When I first heard of the idea, I must say I wasn’t sure about it.  My son Drew, 11 years old at the time, came home the week before Halloween and excitedly told me his plans for the night of trick or treat.  He told me that in his weekly Kids for Christ Bible study at his elementary school, he was taught how to evangelize the Gospel of Christ to strangers in a simple, effective manner.  He was taught the scriptural principles of salvation through Christ Jesus, and was also taught a simple prayer to lead a person to Christ.  If he would have stopped there, I would have had no hesitations.  However, Drew proceeded to tell me that he was encouraged to implement this plan at EVERY DOOR he knocked on as he went trick or treating!  As I hid my reluctance of the idea, I reached deep for an enthusiastic “hey, that sounds great; I can’t wait to see how it goes!”  In the back of mind, I was wrongly concerned for a couple of different reasons.

One reason was that at the time, Drew had a severe speech impediment.  It was so bad at this period in his life that many attempts at speaking resulted only in strange facial contortions followed by a failed exasperated attempt at communication which usually ended in frustration by both parties.  I just did not know how well an evangelistic message by an 11-year-old who could barely speak would be received.  Another reason for concern was that I erroneously worried that Drew would be rejected and even perhaps made fun of.  After all, this was his first year to trick or treat without the constant presence of an adult, and two of his friends would be with him.  What would they think of this idea?

I would love to exaggerate and embellish a spectacular ending to this story that included a supernatural healing of his speech, universal acceptance of Drew and his message by every door that was knocked on, and dozens of people led to Christ.  But God does not need His works exaggerated or embellished.  Although none of these things happened, what actually did happen blessed me even more.  Drew happily reported at the end of the night, that “most people were nice and patient, some closed the door on me, and nobody let me pray with them.”  At first glance this courageous effort by an 11-year-old boy trick or treating with two other 11-year old friends may appear to be disappointing, or uneventful at best.  But the story goes further.

You see, months before, Drew prayed in faith ONCE for his healing based on the Word of God.  He then THANKED God for his healing every night since, patiently awaiting the manifestation.  You see, Drew KNEW he was healed ALREADY, despite his unchanged circumstances and symptoms, because God said in His Word that he was healed.  So Drew boldly went forth, without hesitation or embarrassment, with this evangelism.  To Drew, his speech was whole, because God said it was; not because he FELT like it was. 

Furthermore, after getting details about the night of getting candy and sharing Christ, I learned that most assuredly many seeds were sown in the hearts of many from this 11-year-old child of God.  Drew was used by God in the EXACT manner in which God desired that night.  In addition, Drew proved to himself that indeed he CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens him (one of his favorite verses.)  Sharing the Gospel is an anointed event, and Drew learned that he could do it, and do it with courage and boldness derived from God.  At an early age, he learned a lesson that many of us do not get until much later in life, if at all. 

So at the end of the day, we see how God can miraculously work in the lives of children (and the adults around them) in the absence of a spectacular event.  Kids for Christ nurtured Drew’s spirit, and I am certain will continue to do so.  As a side note, Drew received his manifestation of whole speech 8 months later.  Although still speaking with a mild bit of difficulty, his speech is 85-90% of what it will eventually be; which is perfect.  And as a true child of faith, he will tell you that he was more excited about his healing when it actually occurred- the night he prayed, which was 18 months before the manifestation.  --Written by a very proud and insightful Dad