Drive-In Ministries began in the early 1950's by a young pastor in southern Michigan. While pastoring two churches at the same time in a resort community, he noticed that during the peak summer time when the resort was bustling with activity, church attendance in either congregation was affected very little. With a heart and a passion to see these vacationers get an opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus Christ, this young pastor procured permission to use a corn field and set up a platform for an outdoor drive-in service.

The basic concept of the ministry was born. It is simply, "Go to the people." Using dynamic speakers and live, quality music in a drive-in setting this concept provided a program that was appealing to people but it was not without it's unique problems.

It wasn't long until films were added to the program which gave it a whole new dynamic. Of course, in those days the films were in black and white and the acting was not the best. But films were discovered to draw more people to the program and communicate the gospel message in a more effective way.

Later a huge drive-in screen was built along with a glass enclosed platform

The ministry expanded to the Tampa Bay area of Florida in 1964 where the concept can operate all year long. Known as the Drive-In Cinema, this facility has a larger screen and a glass enclosed platform with a turntable floor for 10 second production scene changes. Unlike the Michigan Drive-In, the Drive-In Cinema uses the typical "in-the-car" speakers plus an F.M. transmitter so anyone can tune into the program on their own car radio or listen to the "in-the-car" speaker for that total Drive-In Experience.

The Drive-In concept worked so well in reaching people for Christ that a demand of more drive-in facilities be built. With a problem of high cost of land and construction, an idea germinated and grew and in 1973 Drive-In Ministries expanded by developing a mobile drive-in.

The first Mobile Drive-In was a large 18 wheel semi known as the Magnificent Movie Machine and was equiped with a movie screen, platform and living quarters for an entire family. The beauty of the Mobile Drive-In is that it could be set up in parking lots, corn fields, cow pastures, etc. crossing economic, cultural and language barriers.

With the new rulings and stiffer qualifications, future mobile units would have to be down sized. The Frito-Lay company decommissioned 5th wheel units that would be perfect for the expansion of Drive-In's mobile ministry and 1989 the Magic Movie Van went into service.
Since then, two others have been outfitted and are in service while another is almost ready for transport to the Ukraine and the country of Hungary and two more await customizing and equipping.
The 70's also brought a new branch of ministry to Drive-In Ministries and a way to facilitate outreach and discipleship through the Literature Division. A complete print shop makes it possible to supply all of the many literature needs of Drive-In and other like-minded churches and ministries as well in very cost effective manner.
Today, Drive-In Ministries provides a unique means for the local church through out the United States, Mexico and where ever God opens the door, to do like that young pastor did in 1950 - to reach a world just outside the church door.

For instance, the property was surrounded by swamps and the only lights in the area were those that were on the open platform. As you can imagine the bugs were thick. One speaker got up and began to deliver his oratory when suddenly a bug got caught in his throat. He began to choke and cough and hack! You could hear the people in their cars slapping their knees in laughter at the plight of this man. Finally, he took a big swallow and regained composure. He approached the microphone and said. "Well, at least I was scriptural...He was a stranger and I took him in."

Drive-In discovered that the concept works just as well on the water when in 1974 the Showboat yacht traveled the waters of the Great Lakes stopping off at pleasure ports and harbors using films and live programming to reach people for Christ. This was humorously referred to as our ministry to the "over-priveleged."
In 1978, the Grand Van was added to the Mobile fleet. A 42 foot bus with the capabilities of a Mobile Drive-In and its own stage and backdrop for fair and festival ministry. With the Grand Van, Drive-In Ministries broke new ground in 1983 by establishing mobile evangelistic crusades in Mexico.

Looking Back / The History of Drive-In Ministries