When the movie "Fireproof" recently placed No. 4 at the box office on its opening weekend, the Christian drama with a marriage-minded message surpassed industry expectations, according to the film's press materials.

But Abilene resident Dan Carpenter wasn't surprised. He saw the movie, starring former television personality Kirk Cameron, twice -- once with his son-in-law, the second time with his wife -- during its opening weekend.

Both times, it was evident that church groups were in attendance, he said, the film's secret weapon for its success.

"Saturday night's showing was packed," he said. "Sunday afternoon was smaller but still well-attended."

The movie is part of an ongoing effort by certain studios to market overtly Christian films, recruiting churches to create a form of self-perpetuating, word-of-mouth advertising and encouraging whole congregations to buy up theater showings.

Carpenter called the film a "high-quality, God-focused film that clearly, and unashamedly, presents the challenges facing so many marriages in this age." The movie follows Cameron's character, a firefighter, who must learn to rescue his own marriage.

The film targets firefighters, police and other first responders, who often have divorce rates of up to 90 percent.

The movie's producers have put together an impressive package of resources, Carpenter said, so that "anyone can take the movie as a starting point and keep it going day by day."

"We all know that relationships and marriage are not a one-shot deal," he said. "It takes a constant focus and hard work on both people's parts to make it last long-term and a devotion to serving the God who desires only the best for His children."

Lori Dockrey, youth and children's minister at First Baptist Church in Colorado City, said her church won't be supporting "Fireproof" at that scale just yet.

But her congregation is planning a group of adults to see the movie in Abilene tonight since there isn't a football game in town.

"We probably have 10 couples or so who are going to go," said Dockrey, who coordinated the event. "The youths are going to baby-sit their kids here at the church."

The movie, the third by Sherwood Pictures and its second theatrical release, follows up "Facing the Giants," a popular Christian film from 2006 that earned $10.1 million at the box office and sold more than 1.6 million DVDs in 58 countries and 14 languages.

The films are a ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. Volunteers from the church have helped make its films a reality.

Dockrey said the church bought a license to exhibit "Facing the Giants," and study materials associated with that film.

"We thought it would be great for adults to go see a movie with a positive, uplifting message about marriage," she said. "You don't see that coming out of Hollywood very much."

That's why when such movies do appear, the church feels the need to support them, she said.

"That's why we jumped on board with 'Facing the Giants,' and that's why we're trying to jump on board with this one," Dockrey said.

Bible studies also accompany the current film, and pastors are encouraged to offer sermons on "fireproofing" one's marriage, she said.

Charles Marler, an Abilene Christian University professor emeritus who teaches a class on religion in media, said the trend of films such as "Fireproof" is fairly new.

"I think it's a reaction to people's feelings that Hollywood and TV is out of control and not listening to them," he said.

There will always be money in action-oriented and fantasy-themed fare, but there is a niche for films like "Fireproof" and "Facing the Giants," he said.

Marler said students in his classes believe that there is a general desire presently to want culture to reflect a more value-rich, moral theme that's not necessarily tied to religion.

And the present economy might also drive a thirst for strong, moral tales, he said.

"When people start hurting in the pocketbook, they look for some satisfaction," he said. "They find it in spirituality and morality and ethics."

But in a way, films like "Fireproof" are sort of preaching to the choir.

"There's the stress between what part of culture do you want to impact," he said. "Do you want to impact those who already want what you want, or do you want to reach out into the mainstream and influence other people."

This approach is something Marler said he was sure "somebody will experiment with."

Carpenter, a fan of Sherwood's films, said he has been "blessed" by all three movies.

"The story line was totally believable and well-written. The acting was top-notch, and the message was very clear: Every couple needs to have a God focus first in their life in order to have success," Carpenter wrote in an e-mail, expressing his love of "Fireproof."

"After that, a servant heart and a desire to put their spouse/mate immediately after God is paramount," he said.