Halloween outreach tips for connecting with community

By Chip Warren
Albertville, Ala.

For a number of years, my family and I were involved in our church’s fall carnival and were not home for the large number of kids that came through our neighborhood on Halloween.

Now we are delighted to see so many kids and families ringing our doorbell. We love this new opportunity and are having a blast.

I urge churches to encourage some of their members to stay home and participate in trick or treat at their own front doors. Here are two suggestions to consider:

• In addition to a generous amount of treats, include a kid-friendly and season-appropriate gospel tract or Christian music CD. These are available for a dollar or two for your favorite suppliers. Bible storybooks or Bible coloring books are also good options.
• Remember the parents. Include an appropriate gospel tract or a copy of the Gospel of John in your goody bag for the kids. Consider a calendar of upcoming church Christmas programs and information about various ministries.

Building bridges

While the cost of some of these items can quickly add up, I ask, “What value can we place on just one child or parent that may come to Jesus as a result of some of the items they received at your front door?”

Any conversation or interaction with trick-or-treaters and their parents goes a long way in building bridges with them. Money spent is money invested in eternity.

Depending on the number of kids that come through your neighborhood, you may consider asking some church friends who live in a low-traffic or rural area to help you. If you are in the latter group, offer to help a church friend who is in a high-traffic neighborhood.