Kindness Evangelism: Halloween

Here’s an outreach for those who don’t like Halloween!

Everyone has choices to make when it comes to different holidays. Often, in the past, I tried to forget and avoid Halloween. Then, I moved into a neighborhood where families were up close and personal. Susan and I live in a 100-year-old home in a small Georgia town. We share fences with neighbors, swaps bakery creations with each other, cut each other’s lawns when needed, and walk across the street every week to share life.

You don’t have to live in an old home to make a difference during holidays. You just need to be where people are. This outreach is simple and not too costly (although I guess you could go all out with the budget!) It’s designed for a neighborhood outreach, but you can also move this to wherever parents gather so their kids to mop up on candy.

Here are the items needed:

• Candy (don’t splurge, but don’t get “cheapies” as that can speak the wrong message.)
• Toys (currently, “squishies” are popular; but so are glow sticks or bracelets, or crafty things kids can put together. For this outreach, we are giving away mini-play-dough’s)
• Hot dogs, condiments, buns, napkins, and a grill (mine is portable, propane, safe around people, and mustard and ketchup with chips are on the side.)
• Cards (these are to say who you are, pass along a Christian blessing or message, and/or invite them to church. Best to give these to parents and, by all means, strike up a spiritual question!)
• Costumes optional (however, if I find a literature character, I may think about it!)

Now that you’ve figured out how you’ll connect with your neighbors, decide what will say “stop here.” I’ll keep my decorations simple. Lights along the picket fence and pumpkins and scarecrows on the porch. No ghouls. No skeletons. Remember, we’re not in it for Halloween’s message; we’re in it for the Good News that Jesus has conquered darkness and death.

Things to remember:

• Check with your city or community to see if there is a listing of homes participating in candy giveaways and get on the list.
• Partner with your church. They may already have some ways to improve your plan.
• Get creative identifying your home as a safe and fun place to stop (balloons, lights, etc.)
• Have everything ready early before dusk as the little kids travel through first before it’s too dark.
• Gather your own crowd. Ask your community to help or your discipleship or small group to show up.
• Team up with other homes. Make it a block party with different kinds of giveaways and/or food at different homes. Pray before hand with others who love Jesus and live nearby.
• If you need to relocate, find a friend’s neighborhood or find a community event you can take the outreach to. Be sure to ask for permission first. The plan is to connect with families, encourage and lift up the kids, and shine Jesus’ light in the darkness.
• By all means, don’t judge. It may be difficult when your first “prince of darkness” costume crosses your yard. Laugh with them and love on them.

These events can often open doors for future conversations. But, be ready to share your story, point to Jesus, and pray for anyone who indicates a hunger for more than hot dogs!

As I said before, each one of us needs to decide how to respond to Halloween. I, for one, don’t celebrate the darkness but choose to be light that pushes back the darkness. This outreach can be a way to do just that!