Bend church celebrates Easter Sunday with drive-in service

Creation Church hosts its first drive-in service in just 6 months of its operation

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The coronavirus pandemic led many churches to close their doors, with most churches in Central Oregon turning to virtual services. Creation Church in Bend offered a way for people to attend Easter Sunday service in person, while adhering to social distancing guidelines.

On Sunday, the church hosted a drive-in service outside of the Bend YMCA. The service was broadcast on the radio on 104.9 FM from 11 a.m. to noon.

Pastor Seth Waters said Creation Church is less than a year old, and hosting a drive-in service was something he never thought he'd have to do.

“The cool thing about it is we’re able to be innovative, we’re able to think outside the box," Waters said. "This is the first time I've been part of a drive-in church service.”

He said the circumstances regarding COVID-19 are what makes this year's Easter Sunday extra-special.

“I think there’s something significant, and it doesn't matter how you’re doing it, about people gathering together and coming together as a community and worshipping as a community," Waters said.

Kathryn Halley, a member of the church, attended the service in her car.

“It’s just exciting, it’s something new and it’s going to leave us with a memory that will never go away," Halley said. "We’re just hoping we can do this more, even if it isn’t a holiday, and have church outdoors."

Beverly Ophoff, also a regular member of the church, agreed. She said she had originally planned to spend Easter with an egg hunt with her grandchildren, but because of the restrictions due to COVID-19, those plans changed.

Ophoff still wanted to attend church on Easter, and she did not come to the service alone. She brought teddy bears in her car and said she also has bears lined up against her windows at home.

“Other states are doing this, where people put teddy bears in their windows, so when kids are driving by with parents who are crazed from staying indoors for so long, they look for the bears in the windows," Ophoff said. "So, I have them in my windows at home and windows in my car, so kids can have a smile, hopefully.”

She said even with so many changes happening because of the coronavirus, she wants people to stay positive and focus on the good instead of the bad.

"I’m 80 years old, and I'm saying God is better than he’s ever been, so I'm not worried about a thing," Ophoff said.

Car honks replaced "Amens" during the drive-in service, resonating loud and clear on the radio, representing unity and hope across Central Oregon.