Churches Embrace Drones, Skydiving Bunnies for Easter Celebrations

Innovative outreach efforts aim to bring communities together after pandemic disruptions.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:35pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A vibrant, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic Easter egg repeated in a tight grid pattern, rendered in a bold, neon color palette that transforms the everyday symbol into modern pop art.Churches are embracing innovative, tech-driven Easter celebrations to connect with younger generations and spread the message of hope.Cookeville Today

Churches across America are turning to creative Easter celebrations involving drone shows, skydiving bunnies, and helicopter egg drops in an effort to attract new attendees and bring their communities back together. These unconventional events are part of a broader trend of increased church attendance among younger generations like Gen Z and millennials, who have faced challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and are seeking spiritual connection.

Why it matters

As many churches have struggled with declining attendance in recent years, these innovative Easter celebrations represent an effort to engage younger generations and rebuild a sense of community. The use of technology, interactive experiences, and family-friendly activities aims to make churches more accessible and appealing to those who may not have grown up with traditional Easter services.

The details

Compass Church in Salinas, California, held a 'Great Helicopter Easter Egg Drop' featuring a skydiving bunny and 100,000 eggs. Similarly, Cultivate Church in Alabama hosted a 'Great Big Helicopter Easter Egg Drop.' On Good Friday, over 20 churches in Tennessee collaborated on an Easter drone show and fireworks display synchronized to a narration broadcast on a local radio station. These events were designed to bring people together, provide safe and joyful experiences for families, and ultimately share the message of the Gospel.

  • Last Saturday, Compass Church held its Easter egg drop event.
  • On Good Friday, churches in Tennessee held their drone show and fireworks display.

The players

Compass Church

A church in Salinas, California, that hosted a large-scale Easter egg drop event featuring a skydiving bunny.

Cultivate Church

A church in Alabama that held a helicopter Easter egg drop event.

The River Community Church

A church in Cookeville, Tennessee, that coordinated a coalition of over 20 local churches to put on an Easter drone show and fireworks display.

Steve Tiebout

The lead pastor of The River Community Church, who encouraged people to invite their unchurched friends to the drone show event.

T.K. Anderson

The pastor of Compass Church, who emphasized the church's goal of bringing the community together and sharing the message of the Gospel through their Easter celebration.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The Great Helicopter Easter Egg Drop is more than a celebration, it is our way of reaching out to our community with a message of hope in a world that often feels divided. In a time when we see so much separation and uncertainty around us, we believe there is one message powerful enough to bring people back together, the love of God revealed through Jesus Christ.”

— T.K. Anderson, Pastor, Compass Church

“Bring people that never go to church. This will be something they'll want to see, and then you can have those conversations afterward to share with them what Christ has done in your life.”

— Steve Tiebout, Lead Pastor, The River Community Church

What’s next

The churches involved in these Easter celebrations will likely continue to explore innovative ways to engage their communities and attract new attendees throughout the year, building on the momentum and connections made during their Easter outreach efforts.

The takeaway

These unconventional Easter celebrations demonstrate how churches are adapting to the changing preferences and needs of younger generations, using technology, interactive experiences, and family-friendly activities to make their message more accessible and appealing. By embracing creativity and community-building, these churches are finding new ways to share the hope of the Gospel and bring people together.