Have you ever thought about the incredible opportunity we as Christians have to witness on Halloween? Think about it, you don’t even have to leave your house to reach people with the gospel! So why do so many Christians shun this holiday instead of taking advantage of an opportunity to tell people about Jesus?
On Sunday, my pastor announced that our church will not be having an alternative Harvest Celebration this year. But rather, they are encouraging church members to spend time with their neighbors. What a concept! Spend time with your neighbors on Halloween? Personally, I think this is a great idea. This is one holiday where it is considered acceptable to go knock on your neighbor’s door and to engage with the people you live by. So many of us don’t even know our neighbors these days! Talk about taking a holiday that promotes evil and turning it into something that is good. Really good!
Luke McFadden has recently developed an idea book with outreach ideas you can use to engage your community on Halloween. You can download a sample copy here. In it Luke writes,
Let’s cultivate relationships with the unbelieving as part of an ongoing process in which we plainly identify with Jesus, get to know them well, and personally speak the good news of our Savior into their lives!
Check out some of Luke’s Halloween outreach ideas and think about how you could implement them in your own neighborhood. Here are just a few to get your brain juices flowing:
- Put up a hospitality table in your front yard or driveway where you provide hot drinks or some store bought cookies.
- Pick a carnival game to allow kids to play in order to win their candy.
- Make yourself comfortable outside instead of staying indoors to create a welcoming approach that will foster conversations.
Let’s make the most of this Fall season and turn traditions into opportunities to share the love of Jesus. And I just couldn’t help but add a few of my own suggestions for using Halloween as a tool to reach your community for Christ:
- Purchase some large candy bars (don’t skimp on the small bars) and wrap them in Bible verses or messages of how Jesus loves people. Also put your e-mail and house address on the candy if they would like to talk more about what they read.
- Create a fun question and answer interaction with the kids asking them Bible trivia or questions about creation before rewarding them with some candy.
- Ask the kids something they are thankful for before rewarding them with candy. Make it fun!
- Dress up and meet everyone at your door with a SMILE!
- Avoid the 10 Ridiculous ways NOT to share your faith this Halloween.
Check out Luke’s video and find out more about Luke and his ideas at www.LukeMcFadden.com
