6 Halloween Ministry Ideas

I posted these ideas just after Halloween last year.  I am sharing them again, as Halloween is approaching for this year.  Have you considered a Halloween ministry?

Yes, Halloween is over, and we are into the thankfulness of November. But, after reading many blog posts about Halloween and talking to other Christians about this controversial day, I wanted to write one more post to summarize some of the ways that Christians are using Halloween as an opportunity for ministry in their communities and churches.  However,  I would first like to say that it is totally OK to do nothing special on this day. If that is your conviction before God and with your family; if you would rather avoid the day because of negative connotations and worldly practices, go right ahead! Nothing compels you to participate in any special activities during this time. But, for those who see this season as an opportunity to reach out, here are 6 suggestions for Halloween ministry:

1. Reverse trick or treat

When my children were younger and we homeschooled, our homeschool group would do a reverse trick or treat every year at a nursing home in town. We planned a date with the activities coordinator of the nursing home. All the children (and most of the parents) dressed in non-scary, non-evil, but very cute costumes. The activities coordinator of the nursing home helped some of the residents dress up, too. A silly hat, a clown wig, or a cape draped around the participants went a long way toward helping them have a fun day. We played games with them (they loved bingo) and our cute, costumed kids would hand out the prizes to the winners. We brought cookies, snacks and punch for after the games. While the parents were serving the drinks, the children (who had each brought a bag of candy from home) went to each resident to put candy in their trick or treat bags. The residents were thrilled!  While they loved the gift of the treat bag, they especially enjoyed seeing the costumed children, getting a smile or hug, and reminiscing.

If you would like to plan this with a group of children from your church or homeschool group, make sure that you contact the activities coordinator of the nursing home. They can suggest the best snacks and candies to bring, and how many people will need sugar free, no nuts, easy to chew, or other special treats.  Many of the residents loved bags of microwave popcorn, unpopped, for a gift.  You can also add small puzzle books (like word search), Christian gospel tracts, and small stuffed animals as non-food treats.

2. Remember the martyrs

When I was researching online for my recent post Is Halloween the devil’s day?, I found that the original “All Hallows Day” or “All Saints Day” was a Christian holiday to remember the martyrs of the church. Why not bring back this aspect of October 31/ November 1 and take time to learn with your family about some historic and current martyrs for the faith. The complete text of Foxe’s Book of Martyrs can be read here, to learn about martyrs from history.  Furthermore, Christians are currently being martyred around the world, and someday we may also be called to such a fate. We need to be in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are currently facing threats of martyrdom.  The Voice of the Martyrs  has information about Christian martyrs all over the world.

3.  Launch a full scale outreach from your home

I read this article, God, Frankensteins, and More, by Jimmy Needham and was quite inspired by his desire to take the gospel to the many who were coming to his home each Halloween.  I LOVED the prayer room!

4.  Share Candy and the Gospel, simply

I enjoyed this sweet story of a Grandma and Grand-daughter together handing out tracts and treats on Halloween – Hallowed Halloween.  Let your children be the “givers” not the “getters” at trick or treat.

5.  Donate to Missions

I was amazed to learn  this year that holiday retail spending for Halloween is second only to that for Christmas!  According to this TIME article Americans were set to spend almost 7 billion this year on Halloween!!!  That’s astounding, really!  So, maybe your family would rather add up all the money that you would have spent on candy, costumes, pumpkins, and decorations and make a nice donation to your favorite missionary or orphanage.  Or, you can read about my favorite orphanage, and donate to them.

6.  Plan a Trunk or Treat

Many churches have trunk or treat Halloween activities to provide a safe, fun, non-evil substitute for trick or treating/ Halloween.  These can also be a means to reach your community with the gospel.  For a nice article on how to plan an event like this at your church, see this post at Ministry to children.

Lastly, I like to keep Halloween in perspective.  Karen Woodall at Switchbacks.org does a nice job reminding us that there are things we should consider Scarier than Halloween.

Please comment about other ideas you have for Halloween ministry!

With Joy,

Kathleen