Churches Offer Drive-Thru Prayer Amid Coronavirus Shutdowns

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, congregations are no longer able to meet in person for large gatherings. Many churches have found a solution by offering drive-thru prayer – with one church planning a drive-in service with a jumbotron.

According to Troy Brewer, senior pastor of OpenDoor Church in Burleson, Texas, the circumstances may hinder their outreach globally but now is the time to focus on the local community. “We want to love people, bless people, and we want to pray,” Brewer said. “We want to be available to people and serve them.”

Fox News reported that other churches are doing similar outreach with drive-thru prayer. “In Dayton, Tenn., the congregation at Grace Bible Church will offer drive-in service on Sunday, complete with a jumbotron,” said the report.

The pastor at OpenDoor Church said that people can drive up to their church Wednesday night and three service times on Sunday. Church leadership will pray for, encourage, and bless them while they stay in their cars. According to Fox News, they also have the option of getting communion.

“If the body of Christ doesn't bring peace, unity, and the power of the Lord, I don't think anyone else is coming,” Brewer said. “This is a great opportunity for us to stand up and reach out to our own communities and make a tremendous difference.”

The church has also started a national prayer hotline with a prayer center (877-413-0888). Moreover, if people need food, help, or hospital visits, they are “mobilizing volunteers to help the elderly and the vulnerable so they don't have to leave,” reported Fox News.

“It's not so much outreach anymore as it is in reach,” the pastor said. “The whole church all over the world is being forced to change their methods.”