Every year when October 31 rolls around, you’ll see many Christians wrestling with what to do. Some stay home quietly and avoid the night altogether. Others host “harvest festivals,” “trunk-or-treats,” or open their doors and walk into the night.
At Frontier Church Longmont, we choose outreach. We believe there is a redemptive opportunity in engaging a night that many in our culture use for fear, spectacle, or escapism.
In this post, I want to share why we engage, how we think about spiritual realities, and how we seek to be a blessing — all while honoring those who in conscience choose a different path.
A Word about Halloween’s Roots — Christian and Otherwise
The story of Halloween is complex, layered, and has changed over centuries. It’s common to hear it dismissed as purely pagan or “of the devil,” but a more careful look shows Christian threads interacting with broader cultural practices.
The name “Halloween” comes from “All Hallows’ Eve” — literally, the evening before All Saints’ Day (history.com).
The Western church officially fixed All Saints’ Day on November 1 during the 9th century, partly to sanctify a time that many cultures associated with harvest and remembrance (christianity.org.uk).
Popular customs like bonfires, costumes, and giving small treats to neighbors came later — a mix of Christian, Celtic, and folk traditions (magiscenter.com).
The heart of the original observance was preparation for All Saints’ Day — remembering the faithful who have gone before us, reflecting on mortality, and anchoring our hope in the resurrection of Jesus.
So Halloween is not inherently Christian, nor purely pagan. It has been shaped by both the church and the surrounding culture. What matters most is how we approach it today.
Idols Have No Real Power — Only Christ Is Lord
When we choose to engage on Halloween night, we do not believe that we are playing with spiritual fire or worshipping the devil. We trust Scripture: the idols people fear or imagine have no real authority in themselves. God alone is sovereign.
Idols and fears are powerless: As Paul writes, “We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one” (1 Corinthians 8:4).
Christ reigns supreme: Jesus has already disarmed the powers of darkness, triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2:15).
We do not fear Halloween, and we do not fear sin — not because we take sin lightly, but because Jesus has already conquered it. Sin is serious, but it no longer has the final word. Christ has broken its power and freed us from its grip (Hebrews 2:14–15; Colossians 2:13–15).
What we do fear is the Church pulling back when the world most needs its witness. When believers withdraw from cultural spaces, we risk allowing sin and despair to fill the void where love and light should be.
Halloween night offers a rare opportunity — our neighbors are already out, walking our streets, coming to our doors. It’s a natural space to meet people, share kindness, and build trust. Every smile, cup of cocoa, and conversation is a small act of grace that can open the door for deeper spiritual conversations later on. Rather than retreat, we step forward with gentleness and joy, knowing that light always shines brightest in the dark.
Christ Is Bigger Than Halloween
We don’t engage Halloween because we think it’s “safe.” We engage because Christ is greater. The gospel story doesn’t shrink in the face of darkness — it shines through it.
Fear, death, and the unknown are major themes of Halloween. For us, that’s not something to run from but to speak into. Jesus has defeated fear and death forever. In Him, we find the only answer to the darkness people feel but rarely name.
Christians have always been people of incarnation — stepping into the world, not standing apart from it. When we join our neighbors on a night like this, we bring a message of hope simply by being present, kind, and joyful.
Jesus Is the Redeemer of All Things
When we look around on Halloween night, we see bats, black cats, skeletons, pumpkins, the moon, and all kinds of spooky imagery — but we remember that Jesus is the Creator and Redeemer of all things.
Colossians 1:16 reminds us, “For through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see … everything was created through him and for him.” Every part of creation — from pumpkins to moonlight — belongs to Him, no matter how people have chosen to use or distort those symbols.
We don’t surrender what God made good. Instead, we reclaim it with joy and gratitude. Christians can celebrate, laugh, and have fun without compromising holiness because joy itself is a fruit of the Spirit. Many followers of Jesus who choose to participate in Halloween set wise boundaries: avoiding what glorifies evil, celebrating what is good, creative, and neighborly, and using the night to connect rather than retreat.
We are not worshipping darkness, evil, or the devil — we are worshipping the One who reigns over both the physical and the spiritual realms. As redeemed people who love Jesus, we also love our neighbors. Our hearts belong fully to Christ, and our presence in the community reflects that.
Does that mean there aren’t dark elements out there? No — but there are dark elements every day. Jesus’ authority doesn’t fade when the sun sets or when costumes come out. His kingdom is steady and unshaken.
So when we light up our porches, hand out candy, and greet our neighbors, we are living out redemption — bringing light into every space that once belonged to fear.
We Are Not Demonizing Those Who Differ
We understand and deeply respect that many believers hold convictions against participating in Halloween. Some see it as a night best avoided; others host alternative events. We affirm that conscience matters.
As Paul teaches in Romans 14, in disputable matters each person should be fully convinced in their own mind. We can disagree on practice while staying united in mission.
At Frontier, we want to support those who refrain and those who engage — each seeking to honor Christ. The point is not who’s right or wrong, but that our choices flow from faith, not fear.
A Night of Real Spiritual Battles — and Real Witness
We don’t deny that Halloween has dark associations for some. There are real spiritual battles happening in our world — fear, oppression, and loneliness are very real. But that’s precisely why we step out in faith.
Scripture reminds us, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). We believe God’s people should be visible on nights like this — offering joy where there’s fear, prayer where there’s worry, and presence where there’s isolation.
When our neighbors come to us for candy, they encounter kindness. When they see us serving hot chocolate or chatting with families, they see the Church as a friend, not a fortress. That simple presence is often the first glimpse someone has of the Kingdom of God.
How We Do Outreach
We keep our outreach simple and relational:
Hospitality first. We offer candy, smiles, and conversation. It’s about connection, not conversion.
Prayerful preparation. We pray before, during, and after — asking God to bless each interaction.
Safety and trust. We want families to know the church is for them, not against them.
Follow-up with care. If people express interest, we invite them to community meals, service projects, or discussion gatherings.
Every detail — from lights to laughter — is about showing the goodness of God in practical, welcoming ways.
A Pastoral Appeal
If you’ve wondered why we do this, here’s the heart of it: we want to be a faithful presence in our city. We don’t participate in Halloween to blend in, but to bless.
The world does not need a church that hides. It needs a church that shows up — with courage, humility, and love. So whether you’re serving cocoa, greeting families, or praying from home, you’re part of that light.
This Halloween, let’s remind Longmont that hope still walks its streets — one smile, one cup, one conversation at a time.