Feed His People. Clothe His People. Help Iraqi Christians today!

Feed His People. Clothe His People. Help Iraqi Christians today!

“But the people who know their God will display strength and take action.” Daniel 11:32
Arguably one of the most extreme and brutal terrorist groups in history, ISIS now controls a huge portion of Iraq. They have raped and sold women. They’ve kidnapped and murdered innocent children. The White House has publicly stated, "The situation is nearing a humanitarian catastrophe" and "a potential act of genocide."

Displaced Iraqi Christian refugees in Erbil “sleeping grounds”

Christian Aid Mission is one of very few organizations that works with local ministries in Iraq. These ministries are not fleeing because Iraq is their home and their calling is to their own people. They will remain and minister to the suffering throughout this crisis and beyond."
A ministry leader in Erbil has reported to us, "Homes and churches were burned to the ground."
More than 2,000,000 internally displaced Iraqis and Syrian refugees, also fleeing ISIS, are currently packed into the Erbil region. Those exiled have filled every building in the city beyond capacity, leaving thousands to live and sleep on the streets. The President has said, "These innocent families are faced with a horrible choice: descend the mountain and be slaughtered, or stay and slowly die of thirst and hunger."
With funding wired from Christian Aid Mission, the native ministries are able to buy supplies from local markets to distribute to the needy.
“Everything is available locally and could be purchased in a matter of hours and distributed within a few days,” reported one ministry leader. All funds sent to the indigenous ministries are strictly accounted for and overseen by proven ministry leaders.
This is a great opportunity for believers around the world to come alongside Iraqi Christians and show the love of God to those who are suffering.
Long after foreign aid agencies leave the region, these native workers will remain. Let's help them!

• $75* feeds a family of four for one week
• $150* provides Bibles and New Testaments (in the local language)
• $360* provides mattresses/ bed rolls for 12 people
• $500* provides medical supplies and attention to those who have medical needs
• $750* provides shelter for destitute families

Christian workers in Iraq will personally present your gifts to the families and share a simple, clear message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
* The needs are much greater than these numbers indicate

Help Us Spread the Word!

#HelpLocalIraq is an effort to bring attention to the indigenous ministries on the ground in Iraq who need our help. Please share this page with others and use #HelpLocalIraq.

Click here to download materials to help spread the word in your church.

Micro-investments Strengthen Women in Bangladesh

Micro-investments Strengthen Women in Bangladesh

September 04, 2014

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15, NKJV)

Mita* needed someone to give her a break. She had done her best to support two little boys after her husband abandoned the family a few years ago. They lost contact with him when he remarried and moved to another town.
As the sole provider, Mita worked long hours as a house servant. The callouses on her fingers offered proof of her hard labor. She was rewarded with one meal a day and a small amount of money, far short of what she needed to take care of her children. The very thought of what she might have to do just to pay the bills made her shudder.
The young woman knew prostitution was not the answer. She prayed all the more fervently for Jesus Christ to help her. In 2012 she became a Christian and began attending a church in the village. That was the final straw for Mita’s husband, who viewed her rejection of their Muslim faith as traitorous. From that moment on she had depended on Jesus for survival, trusting Him to go before her. He hadn’t let her down so far.
A ministry that focuses on outreach to Muslims in Bangladesh provided the heaven-sent solution. Mita heard that the organization helped destitute women like herself start small business ventures. With their assistance, she received start–up funds to make sweets and sell them in surrounding village markets. Over the past year she has earned enough money to meet the needs of her two boys and send them to school.
“I am happy and thankful to those who helped make this business possible,” she said.

