10/06/2026
WHY DOES TCOG HAVE A HARVEST FESTIVAL?
I want to make something very clear about the heart behind what we do at TCOG.
We do not celebrate Halloween. We do not promote Halloween. And our Harvest Festival is not our attempt to put a Christian name on Halloween.
It is about THE HARVEST.
Jesus said in Matthew 9:37, “The harvest is plentiful…”
Every year, there is a night when families by the hundreds are already getting out of their houses. Children are everywhere. Parents are looking for places to take their families.
So what should the Church do?
Turn off the lights, lock the doors, and stay inside?
Or should we turn the lights ON, open the doors, and say, “Bring the harvest to us!”
That is the heart of Harvest Festival.
We are not celebrating darkness.
We are shining LIGHT.
We are not honoring Halloween.
We are honoring JESUS.
We are not trying to become like the world in order to reach the world.
We are taking advantage of an opportunity to put the love of Jesus directly in front of people who may never walk through our doors on a normal Sunday morning.
Yes, we give away candy.
Yes, we decorate trunks.
Yes, we play games, laugh, and want children to have an incredible time.
But don't mistake the method for the mission.
The candy is not the mission.
The trunks are not the mission.
The games are not the mission.
PEOPLE ARE THE MISSION.
Behind every child who walks onto our property is a soul Jesus died for.
Behind every parent is someone who may be hurting, searching, struggling, or simply waiting for someone to show them genuine love.
What if one family comes because their child wants candy—but leaves knowing there is a church that loves them?
What if one child comes for a game—but encounters people who show them the love of Jesus?
What if someone who would never attend a church service walks onto our property that night—and it becomes the first step toward their life being changed?
THAT is why we do this.
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” — Matthew 5:14
And light doesn't accomplish much when it's hidden behind closed doors.
So while we will not celebrate Halloween, we also refuse to surrender an entire night and our community to darkness.
We're going to turn the lights on.
We're going to open the doors.
We're going to love people.
We're going to preach Jesus through our words and our actions.
And we're going to believe God for a HARVEST! 🙌
Because at TCOG, Harvest Festival isn't about Halloween.
It's about reaching people with JESUS.
THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL. LET'S GO GET IT.
https://theodorecog.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3060224
