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Stepping closer in love
As the UK gears up for Halloween celebrations, the familiar conversations begin again – how should we as Christians respond? I remember, as a child, seeing a sign on our window politely asking trick-or-treaters not to call. Many churches now host “Light Parties” as an alternative, and for good reason, a desire to celebrate light over darkness, life over death, and hope over fear.
But this year, my thoughts have gone in a slightly different direction. I’ve been remembering our years overseas, the way we’d go to our neighbours’ homes to celebrate their festivals with them. We would join in Iftar meals at the end of Ramadan, or visit friends during Eid. We were kind, respectful, and genuinely interested in what they were celebrating and why. Not as an ulterior motive to get them to come to our events celebrating Easter and Christmas later, but because we loved them. As Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
That’s what mission is about – not standing at a distance from what others are doing, but stepping closer in love. Not always agreeing with what people believe or celebrate, but honouring their humanity and seeking genuine relationships.
All Saints’ Day
It’s worth remembering that the word Halloween itself comes from All Hallows’ Eve — the evening before All Saints’ Day (All Hallows’ Day). Originally, it was a Christian festival of remembrance — a time to give thanks for the saints who have gone before, and to reflect on the hope we have in Christ’s victory over death. Over time, as culture shifted, that focus dimmed, and the night took on other meanings and symbols.
A precious reminder
This week, I received an email from someone who keeps up-to-date with former ISV workers. She wrote:
“As All Saints Day is approaching, I’ve been thinking about our colleagues who have gone to glory, and thought you might like to know that, in the almost 30 years since I began writing to you, I have recorded 126 names.”
One hundred and twenty-six people, men and women who faithfully served, often in quiet, unseen ways, whose work for the Kingdom was rarely recorded on earth but is fully known in heaven. What a picture of what All Saints’ Day really is: a day to remember those who have gone before us, whose light still shines.
So, what might Halloween teach us about mission today? Perhaps that, instead of only withdrawing from the culture around us, we can choose to engage it with sensitivity and grace. We can open our doors and our hearts, meeting our neighbours where they are, not to compromise our faith, but to let light shine in ordinary, relational ways.
Mission often begins not with a sermon, but with a smile at the door. With sharing life, food, laughter — and eventually, perhaps, the hope that anchors it all.
As we remember the saints this week — those 126 names and countless others — may we follow their example: living and loving faithfully where God has placed us, sharing not only the gospel, but our lives as well.
If you are interested in finding ways that you can make a difference in God’s mission, see our opportunities here.