Trunk-a- treat, smell my feet...

Well, just got home from the biggest outreach event we do all year - our "Trunk-a-Treat / Fall Festival". I have no idea (yet) how many people were with us (i'll guess and say a couple of thousand were on campus). We had candy, various inflatibles and used Group Publishing's "Heroes Unmasked" game/outreach kit and everything was an outstanding success. Hyde Park volunteers, as usual, made the difference from an event being just OK and making our campus have a welcome feeling all-around - way to go ladies and guys!

So, why make such a big fuss over a secular holiday that most churches call "the devils holiday" - are we giving into the world by compromising what we believe?

Let me answer with a question: If we boycott this day will our community still go "Trick-or-Treating"? Well, of course they will. So rather than put our heads in the sand and play "ostrich Christianity" (as most churches do, by the way) we leverage their desire to do something on October 31st - AND WE THROW THE BIGGEST, BESTEST (gimme a break, it rhymes!), SAFEST PARTY IN TOWN! And in turn, they come in droves!

All this without one dime spent in advertising - no flyers, newspaper, banners, nothing; the people come because this party has a reputation for being great.

So, why make such a big fuss over a secular holiday that most churches call "the devils holiday"? Because someone who lives far from God who was on our campus tonight with their children will hit a point of crisis in their life and realize their need to connect with God. As they seek him they very well might think "you know, Hyde Park was always so kind to us when we went to their Halloween Party - I think i'm going there Sunday - i've gotta get my life on track!" and that's where we come in, ready to help people connect with the God Who loves them with an everlasting love.

Why make such a big fuss over October 31st? We aren't - we're making a big fuss over people who have souls which deserve to be "made over". I say we find more ways to intrigue, bless and make over people because: The Bottom Line is PEOPLE DESPERATELY NEED JESUS!