Four local churches hosting nondenominational drive-in worship service Easter Sunday

PALMER— Lazy Mountain Bible Church and along with three other local churches are hosting a very special service Easter Sunday. The public is invited to take a break from quarantine for a live, drive-in worship service at the Alaska State Fairgrounds.

This is an unprecedented feat for the local faith community and a reflection of the current need to break up the isolation, according to Gary Feaster of the Lazy Mountain Bible Church. He said it’s all about bringing a “message of hope” to the community.

“It’s gonna be the brightest event in the Valley for 2020. I guarantee it,” Feaster said.

Feaster said the Creekside Church, Radiant Church, and Palmer Church of God are all working together to help people experience the closest thing to in-person church since the whole COVID-19 outbreak started shutting down public gatherings.

Come Sunday morning, anyone who wishes to participate in the Easter service can bring their family, as long as they’re not ill or potentially exposed. If it’s safe to come out, it’s really going to be the more the merrier in Palmer, according to Feaster.

Feaster said that he’s expecting about a thousand vehicles to show up. He said the overall feedback and hype for this unique endeavor has been very positive and it’s looking to be a very meaningful experience.

“It’s for everybody,” Feaster said.

Participants will utilize the fairground’s red parking area, able to hear the sermon on their car radios. Front and center will be a large stage with pastors preaching the good word for all to hear safely inside their vehicles with plenty of distance between each other.

Feaster said this a “BYOB, bring your own binoculars” event. He said the earlier you show up to park, the less you’ll find yourself needing a pair to see. Regardless of the parking position, all attendees will be able to hear the sermon thanks to Classic Country 100.9 FM.

The live broadcast service will take about an hour and begins at 11 a.m. Easter morning.

“At least people can drive up and wave to each other,” Feaster said.

On top of the live sermon, churchgoers will have the chance to hear live gospel music once again. Feaster said enough time has gone by where most people are fairly anxious to leave their homes for a bit and feel like a community again.

“I think the timing is just right,” Feaster said. “I just hope that people come out and have a good time.”

Feaster is excited to help make this special event happen with the blessing and encouragement from Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum. He said the coalition of numerous groups, churches, and businesses coming together was inspirational.

“All of them have just been phenomenal,” Feaster said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com