By Nadine Wilson-Harris
Christian intercessors and prayer warriors are positioning themselves for round-the-clock prayer vigils to resist, repel, and rebuke any attempt to import into the island, the North American pagan festival, Halloween. This festival is considered a form of devil worship.
Meanwhile, party promoters, hoteliers, and costume designers are anticipating a financial windfall from their Halloween-themed events that are being advertised for October 31 in Jamaica.
Reverend Oniel Richards, a senior pastor at the Shalom Christian Outreach Centre, has warned that those who participate in Halloween-themed activities are intentionally attracting a curse on themselves and their household.
“It is important to note that Halloween has satanic origins and witchcraft connections. It is definitely not something to participate in because once you get involved in it, you are opening a door to your life, and exposing your children and family to the occult world and the Satanic kingdom,” he said.
Bishop Grace Ade-Gold
But while he is aware of the devastating repercussions of facilitating this occultic celebration, Rev. Richards is not completely surprised that it is being observed by a growing number of Jamaicans who purchase lavish costumes and encourage their children to go tricking or treating.
“I realise that a lot of things that we do, we follow what is done overseas in America, and that is very much a part of our cultural ways,” he said before adding, “On the other hand, I am surprised, because we are supposed to be a Christian nation, and I would imagine that much of our population would be taught from the Bible, and since we claim God as our Eternal Father, then we expect that we would actually reject Halloween and be more discerning.”
In a bid to appease their North American guests, hotels are promising an unforgettable night, while party promoters are trying to outdo each other with their inclusion of varying elements meant to increase the fear and thrill factors. From haunted venues to spooky treats, revellers are being wheeled in by the promise of a night of frightful fun.
Bishop Dr. Grace Ade-Gold from the Arise Shine Apostolic and Deliverance Ministries has called on Christians to intercede so that the forces of darkness being ushered in through the pagan holiday will not find rest in Jamaica.
“This is just ungodliness! This is idolatry! It is the worship of Satan, and they have it as entertainment,” she lamented.
Pastor Oniel Richards
“Intercede to shut down the gates of hell; the gates of hell shall never prevail; shut it down, let the saints rise up and shut it down in Jesus’s name,” she urged.
Despite her appeal, Dr. Ade-Gold finds that some Christians have become accepting of Halloween, and it is in fact practised by some churches in North America.
“When we hear something like this, we need to pray against it. Some Christians they would just take things simple, and to them, it is fun, and they just want their children there,” she pointed out before adding, “There are some things when we allow it, we are opening the gates of hell. We are doing things that should never be done, and we are putting a curse on ourselves.”
Several high-profile individuals in Jamaica have taken part in Halloween-themed celebrations over the years. Some have posted themselves and their children in outlandish costumes on their social media platforms. Their endorsement has helped to normalise the celebrations, which are slowly being embraced in more upscale communities.
Bishop Ade-Gold believes the failure of the Christian community to outrightly renounce the pagan celebration out of fear has caused its reach to widen. She wants more persons to openly renounce the practice.
“We are quite [silent] too much or we are afraid. If we rise up, if we do something, if we block it, if we shout out and say no, then we will be under attack. Why are we afraid of Satan’s attack when Satan is afraid of us?” she asked.
“This is Satanic worship! It is obvious,” she said.