Hundreds gather for Easter Sunday sunrise service

It is Easter Sunday and people across the globe are celebrating this morning with egg hunts and church services.

In Southwest Florida, thousands are expected to gather for a sunrise service on Sanibel Island. Around 1,000 people are expected to attend the service. The purpose is to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“We do it because it’s a great location,” said Doug Hummer, associate pastor of Sanibel Community Church. “We’re right close to the water so at the end of this service we invite people into the waters also. It’s a nice location also because it’s right in between Fort Myers and Sanibel so we invite people from both sides.”

Service just began a couple of minutes ago. The message this year is hope, peace and new life. It is something Sanibel Church said is meaningful on this day.

If you are unable to make it over to the causeway this early, the church will also hold a 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. service at its main campus on Periwinkle Way.