Last Saturday, about 200 members of the nondenominational Manna Church took to the streets of Colorado Springs. They were scattered in location but united in mission: hand out calling cards to people with the times and locations of the church’s three Easter Sunday services.

At Bear Creek Dog Park on the city’s westside, the card was stapled to a small bag that held free dog biscuits for pups enjoying an unfettered springtime romp.

Public outreach happens monthly to a mixed reception, said the Rev. Joe Adams, lead pastor of Manna, part of a network of churches that originated in North Carolina and now are spread out but always planted near military installations.

“There are people who are very skeptical; they’re not used to people giving away things for free, they’re used to being asked for something,” he said. “We communicate we want something for you. We want people to experience the greatest thing there is, which is Jesus. We’re trying to demonstrate the love of Jesus with no strings attached.”

The doubt gets cast aside though during this month’s evangelism; attendance at Manna’s Sunday services that are held inside Harrison High School typically doubles on Easter.

“Easter is still the largest attendance Sunday of the year for us,” he said. ”We’re a little over 1,000 on Sunday mornings right now; we could see 2,000 or more on Easter.”

Every year as Easter approaches, Christian churches step up their goal of multiplying the loaves and fishes. They advertise Holy Week services in newspapers and on television and social media. They hang large signs on their buildings, prepare for special outdoor worship events and pass out personal invitations to strangers they hope become friends.

St. Luke Lutheran Church has been running a radio ad, said the Rev. Melinda Jones, presiding minister.

“It’s a great opportunity,” she said. “People who have been away for a while actually come back to remember what their faith is about, which is clearly expressed on Easter Sunday, where we believe in the risen Lord.”

The surge in worshippers that many churches experience is not uncommon, said the Rev. Kelly Williams, senior pastor of Vanguard Church, a Southern Baptist Convention affiliate with locations in Colorado Springs and Monument.

“Many churches see roughly a doubling of their attendance for the Easter weekend, some see more, some see a little less, but most, if not all, see an increase,” he said.

Vanguard also delivers personal invitations leading up to Holy Week, Williams said.

“Personal invite is by far the most effective way for people to show up to your church at Easter or any time for that matter,” he said. “I have heard that roughly 87% of all people who attend somewhere for the first time is due to a personal invite by someone.”

Christianity’s most holy day commemorating the resurrection of the recognized savior, Jesus Christ, continues to be the most lucrative opportunity for bringing back those who have disengaged from practicing their faith as well as new faces, pastors say.

“Easter is just a nice time to begin anew and get answers to questions people might have,” said Jones of St. Luke’s, at 5265 N. Union Blvd.

“Anybody, whatever Christian tradition you are, if you’ve fallen away, oftentimes you realize you’re back home when come to church,” she said.

Easter marks “the day Jesus kept his promises that he lives, and he would return,” Jones said.

“We’re reminded that because he lives we also live,” she said.

It’s a message that has power, Adams of Manna said. Because while getting dressed up in a new Easter outfit and sitting at church as a family has been a longtime tradition across Christian denominations, the resurrection recognizes what many believe to be “the most significant moment in human history,” Adams said.

He refers to a biblical verse in 1 Corinthians, which says if Christ isn’t raised from the dead, there is no Christianity, and preaching is in vain.

“That changes everything; it means he is he son of God, the sacrifice he made for our sins is accepted, and we can have eternal life,” Adams said.

Like the season of Spring, Easter underscores a time of renewal and hope, said Williams of Vanguard Church, at 3950 N. Academy Blvd.

“Easter is about the good news, and everyone needs some good news,” he said. “The world has gotten a lot darker in the last four years since the COVID pandemic. So many people have found themselves perpetually isolated, discouraged and defeated in their relationships.

“Jesus has come to give us light, peace, freedom, joy and hope forevermore.”

Vanguard approaches worshippers with the mantra that the church, like Jesus, is a friend of sinners, Williams said.

“It is so important that every person knows that Jesus died for their sins,” he said. “They don’t have to live in the shame, isolation and darkness that their sin has caused their lives and others.”

But he realizes that not everyone is ready for a heavy-duty worship service, which is why his church’s Easter-week activities include a Easter egg hunt for children.

“We want families to experience the joy that comes from knowing Jesus and being around those who do,” Williams said. “We want kids to have fun at church and know that they matter to God.”

A photo booth is a special Easter Sunday feature at Manna Church.

“A lot of families are together on that day, and this gives them an opportunity to take an Easter photo to keep or post online,” Adams said.

The backdrop of the sun rising over the hills that surround the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park near Cañon City presents a natural appeal for the annual Easter sunrise service for anyone from faithful attendees to the curious, said Pastor Grant Adkisson of the Canyon Cowboy Church.

He again will lead this year’s service, which starts at 6:30 a.m. Sunday with music, prayer and his sermon titled, “Not Guilty.”

“Many say my grandad brought my dad, and my dad brought me, and I’m bringing my kids,” Adkisson said.

“Some have never been before, some say it’s the only time of year they go to church, and some have regular places of worship but they like the sunrise service,” he said.

With mild weather forecast for Sunday, Adkisson expects at least 500 worshippers to line the south rim of the gorge and lift their voices and hands in praise.

“This is not a denominational or dogma thing; it’s a celebration in a great place, and some people decide to embrace a relationship with a living savior who rose from the grave,” Adkisson said.

The anticipated Easter attendance boost usually isn’t a one-and-done for churches. Last Easter, Manna saw 137 people “make a decision to begin a relationship with Jesus on that one Sunday,” Adams said.

Adkisson prefers to call Easter “Resurrection Day.”

“It makes people think about that when you say it that way,” he said. “It’s a celebration that sets us apart from other religions and what separates Easter from the bunnies and egg hunts.”