Canadian church celebrates Easter by hiring helicopter to drop 45,000 chocolate eggs

A Christian charity in Canada hired a helicopter this Easter which dropped 45,000 chocolate eggs to children waiting below.

#WeheartOttawa is the outreach arm of the Kingdom Culture church in Ottawa which puts on free events in the city.

 Ashley Fraser Photography/WeheartOttowa

Shawn Gabie and his wife Michelle, who are pastors at the church, booked the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum and rented a helicopter for a free family event on Saturday.

'In 10 days, just through social media, we had 5,500 people register online,' Shawn Gabie said.

'We had to shut down registration. We didn't expect that to happen. We thought we would have a couple thousand people show up, registering up until the last week. Everybody who comes will get an invite to our Easter service, which is the next day. Easter is a time where people who never come to church will come.'

More than 5,000 people attended the event.

Because We Heart Ottawa does not advertise that it is a church brand, they managed to recruit 15 different sponsors, according to the Christian website Spur Ottawa.

'I feel like this will shift paradigms of what church looks like and what other churches feel like they are capable of," said Matt Campbell, one of the organisers before the event. 'We will push the envelope of going big, going outside the idea of having a barbecue on the church grounds.'

The event did not have any overt 'gospel presentation', according to Spur Ottawa, and there was no mention of church on the event's website.

But Campbell said: 'Easter is a time where people who never come to church will come. If we can create life and expectation, it may inspire people to think about what they can do for their city. What can I do for the 2000 homeless people living in my city? What can I do to change the life of my boss?'

Every family attending received a welcome bag with coupons from the sponsors, the biggest of which was Kingdom Culture, and an invitation to go to church on Easter Day.

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
'Inappropriate' sex education remains pervasive across the West's classrooms
'Inappropriate' sex education remains pervasive across the West's classrooms

A lesson "intended to promote LGBTIQA+ inclusivity" allegedly featured incest and bestiality.

NHS urged to strengthen partnerships with churches and faith groups
NHS urged to strengthen partnerships with churches and faith groups

Stronger partnerships with faith communities could reduce pressure on NHS services, a report has found.

Who was the first Archbishop of Canterbury?
Who was the first Archbishop of Canterbury?

26 May is the day to remember St Augustine, who was the first Archbishop of Canterbury 1,400 years ago and who started a tradition that continues today. This is the story …

Pro-life grandmother Rose Docherty considering legal options to prevent future prosecution
Pro-life grandmother Rose Docherty considering legal options to prevent future prosecution

The Crown Office has decided not to appeal after a court cleared her of charges.