Love in action

Best known for natural disasters and political turmoil, Bangladesh is ranked as one of the poorest nations in the world. Over 80 percent of its population is Muslim, with many practicing a nominal form of the religion. Although the national government upholds religious freedom, that doesn’t stop local jurisdictions and individual families from pressuring converts like Mita to return to their Muslim roots.
In 1999 a young Bangladeshi evangelist who had a burden to reach the millions of Muslims in his country with the gospel embarked on his own ministry. His strategy was simple—to visit as many villages as he could, lead people to Christ, and then raise up a group of dedicated workers who in turn would disciple and equip other believers to serve in ministry.
Over the years Christian Aid Mission has supported his efforts in a number of ways, including financial assistance for ministry workers, training for church leaders, and vocational programs like the one that made a life-changing difference for Mita. She was one of 62 women who received capital funds from the ministry to start her own business.
“Currently there is a great need to care for widows and divorced women with children. The widows and divorced women who are coming to faith and joining the churches are living very difficult lives,” said the ministry leader.
“Muslim men practice polygamy, and divorcing their wives is a common practice. When husbands die or abandon them, they leave their wives and young children without financial support,” he explained. “There are few job opportunities for women, and they have no money to meet their family’s needs. Many of them go into prostitution to survive and provide for their children.”
As a result of the ministry’s compassionate outreach, 120 women have come to faith in Christ in just the last year and joined local house churches, he said.
The ministry wants to help meet their material needs too. If enough support is raised, they plan to give each woman $100 for start–up capital to operate their own home chicken farm. The chickens and eggs that are produced will enable them to provide for their families.

Transforming one life, one village at a time

Planting house churches and training local believers to lead those congregations is the main thrust of the ministry. Most of the pastors are former Muslims who well understand the challenges faced by Muslim-Background Believers (MBBs).
Aware of the need for pastors to receive nurturing and encouragement, the ministry began hosting an annual “Couples’ Conference” nine years ago.
The three-day event held in March of this year drew one of the largest crowds ever—325 couples and nearly 200 children. Participants were blessed by the Bible teaching, prayer, and camaraderie.
“The main goal for the conference was to build up the MBB leaders and encourage them to have model Christian families who will serve the Lord, keep open their doors to continue the house churches, witness to and disciple others, plant more churches, and build up a Christian generation long-term among the MBBs,” said the ministry leader. “The people were very excited to have the fellowship and to learn from the Word of God,”.
One pastor who leads three house churches brought his wife and their children to the conference. Omar* became a Christian five years ago and received biblical training through a course offered by the ministry. His wife, however, was not a believer.
As she listened to the Word of God and enjoyed fellowship at the large gathering, the Lord began to work on her heart. She opened up to other pastors’ wives about a long-standing health issue, and they prayed with her. Praise be to God, she received healing during the conference, and the pain no longer plagued her body. That experience prompted her to receive Jesus as her Savior, and she was later baptized.
In keeping with its vision to establish strong Christian families as witnesses for the Lord, the ministry offers outreach to children too. August 2nd was a highly-anticipated day, as the ministry celebrated the opening of its school in a Muslim village. Presently 65 boys and girls attend, and more are expected.
Christian Aid Mission helped fund construction of the building, which also serves as an evangelistic center in the evenings and a worship hall on weekends.
“The school will be a big blessing for the whole village. Other than two families who came to faith, the rest of their community has not heard anything about Jesus,” the ministry leader told Christian Aid Mission. “Through the school we will be able to reach parents with the gospel and make disciples.”
It may seem like a lofty goal, but the ministry wants to start at least one house church in every village in Bangladesh within 15 years. There are about 85,000 villages in the country. They are off to a good start, having planted 865 churches already.
The ministry leader requested financial assistance to meet the following needs:

• Income-generating projects for widows and divorced women with children ($100 for start–up capital)
• Church leadership training and seminars (a four-day event attended by 60 people costs about $2,250)
• Ministry van for gospel workers to reach remote villages and transport Bibles and training workshop materials ($25,000)

*(names changed)

Use the form below to contribute online. Or call 434-977-5650 to contribute by phone. If you prefer to mail your gift, please mail to Christian Aid Mission, P.O. Box 9037, Charlottesville, VA 22906. Please use Gift Code: 710WLT. Thank you!

The courage of the few can shatter the silence of cowardice in the face of evil.

The courage of the few can shatter the silence of cowardice in the face of evil.

The silence of those who know the truth is deafening. The apathy towards abortion—from a generation that prides itself in its enlightenment towards other social justice issues—is a badge of dishonor. The simple fact that we allow the chambers of death to exist is evidence that we are cowards in an hour that begs for courage.

Sometimes silence can actually sound louder than words; it can speak volumes about the state of a culture. We have seen this all too many times in the past when cultures and societies have allowed a lie to redefine the value and worth of a human person. We have seen the very image of God, his heritage re-categorized as a sub human. We have also seen the devastating effect of silence in the face of these evils.

