By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
FOREST HILL, La. (LBM)–Louisiana Baptist churches soon will reopen their doors, and Elwood Baptist Church in Forest Hill is among the congregations considering how to adapt, yet again.
Pastor Michael Evans told the Baptist Message that drive-in services have been so well received by his members and guests that these might continue, even when Sunday morning services resume in the worship center.
Elwood Baptist has averaged 50 vehicles at drive-in services, and has drawn an average of 100 views for the Facebook Live broadcast of worship services. The congregation averaged 125 in the pews on Sunday mornings in early March.
“Some can’t come in for various reasons, and may be reluctant to come inside a building with others at first,” Evans said. “Jesus said to go to highways and byways and compel them to come in. This alternative has been a great way to reach others in a new way.”
The church also has used other methods to maintain connection with its members and prospects. Elwood posts on its Facebook page a devotional every Tuesday and Friday evening, and utilizes a phone bank to send 60-second messages. The congregation also has formed caravans of 15-20 vehicles to pass by the homes of members unable to attend drive-in services.
“This has been the worst of times, but also the best of times,” Evans said. “It has rejuvenated the church. We have checked on each other at a time when a lot of people are scared. What we have been trying to do is stay in touch. It reminds me of the day when everyone check on everyone.”
Like Elwood Baptist, Western Hills Baptist Church in Shreveport plans to continue drive-in services, at least in the short-term, once the state lifts the restrictions against public gatherings. An average of 45 vehicles fill the parking lot on Sunday mornings, now, including about five vehicles from first-time guests. Before the coronavirus pandemic limited attendance, the church had averaged 70 in the worship center for Sunday services.
“The concept of drive-In church sparked a lot of curiosity as to how it would be, what it would look like,” Pastor Joey Ketchum said. “The opinions of it that I have received, is that people love it. The overwhelming support in attendance and giving has been awesome. Once this pandemic is over, we plan to host more services outside, and also keep an aspect of the drive-in service.”
For its part, First Baptist Church in Houma plans to continue using social media to connect with its members and prospects.
The church now averages 3,000 views each week on its Facebook Live services, a significant increase from the 1,200 who gathered in the worship center on Sundays in early March. Members also are using Zoom for Bible studies and other meetings.
Pastor Steve Folmar said his congregation plans to hold a high attendance Sunday once they are able to resume meeting inside the worship center.
“This has certainly been an unusual experience,” Folmar said. “We have tried to control what we could and allow God to control what we could not. I believe the one great positive that will come from this is that Christians will no longer take gathering with their brothers and sisters in Christ for granted.”