth of the gospel and truth about typical marriage that they will think that their own marriage is worth saving.”

Kathy Steele, an assistant professor at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, said she believes “Fireproof” will be a great encouragement to couples in difficult marriages.

“I believe this movie can have a huge impact on marriages. It is extremely realistic and deals with problems that are real in marriages today,” she said. “I think one of the greatest ways this movie could strengthen marriages is that it can give hope to one partner who really wants to change the marriage; that if they change, the marriage can change.

“I think ‘Fireproof’ could spark a new wave of Christians seeking to love their marital partners unconditionally, and to realize it has to be practical, everyday ways they treat each other,” Steele added. “My hope is that the neutral story of another couple, seen from the ‘inside,’ will motivate Christian couples in our churches to start seeking to be more obedient to Christ in how they respond to each other.”

When Pam Weitzel of New Hope Community Church in Baltimore heard Fireproof was coming out, she and her husband, Mark, helped spearhead a “date night” at their church. They were pleased to see many of their church friends in the theater on opening night.

Many couples take their marriages for granted, Mark Weitzel said, and “Fireproof” urged him to think differently about his wife.

“I thought it was an awesome movie. It was good for marriages,” he noted. “We need to act as ‘first date’ sweethearts. I want to continually treat my wife as if we are courting again ... even if we are 75.”

Bart Walker, pastor of Kingsville Baptist Church in Ball, La., said he believes the film also can help congregations reach people who do not attend church.

“The chief thing Fireproof is doing for us is giving a talking point for marriage and families,” Walker explained. “It shows how hard marriage really is. It shows the struggle for marriages to be mended. It takes supernatural intervention. And it shows no marriage is beyond repair.”

“Fireproof” speaks volumes about Christ’s power to change lives, he added.

“The world’s view of the veracity of the gospel is tied to the world’s view of God’s transforming power in His followers,” Walker said. “And since marriage is a living illustration of Christ and the church, then healthy marriages present a healthy picture of Christ and the church.”