Cheri Strange, Christian Speaker and Author

               I love the responses churches have made toward redeeming such an ominous and completely commercialized holiday. One church in my area hosts a pumpkin patch – always filled with families posing their children around the pumpkins. Another hosts a Trunk-or-Treat event, giving candy out of the trunks of cars as well as giving away hot dogs and the opportunity to watch a short evangelistic cartoon kids love. Our church, among others in the area, hosts a Fall Festival complete with Bible-themed games, candy give-aways, and a system for following up with those who might not ever step into a church otherwise.

            One idea for redeeming Halloween on a personal scale is to host a Hallelujah Fest. My friend, Jana, introduced me to this event and I absolutely love it. She hosted her annual Hallelujah Fest last weekend and I’ve posted a couple of pictures from the event. Not only is it an option for family fun in a God-honoring way, it could also be a vehicle to bring your neighbors together – who might not otherwise participate in one of the church events.

            Families are invited to dinner (a collective endeavor – potluck style), to appear in costume (nothing inappropriate or scary), and participate in a pumpkin carving contest. After family pictures are taken and dinner is devoured, it is pumpkin-carving time. When the masterpieces are completed, everyone votes for their favorite pumpkin as well as the best costumes. All these aspects take place amidst the constant running of praise and worship music.

            Jana, the hostess, provided various prizes for the top three pumpkins and costumes. Her prizes included candy bars, t-shirts, candles, and fall decorations. Family themes are treasured most above all else for the costume awards. This year’s winners consisted of a family of puppy dogs (homemade costumes, of course) with Dad as the dog catcher. So cute! The other was a family of ladybugs – including the very burly and masculine Dad sporting a tutu and wings. It was hilarious fun! But my personal favorite was my precious oldest who won on her own with a Twister board game costume. She was adorable.

            What I love about this idea is that everyone can participate, regardless of age or whether you come alone or with a mob like mine. It is uplifting family fun. Hallelujah Fest is just one way to redeem Halloween in our own backyards.