The Gospel in the City of Witchcraft: Ministry During Halloween in Salem with Steven and Sarah White
What does it mean to follow Jesus in a city famous for witchcraft? Pastor Steven and Sarah White share how their family and church bring the light of Christ into the heart of Salem, Massachusetts—especially during Halloween, when the streets overflow with spiritual seekers and darkness feels most tangible.
✨ SummaryIn this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson sits down with Pastor Steven and Sarah White to explore what faithful discipleship looks like in one of America’s most spiritually charged cities. From prayer walks through the Satanic Temple to welcoming thousands of visitors during Halloween, the Whites describe how God is using gentle presence, prayer, and joy to advance the gospel in Salem. They also open up about the importance of rest, marriage, and raising children amid spiritual opposition—and how light truly shines brightest in the dark.
🔑 Main Points-
Called to Salem: How God led Steven and Sarah to pastor in the spiritual epicenter of witchcraft.
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Faith Over Fear: Learning to live and minister without fear, even in the midst of spiritual warfare.
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Halloween Outreach: Why their church turns on every light, welcomes thousands, and embodies Christ’s presence during Halloween.
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Power in Prayer: Insights from praying through Salem—including inside the Satanic Temple—and what it reveals about Christ’s authority.
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Transformation Story: A moving testimony of a man delivered from witchcraft who gave his life to Jesus and threw his cauldron into the ocean.
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Rooted in Christ: How daily rhythms of prayer, Sabbath rest, and Scripture sustain their family and ministry.
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Marriage & Mission: How the Whites protect their marriage and nurture joy together in a spiritually heavy environment.
Pray for the city of Salem this October—that Christ’s light would pierce the darkness and draw many to Himself. Subscribe to the Lausanne Movement Podcast for more stories of global mission, discipleship, and hope. Leave a review and share this episode to help others discover how the gospel is advancing in unexpected places.
🔗 Links & Resources 👥 Guest BiosSteven White has served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Salem (Massachusetts) since 2021, leading a congregation committed to embodying the gospel in its historic New England context. He holds a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology in Missiology from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, as well as a degree in Marketing from the University of Tennessee. Steven and his wife, Sarah, have two daughters.
Sarah White has served with the Lausanne Movement since 2014, where she oversees operations and logistics for global gatherings and consultations. Before joining Lausanne, she worked in higher education administration for six years at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where she also earned her Master of Divinity. She currently resides in Massachusetts with her husband, Steven, and their two daughters.
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