Halloween is a controversial topic, as I wrote about last year. Some Christians celebrate it, and others choose not to celebrate it. Many churches have a fall festival, trunk-or-treat, or similar event as an outreach opportunity and as an alternative to trick-or-treating.
But it’s almost impossible to completely avoid Halloween. Even if you personally decide not to trick-or-treat, Halloween decorations, candy, and costumes will still exist. “Spooky” and even evil aspects of Halloween, like witches, ghosts, and graves, will still be celebrated.
However, here are a few ideas to turn an often spooky holiday into a great ministry opportunity:
- Help out at your church’s fall festival, trunk-or-treat, or other similar event. If your church doesn’t have one of these activities, find another local church to serve at. You don’t need to have kids to help with these events. Just bring yourself and a smile—and lots of candy.
- Pray for each child and parent who comes to your house to trick-or-treat. Everyone, no matter how young or old, needs Jesus Christ. This is the perfect time to pray for them. You can even ask the parents and their kids if they have any specific prayer requests.
- Serve hot chocolate and cookies (or another snack) outside your house on Halloween. This might be a fun substitute (or addition) to the typical tiny candy bars. Serving snacks is also an awesome conversation starter so you can meet people in your neighborhood and get to know them.
- Keep a stack of relevant tracts or verse cards next to the candy at your house. Of course, it’s not necessary to force tracts or verse cards onto trick-or-treaters or their parents. However, by offering them to kids and adults—or by simply leaving them beside the candy bowl—they have the opportunity to read and experience God’s Word.
This verse from Paul’s letter to the Colossians is a great reminder that relates to the ideas above:
Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. (Colossians 4:5 NASB)
On Halloween, we have the chance to interact with lots of unsaved kids and parents. Of course, I don’t want you to ignore the convictions you have about Halloween that the Holy Spirit has placed on your heart. But, if you feel led by the Holy Spirit, try using Halloween as a ministry opportunity. On this night, we have the chance to bless others and be a light to them.
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