The excuses that spew out of the mouths of God’s people are deplorable. To think that a people who have heard the Gospel of Christ and been set free by the sacrifice of his death and resurrection, could ignore the cries of the most vulnerable, is simply mind-boggling.

Comfort seems to be a drug: an addiction that is so powerful it can silence and blind a generation who otherwise seems to care about injustice. It is easy to feed the hungry, get water for the thirsty or clothe the naked. There is no resistance to these acts of justice. The enemy is not fighting tooth and nail to oppose and destroy this work as he is with the abolition of abortion. When we realize what abortion actually is, we must choose to be silent and comfortable, or step out of that comfort into a battle that will stretch and test us.

Many will ask if they are called to step into this battle, and most will say no. The only question you have to ask yourself to figure out if you are called to be a voice and take a stand against abortion is, "Am I alive?" The fact that you are living in a nation that systematically slaughters thousands of her citizens a day is compulsion enough to rise up against this evil. The fact that you are alive means that you are called to love your neighbor as yourself, as God commands us to do.

What are we really afraid of? What can happen to us if we decide to heed the call to love our neighbor as ourselves?

While our culture is shifting towards a realization that abortion is truly a holocaust the likes of which we have never seen before, standing against this evil brings much opposition. I have seen this first hand as I have been attacked mentally, spiritually and physically. I have even faced death threats for the work I have done and been thrown in jail for peacefully praying in front of the doors to the abortion mills.

But what have I lost? Nothing of any real importance in light of what these children are losing by the thousands every day. In all reality I have nothing to lose that will mean anything in the end but I have everything to gain.

Replace the word "abortion" with any other vile act and there would be no argument. Slavery, child molestation, rape... If our government paid for, protected and called any of these "a right," there would be rioting in the streets and an uprising for justice that could not be ignored.

We would not consider the cost or what people thought about us if someone opened a business that molested children and we spoke out against it. Think about this: there was a time in our own nation when our black brothers and sisters were treated as property and it was unpopular to speak out against this evil. However because of the courage of the few in that hour, we now live in a nation which abhors slavery and would never allow it to take root again.

We are in that hour my friends, the crucial moment when you must ask yourself what you are made of. What does the sacrifice of Christ actually mean to you? Think about this vital truth from the Word of God. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.” – Galatians 2:20

God gave His Son for us, for our salvation. He gives us the very breath we breathe and we have nothing to fear if we are in Him. Our lives are not our own, but His and it is time that we lived them for Him and all of His heritage. The time is now to raise your voice and Stand True. The time is now. This is the hour to abandon a worldly cowardice and stand with Godly courage to end the abortion holocaust.

Bryan Kemper

Please share this latest blof via social media using this link - http://www.standtrue.com/hourofcourage/

UPDATE on our matching grant. We are almost half way to our goal having raised $1,800 of the $4,000 needed for the generous matching grant. With 17 Days left I am sure we can make this goal.

Stand True's Pro-life Missionaries have just been offered a $4,000 Matching Grant Donation by a generous donor.

As winter creeps up on us, it is more and more expensive for us to maintain the Stand True Missionary House with heating bills skyrocketing. But once again a generous donor is giving Stand True Pro-life Outreach a $4,000 matching donation and will double every donation we receive through November up to $4,000. For the past four years this Stand True supporter has given this amazing challenge to help us raise the money we need to close out the year.

This donor knows the importance of the work of Stand True and wants to make sure we continue to be a major force in our fight to bring an end to abortion and build a culture of life. They are committed to making sure that Stand True is able to house, feed and equip these full time pro-life missionaries and send them out to spread the pro-life message and proclaim the Gospel of Christ.

We need your help TODAY! Please donate $25, $50, $100, $500 or any amount and see it INSTANTLY DOUBLED and help Stand True continue to educate, activate and equip this generation. If you can donate please do so at https://give.cornerstone.cc/Stand+True.

This has been an amazing year for Stand True and our full time missionaries. Stand True’s summer mission team traveled thousands of miles and reached hundreds of thousands of people with the pro-life message this summer through our outreaches, generating a massive pro-life buzz on the streets and online.

