Technology helps churches spread faith during COVID-19 pandemic

OLYMPIA, Wash. — In-person church services have been canceled because of the coronavirus, but local pastors said the challenge isn’t slowing them down.

"I really believe that it's times like this that people are looking for something bigger to believe in and it's times like this where people are wanting to run their local church or their local place of faith,” said Diane Rice, Capital Christian Center creative arts pastor.

Although physically that's not possible right now, spiritually, Capital Christian Center members always within reach.

"We’re going to keep preaching the gospel because it’s needed now more than ever,” said Pastor Dave Minton of Capital Christian Center.

They're hosting Facebook devotionals daily, sharing lessons for kids and encouraging people to home church by livestreaming service.

Rice said more people are connecting online than ever before.

"Prior to COVID-19, we averaged about 1,200 online viewers a week. We're currently running at about 20,000 to 25,000 viewers a week,” she said.

Church members are available for prayer, companionship and counseling through Zoom, phone calls and text messages. They're also collecting donations, handing out food at hospitals and hosting drives to distribute diapers and wipes.

“Whatever way we can just remind people that they’re seen and they’re loved, we want to go out of our way to do that,” said Rice.

Times may be challenging, but at Capital Christian Center they're treating our state's stay at home order as an opportunity.

"We are not backing down or slowing down, we’re aggressively taking the gospel out,” said Pastor Minton.

Capital Christian Center is reaching out to the governor’s office to see what options are available for Easter. They plan to broadcast all their services on their website.

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