DETROIT (AP) — Some suburban Detroit churches are offering drive-in services to provide churchgoers a place to gather and worship in wake of coronavirus outbreak.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said places of worship will not be penalized if they congregate under the stay-at-home order, which took effect March 23, the Detroit Free Press reported.
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Triumph Church’s north campus in Southfield is allowing people to watch Pastor Solomon Kinloch’s sermons on a big screen in the church’s parking lot. Members can park and listen in through the radio during services on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday.
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“We wanted to ensure the voice of God could still be articulated out to the community and do it in a way that wasn’t irresponsible to the safety of our members and visiting friends,” Kinloch said. Triumph also has online services.
Attendees sing from their vehicles and raise their hands in worship if moved by something, Kinloch added. They even honk their horns together.
Zavia Ferguson, who attended a service with her family, said she was happy to hear she could still attend church.
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“Pastor Kinloch believes in us physically being in church and it’s awesome of him to still give us that same experience,” Ferguson said
All God’s People Church in Roseville also has a drive-in service on Sundays. Pastor W.J. Rideout III, who preaches into a microphone, said his services operate by the five Ds: Drive-in, drive-up, drive-by, deliverance and drive-out.
“The turnout for us has been very fruitful,” Rideout noted. “It has been going so well that we took in nine new members on Sunday and eight three weeks ago. The people love it because they don’t have to worry about how they are dressed or touch anyone. They get to enjoy church as if we were inside.”