Drone show caps off DNOW weekend at Athens church

First Baptist Church's annual youth event featured a high-tech light display over downtown.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:53am

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph of glowing drone lights floating in a hazy, out-of-focus nighttime cityscape, conceptually representing the wonder and energy of a community celebration.A high-tech light display from synchronized drones capped off a spirit-filled DNOW youth weekend at First Baptist Church in Athens.Athens Today

A drone light show over downtown Athens, Georgia marked the end of First Baptist Church's annual DNOW youth event weekend. The display of synchronized drones lit up the night sky, providing a high-tech conclusion to the church's three-day spiritual retreat for local teenagers.

Why it matters

DNOW weekends are a popular tradition at many Southern Baptist churches, bringing youth groups together for worship, fellowship, and community service. The drone show added a modern, tech-savvy element to the longstanding event, potentially appealing to a younger generation of churchgoers.

The details

The drone display featured over 100 unmanned aerial vehicles choreographed to create various shapes and patterns in the sky above downtown Athens. The light show lasted approximately 20 minutes and was visible from multiple vantage points around the city center.

  • The drone display took place on the evening of April 11, 2026.
  • DNOW weekend at First Baptist Church ran from April 9-11, 2026.

The players

First Baptist Church

A prominent Southern Baptist congregation located in downtown Athens, Georgia that has hosted an annual DNOW youth event for over a decade.

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What they’re saying

“The drone show was an incredible way to cap off an amazing DNOW weekend. Our youth were blown away by the display.”

— Pastor Michael Simmons, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church

What’s next

First Baptist Church plans to continue the DNOW tradition next spring, though it's unclear if another drone show is in the works for the 2027 event.

The takeaway

By incorporating innovative technology like a drone light show, First Baptist Church demonstrated its ability to connect with younger generations and provide an engaging, high-energy experience for its annual DNOW youth retreat.