Church outdoors? One San Jose pastor says it spreads the word

Editor’s Note: This article was written for Mosaic, an independent journalism training program for high school students who report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.

On the Sunday after in-person church services in California shut down because of the pandemic, Steven Rodriguez stood behind his pulpit in a suit and tie and preached to about 100 empty seats for a prerecorded online sermon.

“It just felt hollow,” said Rodriguez, pastor of The Family Church in San Jose.