The film has set box office records around the world

St Luke's Church in Maidstone, Kent, booked more than 3,000 tickets for the Mel Gibson film and gave them to people who did not usually go to church.

The church's director of worship Russ Hughes said Easter Sunday attendance figures had risen by about 10%.

He said he knew of people who had been coming to church since seeing the film.

If people are talking about Jesus rather than gay bishops then that's got to be a good thing Russ Hughes, director of worship at St Luke's Church

St Luke's spent about �15,000 from church funds on tickets for the film at Maidstone's Odeon cinema, block-booking the first nine showings.

It has also set up a stand outside the cinema with volunteers answering questions from on Christianity from people who have been to see the film, which opened in the UK on 26 March.

Mr Hughes said about 2,500 books addressing various questions had been distributed from the stand.

He told BBC News Online the hit film was "a gift" in terms of attracting people who "wouldn't be seen dead in church".

On Sunday he said: "Obviously it's Easter Sunday so you are going to get more people, but it has been especially busy.

"I've just been speaking to a couple who went to see the film two weeks ago and have been coming to church with their young son since then.

"All our people are saying that they hear friends talking about the film and talking about Jesus.

"If people are talking about Jesus rather than gay bishops then that's got to be a good thing."