Planning for a Gospel
Trunk or Treat
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it
Psalm 118:24
Welcome! Most likely you're viewing this page because you have the desire to host, participate, or organize a gospel centered Trunk or Treat. Our church has been organizing this event since 2023 and it brings us joy knowing we can share and bring the Bible to life to our church neighborhood. Below you will find TIPS and suggestions that will make your next Gospel Trunk or Treat a success!
VOLUNTEERS
Just like any outreach, organizing a trunk or treat will require all hands on deck from your church members. From manning the cars to distributing hot chocolate, a well staffed trunk or treat will result not only in a less-stressful event, but it will provide an opportunity for the community to witness the body of Christ helping one another. TIP: Start gathering volunteers at least 1.5 months in advance. Reach out to the volunteers for confirmation 1 week before the event.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Begin announcing your trunk or treat event to the community approximately 1 month before the event. This will ensure the passers-by will take note of where to head on October 31st. Our church hangs a colorful and vivid vinyl banner displaying the event name, date, time, and few words of what to expect. On the day of, we announce our event on nearby main thoroughfares.This year, we invested in yard signs, windless feather flags, and A-frame signs TIP: Do not add the year to the event. This will enable you to reuse the vinyl banner for the years to come.
Vinyl banner designed and purchased on Zazzle App
Flags, A-frame, and yard signs purchased from Vista Flags
DRINKS/FOOD/CANDY
Drinks are optional, but I believe it adds a touch of hospitality when guests arrive and are offered either coffee (for adults) or hot chocolate to drink. For the candy, we distribute them into baskets and provide to each vehicle. I keep an eye out for sales on the candy at various stores. If possible, purchase the candies that will not be tossed by the individual (I'm looking at you Tootsie Rolls) and other generic-style candies. We want to send the message to the guests that we value them and therefore, we would like to treat them with delicious treats. ( TIP: Make sure to allow enough time for the coffee to brew or the hot water to preheat before the start of the event. TIP#2: Set up garbage cans around the property to throw trash into.
Usually our teens and Sunday school students handle the drinks and distribute the candy into the baskets
OUTREACH SUPPLIES
Depending on your church budget, obtain Biblical material to hand out to the guests. In the past years, we have passed out coloring books along with coloring crayons, age appropriate books, and Bible tracts to participants. This year, we purchased the Action Bibles to hand out to the children who attend the event. This is a great way to introduce the Bible to non-believers with minimal reading but powerful enough to change their heart. We typically set up a couple tables that are devoted to reading materials. TIP: Set up the books and other materials in categories based on age (Children, Teens, Adults).
Resources where to purchase supplies:
Church Source
Christianbook.com
Oriental Trading
Bible Tracts, Inc
Amazon
This is also where we set up a prayer box (purchased on Oriental Trading) along with prayer cards for individuals to write their needs and requests. After the event, we distribute the cards among the volunteers and encourage continual prayer over these needs.
BIBLE-THEMED TRUNKS
This is honestly what the event is all about. We combine the Holy Bible with our creativity to display various stories that the Scriptures hold. At our event, we tend to stay away from any non-Scriptural displays. Though there is nothing destructive about them, our main focus is on introducing the stories that are recorded in the Bible to our guests. Be mindful that most guests that have attended our Trunk or Treat events, have never heard of the "basic" stories that us believers grew up hearing in Sunday School. Keep your story-telling short, engaging, and how it reveals God. Optional, but at each car, we ask that volunteers prepare a brief but enjoyable game for the guests to participate in. This is one of the ways they receive the candy and move on towards to the next vehicle. Depending on the size of the candy, we distribute between 2 to 3 candies per individual. In the past, our church averaged about 10 vehicles which totals to approximately 20-30 candies per child.
Bible Themed Trunk Ideas:
Creation
The 10 Commandments
Samson
Daniel in the Lion Pit
Store Your Treasure in Heaven
Nativity Scene
Christ's Crucifixion
Christ's Resurrection
Noah's Ark
Moses in the Basket
Fisher's of Men
David and Goliath
Jonah
Jesus Feeds the Multitude
(more ideas and pictures
can be viewed under GALLERY
tab
IMPORTANT TIP: If your church does not have adequate lighting in the parking lot, please have volunteers bring their own lighting (preferably battery operated).
OTHER TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS
-Before the participants leave your church premises, hand out flyers that include your church information (Sunday service times, phone number of someone they can reach to talk to, if needed).
-Pass out glow sticks to the guests and remind them to be safe while walking in the dark streets
I trust this information has been useful, beneficial, and practical to you. Overall, we have a wonderful and unique opportunity to share our faith and message of our Savior, Jesus Christ. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Roman 10:17).
Blessings,
Angelina Kovdiy
SBCB Event Coordinator
916-521-5154