Hey Chrisitaan and all

Something we did a couple of years ago that was so exciting. We took about 125 kids 1^st – high school and we went door to door. We called it, “Reverse the Curse”. Instead of receiving candy, when the person opened the door we said, “Here’s a treat.” And we gave the person a bag with treats and a tract. For the first 50 houses we actually gave them paperback bibles in the bag. The witness track was of course centered on the theme of Halloween and how Christ died to take away the fear of death and the enemy. It was one of our most memorable moments of ministry. While out our group walked up on about 20 guys playing football in the street and blessed them with bags. Some excepted a word of encouragement, some were afraid we were out doing evil because it was so many but the majority were shocked to get a “treat” on Halloween. And as a result some of them met us back at the church where we were putting on a play called, “Harry P Goes to Churchville.” (I will save that story for those who want to hear the rest…)

So I think “Reversing the Curse” is really simple. Members can donate candy, you can buy paperback bibles, and/or tracts stuff them in bags and give the kids a chance to minister and evangelize others on that night

Bless you all and I hope to see you in October ‘08

E. C

Lisa B from NC

Christiaan,

We do an event called “The Hallows Eve Diversion”: What if your holiday was someone else’s hope?  Is there a chance that a holiday celebration of fun and treats could become a movement of compassion?  Halloween is one of the most celebrated holidays in America, and soon it will become one of the greatest expressions of support for those who are in need in our community.  This Halloween, let traditions of old be replaced and renewed as you give way to a new tradition: The Hallows Eve Diversion. Instead of going from house to house collecting candy on October 31^st, why not use that night to collect items that can be used to help people who are less fortunate than yourself?  Halloween in the one night a year when almost every home in your area expects people to be knocking at their door, but now you are there not to collect candy…but to create hope.

Here’s how it works: 2 weeks before Halloween…our families will hand out flyers in their neighborhoods. 1 week before Halloween…we provide all our families with grocery bags to distribute in their neighborhoods (this serves as a reminder for neighbors to fill the bags with non-perishable food items). Night of Halloween…families pick up the grocery bags from their neighbors.  

This is something that parents and kids can do together…and they get to interact with all their neighbors. Both of our campuses participate because they can do it in their own neighborhoods.

This will be our second year doing the event. Last year we collected 15,000 food items. We anticipate doubling the number of families involved because of the success of last year.

You can check out last year’s website: http://www.thishallowseve.com/

A few families from church gather at 1 home and provide carnival games, hot cider, prizes, ect.  The kids play, the adults drink hot cider and interact with the neighborhood families that come trick or treating.  Have info on hand about your church.  I don't have a lot of input because this will be our 1st year trying this out!