Athens Church was planted in Columbus, Indiana, with a clear mission: to see a people, city, and world awakened to the glory of God. However, in the spring of 2021, as most churches were beginning to resume in-person gatherings, Athens Church faced a unique setback. Their usual meeting place was on school grounds, where pandemic-related restrictions still prohibited large gatherings. Though they eventually found an alternative location, the shift created instability and a sense of disconnection within the congregation.

As Easter approached, Athens’ leadership recognized that they had an opportunity to use the season as a catalyst to reconnect their community. They wanted to make Easter more than just a Sunday service—they wanted it to be an experience that would unify the church, even if some members remained at home. Their goal was to create an Easter season that was not only memorable but also deeply meaningful, regardless of how people participated. Athens knew they needed a creative approach from Amenable—something that would make Easter feel like more than just a single day on the calendar. They wanted to engage people in a journey that would prepare their hearts and minds for the resurrection story.

At Amenable, we knew that a creative and well-organized plan would be essential to achieving Athens’ goals. We kicked off the project by meeting with the Athens leadership team to understand the church’s history, culture, and current challenges. Through these conversations, we identified a core issue: the change in location and the ongoing hybrid model (with some members attending in person and others participating online) had created a sense of fragmentation. Easter presented a perfect opportunity to rebuild that sense of connection.

While gathering this information, we learned that Athens Church had not traditionally observed Lent or Holy Week in a structured way. This presented a strategic opportunity to create a more holistic Easter experience—one that would prepare hearts and minds for the celebration of Easter Sunday. We proposed a plan that would guide the congregation through the entire Easter season, beginning with Lent and culminating in the joy of Resurrection Sunday.

• Unified design theme: To ensure the Easter content felt cohesive and meaningful, we created a distinctive design that was aligned with Athens’ overall brand identity. We used a gradient color palette paired with a classic serif typeface in black and white. The goal was to create a visual experience that felt established, stable, and trustworthy—something that would remind people of Scripture and the timeless significance of Easter.

• Family-friendly engagement: We knew that involving families would deepen the impact of the Easter journey. To make the experience accessible to all ages, we partnered with the Athens Kids team to develop a corresponding children’s reading plan. Each day's theme was paired with a coloring page, helping kids engage with the Easter story in an age-appropriate way.

• Daily content for a holistic Easter experience: To keep people engaged throughout the Easter season, we created a Bible reading plan that spanned from Lent through Good Friday. Congregants received daily content through email, social media, and the church app. Each day’s content was designed to encourage reflection and foster a sense of shared experience, even among those who weren’t attending in person.

•  Interactive Planning App experience: We customized the church’s Planning App experience to fully immerse the congregation in the Easter journey. The app provided a central place where people could access daily content, Scripture readings, and interactive elements. This helped reinforce the sense that everyone was walking through the Easter season together, even if they were physically apart.

By leaning into the unexpected challenges of Easter 2021 rather than avoiding them, Athens Church was able to create a meaningful and unifying Easter experience. The strategic Easter marketing ideas that our team implemented helped Athens not only increase engagement but also deepen spiritual reflection within the congregation.

Church members reported feeling more connected to one another, even if they weren’t gathering in the same physical space. The daily content, combined with the visual consistency and family-friendly materials, created a sense of anticipation and shared purpose leading up to Easter Sunday.

Athens’ leadership also found that the intentional focus on Lent and Holy Week added a new level of depth to their Easter celebration. By guiding the congregation through the emotional and spiritual journey of Easter, Athens was able to help their people experience the resurrection story in a new and personal way.

Athens Church’s experience is a reminder that Easter marketing ideas are more than just a tool to promote an event—they’re an opportunity to create meaningful spiritual encounters. When churches approach Easter with a strategic plan, they can transform the season into a powerful time of connection and growth. If your church is looking for fresh Easter marketing ideas to make the season more engaging and impactful, Amenable is here to help.