November 1, 2010
There were no tricks for the children who attended Kapahulu Bible Church’s (KBC) alternative to Halloween in Honolulu. Kids were treated to games, balloons, and the gospel message at the church’s annual Light up the Night Halloween event. “We see close to 500 people because this is seen as a safe neighborhood,” says Pastor Jim Stern.
Nearly 40 church members participated in the outreach to build friendships with local children and their parents. “Its good when people can realize church is a safe and a fun place,” says church member Dave Sakoda. “It can break the stereotype that everyone has of the church. It’s a great opportunity to reach out to the community.”
Light up the Night is one of several KBC Waikiki area outreaches, which includes Common Grace, a mentoring program in which the church partners with public schools to give needed assistance to non-English speaking elementary students. Pastor Stern and his wife, Anna, who served as Alliance international workers in Hong Kong for 12 years before moving to Hawaii, use their ability to speak Cantonese to bridge the gap not only with the students but also with their parents and teachers. “As trust with the children and their parents builds, new doors open up for us to show the love of Jesus,” the pastor says.
Providing fun, entertaining activities as a substitute to the traditional door-to-door solicitation for sweets gives KBC believers an opportunity to share the love of Jesus as they open their hearts to the children in a safe environment with no cost to the parents. “This is a way to bless the community, and it’s all free,” says Natalie Poon, church member and Campus Crusade for Christ intern. “[Church member] Auntie Donna shares the gospel through her balloon animals, and the kids get a yellow magnet with the gospel message.”
Other activities included a duck race, pumpkin toss, and bean bag toss with free snow cones for everyone as the high school youth group helped the children through the maze of amusements. “And with plenty of candy for all, their ‘sweet tooth’ was satisfied,” says church member Steven Phillips. “It’s great to have our congregation work together to give kids an alternative Halloween celebration, knowing we are impacting lives for Jesus as we shine His light into a dark night.”
Learn More
For more information about Kapahulu Bible Church, contact Pastor Stern at [email protected].
Read what other U.S. Alliance churches are doing to impact their communities for Christ.