Tiffin church to host 'drive-in' Easter services

Old and new ideas will come together for some worshippers this Sunday as a Tiffin church offers a creative solution to hosting services amid today's social distancing measures. Tiffin Journey Church, located at 2531 S. SR 100, will host two "drive-in" Easter services Sunday, at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. People are invited to park in the lot behind the church and remain in their vehicles while they listen to a sermon and worship music broadcasted via sound system from under the portico at the back of the church. The sermon will be led by brand-new Lead Pastor Brent Nussbaum — and the drive-in services will be his first services with Journey Church. "It's a pretty different situation, but I'm really excited," Nussbaum said. "People need a sense of community right now, and we want to provide that while still keeping everyone safe." "God planned this path for me long before I knew about it, so I'm happy to be called to Tiffin," he said. Members of Tiffin Journey Church have been gathering online through Zoom the past few weeks, Nussbaum said, but Sunday's drive-in services will be a first. "We invite everyone to join us for either of our services and experience hope in this time of uncertainty," he said. Nussbaum said attendants will block off every other space in the parking lot so that each car will sit at least one parking space apart, in order to promote proper social distancing technique. "We expect people might want to bring lawn chairs and sit by their cars, too, which they can do safely since they should all be spaced at least six feet apart," he said. He also said the reason Journey Church is holding two services Sunday is because they might hit their limit of 35 cars for the 10 a.m. service. If this happens, anyone who arrives after the 35th car will be asked to come back for the second service at 11:30 a.m. "One of our members also will be bringing masks for people to wear during the service and then take home and use through the next week, if they like," he said. Nussbaum, who is originally from Dayton, said he found the idea for a drive-in service through a church advisor he follows on Facebook. "I just thought it was a really good idea, to try and get people together and still following social distancing rules," he said. "And I've heard other churches in Tiffin are going to do similar things for Easter as well, which is great." Tiffin Journey Church is associated with the Christian Missionary Alliance. Visit www.tiffinjourney.com for more information, or contact Lead Pastor Brent Nussbaum by email at bnussbaum@tiffinjourney.com or by phone at (419) 447-9518.