Harvest Fest Gives Alternative to Halloween’s Trick or Treating

Halloween is the holiday that is celebrated by many in the United States.  Many people are concerned with finding the right costume, purchasing multiple bags of candy, decorating your house and conquering yet another haunted house.

For faith-based church Word of Faith International Christian Center, in Southfield, Michigan, they have the alternative to Halloween and that’s Harvest Fest. Harvest Fest is an accumulation of carnival like games, a concert, a dramatic play and most importantly winning souls to Christ. The first Harvest Fest debuted in October of 1999 under then youth Pastor Joel E. Gregory.

On Wednesday, Oct. 31, doors opened at 6 p.m. for the public to grab a seat in the sanctuary for the 7 p.m. showing of the debut play “Bully” written by playwright and director, Rena Marion.

Marion, a youth leader, has been with the pre-teen auxiliary Glory Phi God since 1987-88. “I believe the drama ministry started not long afterwards. The original crew was Terry Lyons(head), Bonnie McWilliams, Seneta Pope, Vernita Journey and me,” says Marion. She also states that, “Co-director, Seneta Pope, has contributed to the writing as well.”

When asked what is the goal of Harvest Fest, Marion clearly states three objectives: “First to support the Youth Pastor by following the direction of the Holy Spirit to minister the word of God through the arts, touch the lives of the people so they have a desire to live Christ-centered lives. Second, to grow the young actors, to give them an outlet for their gifts, to build their confidence in themselves and in God’s ability to work through them. Thirdly, to have a good time building relationships with the youth; letting them know that being a Christian is not boring, but exciting and rewarding.”

In short, with BULLY, “I want to depict a real-life scenario of what our young people are dealing with on a daily basis, that as believers they can overcome circumstances (bullying, abuse in home, low self-esteem) and WIN. With Jesus, they WIN, says Marion.

As the play ends, youth Pastor Sean McDowell comes center stage and invite those who would like to come up for prayer and or salvation. Before leaving he introduces musical hip-hop gospel group Rhema Soul to the stage. Harvest Fest has now made Halloween about soul winning and being a light to those in darkness.