BATTLE CREEK, Mich.—Each year on the evening of Halloween, Calvary Baptist Church hosts Trunk or Treat, a community outreach for families. The event changes the focus of Halloween from the dark and evil roots for which it is often known and instead focuses on the children and their excitement, welcoming them to the church in a nonthreatening way.
The free event is designed as families’ first contacts with the church and its ministries. Over 400 children, with their families, attended Trunk or Treat 2014. Church families decorated their car trunks with non-scary themes of their choice and passed out candy to the children. Each child also received a bag with an appropriate gospel track and information about the church. Some of the families planned games in which the children could participate. A bounce house was also available.
Each year, the local fire department brings one of its fire trucks. Several ministries, such as Operation Christmas Child, also participate, as does a local missionary. If inclement weather is expected, the event is easily adaptable to move inside the church building.
The overwhelming majority of the children were not attendees of Calvary Baptist Church. As church families talked briefly with visitors, several mentioned that they were looking for a church home.
It is Calvary Baptist’s prayer that Trunk or Treat is used to spread the gospel and to encourage and welcome visitors to the church.
