By Carl Stagner

Throughout the year, Church of God congregations everywhere show the love of Christ in tangible and creative ways. Like Paul’s words to the church at Corinth—“I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22 NIV)—followers of Christ routinely examine the current cultural landscape to determine the best ways to meet their neighbors where they are. Without compromising convictions, they ensure an engaging social media presence, utilize various technology and multimedia options during services, and intentionally address present-day issues with timeless truth. They also connect with their communities by harnessing holidays in redeeming ways for the gospel.

Did you know Americans spend more money on Halloween than any other holiday except Christmas? Such a statistic doesn’t even scratch the surface of the pumpkin-spice, pumpkin-patch craze that has spread across the country, ushering in fall feelings as early as August in recent generations. Capturing the attention of neighbors and showing them Jesus’ love often means, then, hosting a fall festival or a trunk ’n’ treat—something many of our congregations opt to do each year.

In Birmingham, Alabama, Riverchase Community Church held their fall festival relatively early in October. Plenty of hot food and games put the festival into the fall event, which was combined with a trunk ’n’ treat. About four hundred miles north in Beattyville, Kentucky, First Church of God also held an event they dubbed a fall festival, but theirs was complete with what has become their famous annual vegetable soup event, along with hayrides. On the other side of the country, West Side Church of God in Glendale, Arizona, added carnival rides, food trucks, games, face painting, a pumpkin patch, and balloon animals—all in addition to a trunk ’n’ treat!

Hayride at Beattyville First Church of God.

Thinking outside the box reigned in parts of the country, too. Alma Church of God in Michigan didn’t go solo with their candy distribution; they joined forces with the Alma Action Association. Sometimes local partnership not only says a lot of good about the church, but shows it. A different idea, but also very inspiring—First Church of God in Winchester, Kentucky, held a sensory-friendly fall festival! Primarily seeking to bless families with autistic children, the event featured activities especially designed for those on the spectrum.

Coming very soon: Celebration Church in Columbia, Maryland, is gearing up for Harvest Fest ’24 will bring families out for an event full of food trucks (serving funnel cakes and more!) games, face painting, and a children’s train ride. Cross Point Church in Beckley, West Virginia, will hold one of the annually largest trunk ’n’ treats in the entire county, with an expected thousand trick-or-treaters.

What about your church? What did you do special this year for the fall season? What’s coming up soon? Share your story at https://cgm.formstack.com/forms/sharethestory.

Learn more about the Church of God movement at www.JesusIsTheSubject.org.