For the fall we have two full time missionaries and a third who will be arriving in December. These amazing young people have given up so much to do full time pro-life work and this matching grant will help house, feed and equip them for this battle against the culture of death.

Stand True’s popular pro-life t-shirts were worn by the Duggar family on their reality show, 19 Kids and Counting. On one episode our shirt was blurred out which created so much buzz that almost every major media outlet was talking about the shirt and the story went viral.

Stand True will be once again organizing the official March for Life Youth Rally in Washington D.C. as well as traveling to the West Coast to host a booth at the West Coast Walk for Life.

The Stand True Missionaries have been brainstorming and will be launching some amazing new programs soon. They are more determined than ever to change this culture of death and bring an end to abortion in their lifetime.

We need your help TODAY! Please donate $25, $50, $100, $500 or any amount and see it INSTANTLY DOUBLED and help Stand True continue to educate, activate and equip this generation. If you can donate please do so at https://give.cornerstone.cc/Stand+True.

Donations can also be mailed to Stand True – PO Box 890 – Troy, OH 45373 or call 937-570-0671 to donate by phone.

Just think:

If you donate $25 it instantly becomes $50.

If you donate $50 it instantly becomes $100.

If you donate $250 in instantly becomes $500.

Your investment in the important pro-life work of Stand True will double instantly; what other investment can promise you that?

Stand True Pro-life Outreach’s mission is to Educate, Activate and Equip this generation to be the generation that will abolish abortion. This matching grant donation will help make sure we are able to fulfill our mission and expand our outreach.

If you have ever considered donating to Stand True or any pro-life ministry, this is the best time to do so as your money will instantly double and the resources we can provide will double.

Please help us reach this goal of $8,000 this November and see it made possible by this amazing matching grant donation.

We need your help TODAY! Please donate $25, $50, $100, $500 or any amount and see it INSTANTLY DOUBLED and help Stand True continue to educate, activate and equip this generation. If you can donate please do so at https://give.cornerstone.cc/Stand+True.

Donations can also be mailed to Stand True – PO Box 890 – Troy, OH 45373 or call 937-570-0671 to donate by phone.

Bryan Kemper
Director of Youth Outreach for Priests for Life
Stand True
PO Box 890 * Troy, OH 45373
bkemper@standtrue.com
http://www.facebook.com/iambryankemper
http://www.facebook.com/standtrueforlife
http://www.standtrue.com

 

Jason Barrows Islands of My Soul

After spending time this year as lead guitarists for fellow midwest songwriter Josh Garrels, Jason Barrows started to discover that there was a potential to marry his spirituality and his taste for iconic musical expression. Colored walls of synthesizers and 80’s era new wave guitars breakthrough Barrows stunningly potent lyrics about redemption and the world that we are living in. Mesmerizing dream pop guitar songs like "City of Lost Children" are brought to a gentle hum as he drifts seamlessly into scenic and prayerful ballads like "Promised Land", both featured here on his debut release Islands of My Soul.

NEW + NOTABLE

Green Carpet Players Morning to Evening Lowana Wallace Hymns & Carols NoiseTrade Sampler Amick Cutler Just A Little Bit Longer

A Simple Guide to Sharing Your Faith

by Aaron Coe , Dustin Willis on Wednesday, October 15, 2014

When God restores our relationship with Him, we begin to discover meaning and purpose in a broken world.

Watch this video from Life on Mission. It presents a simple diagram to help you share their faith in a natural way with the lost people they encounter every day. Jimmy Scroggins, lead pastor or First Baptist Church West Palm Beach, explains three key truths: God’s design, brokenness, and the gospel.
http://bcove.me/v1k08wpp

