The coronavirus pandemic has forced places of worship to come up with alternative ways to serve their congregations. Because of government recommendations, most services have been canceled or at the very least, live-streamed to the masses.

But Newville Assembly of God Pastor Jeffrey Kettering and Cumberland Drive-In owner Jay Mowery had a different idea.

"When it comes to drastic situations, you have to think outside the box, Kettering said.

So when Mowery contacted the pastor about hosting Sunday service at his drive-in, Kettering was all in.

“We wanted to comply with the Governor’s request on gatherings, but we realize that some people are not connected to the Internet," Mowery said.

"Many of our churches have live streaming apparatus, but others are not capable of doing that. Monday, I received a call from Jay Mowry and we have been flying by the seat of our pants since”.

Kettering got together with Christian Life Community Church and Newville community churches and decided to host the first Church at the Drive-In.

Mowry provided the space and showed the church’s sound man how to hook up to the drive-in’s sound system so worshippers could listen to the service on their car radios. Vehicles flowed in, filling most of the paved spots in the lot. Church parishioners serving as parking attendants tried counting as the cars rolled in and estimated around 300 vehicles came through.

“I was just trying to fill a void for people," Mowry said. "We are a community of faith in this little area. It was a testament to our community that this many people came out.

"I told Jeff that if we got 50 cars I think it would be fantastic, but when there were 200-some cars, most of them don’t come alone, so there might have been 600 to 800 people here”.

Kettering estimates his average attendance for a Sunday service is about 150, so 600 to 800 is quite a leap.

“We are overwhelmed and it’s exciting. It was the family of God getting together”.

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