By Kathryn Fogleman-White
Ah, Halloween! The night of costumes, candy, and the occasional over-the-top haunted house. For some Christians, this holiday stirs up discomfort—images of ghosts, ghouls, and witches may feel at odds with our faith. But what if we flipped the script? What if, instead of retreating behind locked doors and dimmed porch lights, we saw Halloween for what it truly is: a prime opportunity to spread the Gospel and shine the light of Christ in the darkness?
Let’s face it—on no other night do dozens (or even hundreds!) of kids march right up to our doors, wide-eyed and full of excitement, ready to receive what we offer. Sure, they’re looking for candy, but why stop there? What if we took advantage of the opportunity to share something sweeter—something that lasts far longer than a Snickers bar—like the Good News of Jesus Christ?
Halloween: A Night of Spiritual Awareness
Halloween is often brushed off as a silly night for costumes and candy, but at its core, it highlights deeper spiritual realities. The themes of death, spirits, and the supernatural that are woven into Halloween can actually remind us of the real spiritual battle going on around us. Heaven and hell, angels and demons, light and darkness—these are truths that the Bible speaks about clearly. As Christians, we know that life is not just a physical experience, but a spiritual one too (Ephesians 6:12).
Halloween can serve as a natural springboard to talk about these unseen realities. People—kids and adults alike—are already thinking about spooky things, even if they aren’t consciously connecting it to spiritual truth. What better time to gently guide them toward understanding the real battle between good and evil, life and death, and the eternal hope we have in Jesus?
The Great Commission on a Trick-or-Treat Super Highway
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gives us the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” And in Acts 1:8, He calls us to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. Now, if you happen to live in a trick-or-treat hotspot, it doesn’t take much imagination to see the opportunity in front of you. You don’t have to “go” far at all! The nations (okay, at least your neighborhood) are literally coming to your door.
My husband and I live on what I affectionately call a trick-or-treat super highway. Every year, we have kids flooding our street, and we’ve chosen not to waste the opportunity. Instead of turning off the lights and pretending we’re not home, we make it a point to engage. We hand out candy, of course, but we also include something more meaningful—Chick Bible tracts that look like fun comic books. And let me tell you, kids love them! They take them home, and some come back the next year telling us that they gave their heart to Jesus because of what they read.
Let that sink in for a minute. Would those kids have met Jesus if we had kept our doors shut? Maybe. But God placed us here, right in the middle of this trick-or-treat highway, and gave us the Great Commission. Why would we waste that opportunity? The Holy Spirit works in ways we can’t always see, but we have a role to play in sharing the Gospel with the people He brings to us.
What If You Don’t Live in a Trick-or-Treat Hot Zone?
Not everyone lives on a busy street during Halloween. Maybe you’re out in the country, or in a quieter neighborhood where the only action is a lone jack-o’-lantern down the block. Does that mean Halloween is a wasted opportunity for you? Not at all! If you aren’t in a high-traffic area, I encourage you to pray about how God might want you to use this day to spread His light.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Fasting and prayer: If trick-or-treaters aren’t coming to you, why not spend the day praying for those who will hear the Gospel that night? Pray for your neighbors, for the kids out on the streets, and for the power of God’s truth to break through the darkness.
- Trunk-or-treat events: Many churches hold “trunk-or-treat” gatherings, offering a safe place for families to enjoy Halloween. This can be a fantastic way to volunteer and hand out Bible tracts, candy, or even information about your church. It’s a simple but impactful way to meet your community right where they are.
- Go trick-or-treating with a purpose: If you have kids, you can take them trick-or-treating, but don’t just go for the candy. Equip your kids with Bible tracts or simple messages of hope to hand out at each house they visit. Let them be little missionaries, spreading God’s love one door at a time.
Redeeming Halloween for Christ
Halloween may have a lot of cultural baggage attached to it, but that doesn’t mean we need to write it off as a day for Christians to hide. We serve the God of all creation, and that includes October 31st. Whether we’re welcoming trick-or-treaters to our door, participating in a church event, or simply spending the evening in prayer, we can use this day to point people to Jesus.
Remember, as Christians, we’re called to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Halloween might seem dark to some, but it’s in those moments that light shines the brightest. So, let’s not waste this opportunity. Let’s open our doors, share the Gospel, and trust that God can use even the simplest things—like a piece of candy and a Bible tract—to change lives for eternity.
BIO
Kathryn’s Superpower? Helping people unfold and shape the stories of their lives. A certified life coach with the International Association of Professional Recovery Coaches, Kathryn guides clients in discovering who they are and finding clarity for the next chapters of their journey. She’s also a published author and co-author of multiple books, including her Tales of the Wovlen series, where she weaves life lessons through fantasy adventures.
Raised on a farm as the eldest of six, Kathryn knows a thing or two about wrangling chaos and imagination alike. When she’s not coaching or writing, she’s traveling the U.S. with her husband Steven, finding new inspiration, or planning her next villainous monologue. For Kathryn, life is an adventure meant to be shared—and she’s here to make sure no one walks their journey alone.
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