We live in a broken world, surrounded by broken lives, broken relationships, and broken systems. This brokenness is seen in the suffering, violence, poverty, pain, and death around us. Brokenness leads us to search for a way to make life work.
In contrast to this brokenness, we also see beauty, purpose, and evidence of God's perfect design around us. The Bible tells us that God originally planned a world that worked perfectly-where everything and everyone fit together in harmony. God made each of us with a purpose-to worship Him and walk with Him. (See Gen. 1:31; Ps. 19:1.)
Life doesn't work when we ignore God and His original design for our lives. We selfishly insist on doing things our own way. The Bible calls this sin. We all sin and distort the original design. The consequence of our sin is separation from God-in this life and for all eternity. (See Rom. 3:23; 6:23.)
Sin leads to brokenness. We see this all around us and in our own lives as well. When we realize life isn't working, we begin to look for a way out. We tend to go in many directions and do many different things to figure it out on our own. Brokenness leads to a realization of our need for something greater. (See Prov. 14:12; Rom. 1:25.)
At this point we need a remedy-some good news. Because of His love, God didn't leave us in our brokenness. Jesus, God in human flesh, came to us and lived perfectly according to God's design. Jesus came to rescue us-to do for us what we couldn't do for ourselves. He took our sin and shame to the cross, paying the penalty of our sin by His death. Jesus was then raised from the dead to provide the only way for us to be rescued and restored to a relationship with God. (See John 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; Col. 2:14.)
Simply hearing this good news isn't enough. We must admit our sinful brokenness and stop trusting in ourselves. We don't have the power to escape this brokenness on our own. We need to be rescued. We must ask God to forgive us, turning from sin to trust in Jesus. This is what it means to repent and believe. Believing, we receive new life through Jesus, and God turns our lives in a new direction. (See Mark 1:15; Rom. 10:9; Eph. 2:8-9.)
When God restores our relationship with Him, we begin to discover meaning and purpose in a broken world. Now we can pursue God's design in all areas of our lives. Even when we fail, we understand God's pathway to be restored-this same good news of Jesus. God's Spirit empowers us to recover His design and assures us of His presence in this life and for all eternity. (See Eph. 2:10; Phil. 2:13.)
This article is excerpted from Life on Mission.

Related Articles and Resources

Knowing, Sharing and Defending Your Faith
Why Do You Believe That? (Bible study)
Christ Made a Way for Peace
Honest to God (Bible study)

Aaron Coe serves as the vice president of mobilization and marketing of the North American Mission Board, providing leadership in mobilizing churches and missionaries to plant churches. He and his wife, Carmen, have four children, Ezra James, Danielle, Joshua and Harper.

Dustin Willis serves as the coordinator of the Send Network and the Send North America Conference. Dustin lives in metro Atlanta, with his wife, Renie, and their two children, Jack and Piper. Before moving to Atlanta, Dustin planted and pastored Midtown Fellowship in Columbia, South Carolina.

