Drive-in special services introduced by Bengaluru church amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Bethel AG Church International Worship Centre located at Hebbal in Bengaluru has recently launched a new initiative of organising a Sunday "drive-in service for worship" which will be in operation from June 14, this Sunday. This service will be started with the aim of addressing issues related to the coronavirus induced social distancing practices and to ensure safety and hygiene among the citizens.

This drive-in service will enable the parishioners to attend all the worship activities in their cars comfortably despite the worship centres being opened. Earlier, for more than two months, the churches have been conducting online services and live streamings with around 10,000 churchgoers actively participating in prayers and other rituals.

Reverend Johnson V, the pastor in- charge of Bethel AG Church International Worship Centre spoke about the new service they are planning to launch. "For the past 12 weeks, we have been streaming daily devotions and our Sunday services live through our website and social media handles like YouTube and Facebook with great success. However, we as a community have been yearning to meet up and worship together," he said.

Officially known as 'Worship on Wheels,' the Hebbal Church is planning to involve cars along with two-wheeler motorbikes or cycles in a plot measuring about three acres that have been obtained by them recently, known as Temple of God.

The church took possession of the plot in December 2019 which is 200 metres far from the present building of the church at Hebbel. The plot was originally acquired to construct a much bigger church complex to involve more parishioners as the number was increasing.

"The WOW service is the first of its kind in India and the church is making arrangements to ensure it is 100% contactless. Amid the ongoing pandemic, it has emerged as a solution to facilitate a community gathering that aligns with the concept of the new normal," stated Johnson.

"There will be no seating facility other than churchgoers' vehicles. Common 'touch' points like toilets, canteens and resource centres will not be accessible. Multiple LED screens and sound systems will be installed to cater to the gathering," he added.

Johnson also mentioned that they have obtained all the necessary permissions that are needed to start the service and also ensured to follow all the safety instructions and guidelines provided by the government. He said that this Worship on Wheels service will bring all of the worshipers together while maintaining social distancing.
Six services have been planned to be conducted on Sunday, with two each to be conducted for those travelling on motorbikes, cycles and cars while the other two will be held in the interiors of the church for the worshipers coming in by local transport or walking in.

People coming in on bikes can avail the services at 7 a.m and 5 pm while parishioners driving in on cars can get the services at 9 am and lastly, the services will be held at 11 am and 1 pm for the people walking in.