WARREN — Pastor James Tyson and Linda Tyson said they were surprised at the welcome they received returning to the Greater Apostolic Faith Church in Warren they had previously served 27 years ago.

James Tyson was asked to return to the church to once again serve as its pastor and Linda Tyson as the first lady.

Church members say God has brought them full circle in returning the couple to the Greater Apostolic Faith Church.

Because of the coronavirus outbreak and the need for social distancing, the first service for the Tysons was held May 3 in the parking lot with congregation members decorating their cars to welcome them back.

The service was called “Praise on the Parking Lot.”

“We can do this all summer if we need to. This is a special service that took a lot of work,” said James Tyson, who first served as the pastor from 1977 to 1993.

Congregation members honked their horns to welcome the Tysons and to show appreciation to the praise and worship music. For those who were unable to attend, the worship was streamed on the church’s Facebook page.

Tyson said he understands many people are stressed because of the coronavirus.

“We may struggle with fears, but God has given all of us the ability to get through this, and we will,” he said.

Tyson referred to the worship as “praise during the pandemic,” noting a germ is preventing congregations from worshiping inside their church buildings.

“Because of what has happened, we can’t worship inside this beautiful sanctuary and can’t do things as we usually do. This pandemic has gripped the world. Some of us will never be the same, but if you walk with God, things will be all right,” Tyson said.

The Tysons said they are proud to be back at the church.

“It is unbelievable and surreal to be able to come back. Never in a million years did we think we would come back to this church,” Tyson said.

After the Tysons left in 1993, they served the past 25 years in various ministries throughout the Indianapolis area.

Linda Tyson said, “The Lord had it in the making that we would be back here.”

The Tysons said a lot has changed in Warren and at the church. But some people who attended 27 years ago are still at the church.

“There are people here who were in their 20s and 30s before and now they are older. We are glad to see them again,” he said.

James Tyson said they plan for a lot of evangelism to help grow the church and reacquaint the two with the church congregation.

“This first year for us will be to galvanize and get adjusted,” he said.

After the Tysons left in 1993, Pastor Phillip W. Shealey took over in 1994. He retired in September 2019. The Tyson were called upon to return to the Warren church.

During the worship, a neighboring church congregation stopped to welcome the Tysons with a vehicle parade, during which it recognized its own pastor for Pastor Appreciation Day.