Life on Mission: Selfies with Sinners

By Tim Harlow

Matthew was a tax collector. The Jews hated tax collectors because they were usually swindlers and “sell outs” who worked for the Romans. You couldn’t get any lower than a tax collector. They even had their own category. There were “sinners” and there were “tax collectors.” Like there are normal sinners, and then there are tax collectors.
So Jesus and the disciples came upon Mathew one day and Jesus says, “Why don’t you quit your job and follow me?” (Matthew 9) Matthew says “yes,” and the next thing you know Jesus is at a party at Matthew’s house. There are no details about what happened next, we just know that Matthew throws a party and Jesus is there.
So who would Matthew invite? MORE SINNERS!
Can you imagine the scene? Put it in modern day context. I can only imagine Matthew running back and forth from the kitchen, making sure everyone was being looked after as he listened to the conversations that took place around the table and out in the hot tub. He’s restocking the beer cooler. There is NON–Christian music on the stereo. You know Naughty Matt had a sick stereo with a kickin’ subwoofer. But he hadn’t heard of “Mercy Me” yet. He didn’t even know there were Christian radio stations. I want you to get a true picture of where Jesus was.
“MANY tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples.” That’s the Bible’s way of saying JESUS WAS AT A NAUGHTY PEOPLE PARTY!
“And when the Pharisees saw this, they asked the disciples, ‘why is your teacher at the naughty people party?’” (Matthew 9:11 – my paraphrase)
It’s a valid question.
Why is it that Jesus would publically associate with sinners before they made any changes in their lives? It doesn’t feel right. This obviously isn’t the first time either. His reputation was, “Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners!” (Luke 7:30) Doesn’t that make you uncomfortable?
I became friends with my “Matthew” at the health club. He was a former Hells Angel and his life was way more of “hell” than of “angel.” It was not easy working out with him for several reasons. For one, we didn’t exactly use the same amount of weight on the bar. But there was more. He used loud, bad, language, and gawked at, and commented on every woman in the place. Then there was the day he decided to work out with me in a horrendously inappropriate t-shirt from a strip club. I’m not sure there is an appropriate t-shirt from a strip club, but this one was particularly bad. It was offensive to me, and that takes a lot.
I tried to get him to turn it inside-out, but to no avail.
Most of the people at Body-Tech know who I am, half of them go to my church, and here I am working out with “Matt,” wearing this offensive t-shirt.
Do you know how I felt? Like Jesus.
Okay, not at first. I have to admit I felt a little embarrassed, and a little concerned for my reputation – and that’s when it dawned on me that Jesus felt like this all the time.
Jesus responded to the religious leaders who were not comfortable around sinners by saying, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” Then He insults them, saying “But go and learn what this means.” (My paraphrase: “You are ignorant, go figure this out.”) Then He quotes a prophecy they know very well. ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,” and He delivers the clincher, “For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13)
The ramifications of this for church leaders is extreme. I don’t know about you, but until I started working out with Naughty Matt, I didn’t have a lot of “sick” people in my life. I work for a church. I’m with Christians most of the time. That’s my job. I’m more comfortable being surrounded by people who know how to dress appropriately at the health club. Sure, the church is supposed to be light in darkness, but not that dark. Whenever I teach from the Great Commission, it’s always about you people going into all the world to make disciples. I can’t go. I have to stay here and train you to do it.
“Matt” started coming to our church. Would he be welcome at yours?
What I wouldn’t give to have seen the reaction from the other disciples when Jesus asked Matthew to follow him. Don’t you know that there was a moment when they realized that if Matthew followed Jesus, it also meant joining them! These guys were mostly fishermen, so they were far from being at the top of the social ladder, but even fishermen look down on tax collectors. How excited they must have been the day Jesus asked Dr. Luke to join them
Nobody wants a selfie with a tax collector. Except Jesus.
If I’m supposed to be a disciple of Jesus, I should look like Him, right? Sure, it’s uncomfortable. I bet I have more expletive-laden text messages on my phone than the average sailor. People are going to talk when they see me with the gear head in the nasty shirt.
That’s probably a good sign that I’m looking more like Jesus.

5 Ways to Build Relationships on Halloween

by Sarah Riddle on Tuesday, October 07, 2014

Be intentional about getting to know your neighbors and develop bonds that will last long after the candy is gone.

