The Bible, Saving Souls & The Big Screen

WASHINGTON - Jan. 31, 2014 - PRLog -- Imagine a 50-foot movie screen, comfortable chairs and cup holders!  Imagine walking through door #5 with a sign above reading The Legend of Hercules but as you enter the theatre, instead of watching the previews, you hear the soft melody of the choir singing, Great is Thy Faithfulness.  First Church Prince George’s County will launch two church services at 8:00 a.m. and 9:45 a.m., Sunday, February 16, 2014 at Regal Hyattsville Royale 14.  Additionally, First Church will launch live, too.  The livestreaming address is live.firstchurchwash.org. (mailto:live@firstchurchwash.org)

At first glance a church service in a movie theater may seem a little strange, but First Church Prince George’s County believes it is rather normal.  “We want attendees to capture the experience of a loving, growing, and serving environment filled with inspiration, relationship building, training and prayer,” says Pastor Ralph Martino.  The theatre setting is comfortable and non-threatening
for people who may be tentative to step inside a traditional church building.

Throughout the year First Church has accepted God’s mandate to continue to teach the Body of Christ – the steps in the Progression of A Disciple – as we become Kingdom Men, Women, Couples, Youth and Young Adults walking in kingdom authority.

First Church Prince George’s County's service will feature the choir singing and a succinct message about a relevant topic of today’s climate.  There will be series on family, relationships, marriage, and accountability.  “We want to infuse the community with the power of faith.  We want to inject hope in the veins of the community and influence it with love, joy, peace and forgiveness.  We want to inspire youth and young adults in the community by showing them a better way of living; and impact the community in deterring criminal behavior by instilling Godly character,” says Pastor Martino.  First Church Prince George’s County is Where Communities Become a Family.

In the Fall of 2013, First Church began to lay the groundwork for the move to Hyattsville.  While attending the movies with his family Pastor Martino observed a banner announcing a church service held in the theatre. He was led to pursue researching Regal Theatres as an option for Worship Services. Regal Theatre Church Group was contacted and God showed favor in opening the opportunity to hold services at the Hyattsville location.

The Evangelism Ministry has distributed 5,000 flyers designed as “movie tickets” in English and Spanish to residents in the community, personally inviting them to join us for this awesome experience.  Several businesses have demonstrated their support in welcoming First Church of Prince George’s County by making these “tickets” available in their place of business.

According to Pastor Martino, “First Church of  Prince George’s County’s goal is to infuse, inject, influence, inspire and impact the community with the life, love and liberty of the Lord Jesus Christ.’  Although targeted to the “Millennial” or Generation Y” Pastor Martino’s belief is that the theatre-style church is welcoming and embracing with a wide range of different age groups.

First Church meets Sundays at 8:00 a.m. and 9:45 p.m. at the Regal Hyattsville Royale 14 Theatre, 6505 America Boulevard, Hyattsville, MD  20782.