In New England, there are two times that we are guaranteed to see our neighbors. One, right after a snowstorm when everyone is clearing their sidewalks; and two, the night of trick-or-treat. When our goal as a family is to build meaningful relationships with our neighbors that will lead to making disciples, it makes sense that we should learn how to make the most of this opportunity.
Obviously, we do not want to be part of any celebration that honors behavior and things that are ungodly. But we run into a conundrum when we evaluate our family mission. Matthew 28:19 says: "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." This has driven us to live a life in urban community-based ministry, in order to "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31). We intentionally position our family in Boston to build relationships that will lead to making disciples. This starts with loving our neighbors and taking time to know who they are by being where they are.
The last 10 years we have been involved in Halloween in various ways: library parties, church events, staying home, and yes, last year I took my kids door-to-door in our neighborhood. We are not the only ones. Many Christian families we know are intentionally participating for kingdom purposes. Hopefully, one of these strategies that has been used in our neighborhood will inspire you to wear a silly hat and get to know some of the people God has placed in your neighborhood, your ministry area.
1. Don't Be Spooked. Get Outside!
One of the best ways to embrace trick-or-treat, if you have a lot of visitors, is to get outside and greet the trick-or-treaters. Rather than trying to clean, watch a movie, or take a nap during the allotted hours of trick-or-treat, and then feeling annoyed every time the doorbell rings, go outside. Sit on your porch and greet people. Use the time to intentionally get to know your neighbors who are coming to your house.
Churches spend a lot of time creating strategies to entice the unsaved into the church building. On trick-or-treat night, you have your community coming to YOU at your door! Get out there, be the Church, and get to know your neighbors.
Ask the kids about their costumes. Introduce yourself to parents. Build the foundation of a relationship. If you feel inspired, dress up a bit. Try something that would tell a little about yourself. Wear a hat you bought on vacation or put on your favorite sports jersey. A relationship requires an exchange of information. Learn something about your costumed guests, and share something about yourself.
2. Build Friendships without Leaving Your Front Yard
Let's face it, if you have ever gone trick-or-treating, you know it's hard work. A partner ministry in our hometown provides a place to sit and drink hot chocolate so that trick-or-treaters and their parents can pause and rest. Set up your picnic table on your front lawn. If you live in a cold place like Boston, hot chocolate is great, but sweet tea and lemonade are also excellent options. Fire up the grill and serve hot dogs. Purchasing hot dogs and buns from your local warehouse store is almost the same investment as getting good candy.
Create a space where neighbors can sit and then sit down with them. Share a bit of life with your neighbors. Find out what sports their kids play. Ask your neighbor where she bought the beautiful flowers you noticed lining her front walk. This environment also lends itself to testimony and prayer. Share your own story of what God is doing in your life, then offer to pray with a neighbor who may share a difficult situation she is experiencing.
3. Celebrate All that Is Good
If your church is hosting a harvest party, get involved. Extra hands are always welcome. But don't just go, bring people with you. Invite your neighbors, soccer teammates, your hairdresser that has little kids, and your own kids. Pack your car with big and little people. Parents want their kids to have fun and be safe. A church party is a safe and fun environment that appeals to parents. Get flyers from your church, or make your own. Give them out in the weeks leading up to the event.
Don't close the book after the event. While you are there, introduce your guests to other church members. Tell them about programs your church has available. Then continue the conversation later. Maybe while bobbing for apples, you learn that your neighbor loves apple pie. If you are a baker, make them an apple pie (or buy one), and take it to them. Continue the relationship, continue the conversation, and continue to listen and learn about your neighbors. If your church doesn't participate, look for events at your local library or community center.
4. Give Something Good to Eat
Contrary to popular belief, trick-or-treaters do not want tracts. The name of the game on this night is treats. The gospel information in tracts is invaluable compared to a snack-size chocolate bar, but to a kid, it feels like a trick to get a piece of paper when they expect a treat. It's all about expectations. Incorporating the gospel or church information into the treat is great. We have creative friends that achieve both objectives. Our pastor lives in the high-traffic trick-or-treat neighborhood. Their family employs the greeting-on-the-porch method, but they also print out hundreds of labels with the name, address, and service time for our church to attach to each candy bar they give out. The candy is good, the personal connection occurs, the information is there, and everybody wins.
It doesn't have to be candy. Other friends of our ministry don't give out candy, but they purchase glow bracelets in bulk. This gives them two advantages: glow bracelets are cool, and they get more than half a second with each trick-or-treater while they crack the bracelets and loop them around the wrists of the children. They have time to talk and interact with each one. Some companies sell pencils, bracelets, and bouncy balls that incorporate biblical themes, at affordable prices if you plan ahead.
5. Pray for Every Costumed Child
Not everyone is comfortable or ready to chat it up with every trick-or-treater, but we can all pray. As you place candy in a little pumpkin and you see the cute painted face that God created in His image, pray over him or her. Pray protection, salvation, blessing, and direction for that child and the family represented.
Trick-or-treat night can be a great opportunity for Christians to build and grow relationships with neighbors if we are intentional about it. It can also provide a solution to the stress-inducing issue of how to involve our children in this day as families do ministry together. When I explain to my kids about getting to know our neighbors, they are all in. They dress up, and when the doorbell rings, they all bolt. Our trick-or-treaters are overwhelmed with candy, love, and conversation. There are some kids that we consistently see on that night. We know them. We have enjoyed the opportunity to watch them grow during the last two years. It's a small connection that allows us to stop and chat in the grocery store that can lead to a birthday party invitation, a mean when someone is sick, and chats about life that lead to the opportunity to share the gospel, and make a disciple.
This article is courtesy of HomeLife magazine.

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Sarah Riddle and her husband, Keith, have served with The Boston Project Ministries since 2002. They have three boys who fill their lives with thrilling adventures. Some of their favorite family activities are biking around Boston, camping, and rooting for the Red Sox.