Mission Partners

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

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MISSION

The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. Through this project, Samaritan’s Purse partners with the local church worldwide to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and make disciples of the nations. 

HISTORY

In the summer of 1993, Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham received a call from a man in England asking if he’d be willing to fill shoeboxes with gifts for children in war-torn Bosnia. Franklin agreed but figured Christmas was months away. He forgot about the promise until he received a call back around Thanksgiving asking about the gifts. 

  

Franklin asked his friend, the late Pastor Ross Rhoads of Calvary Church in Charlotte to see if he could help with the need. A Sunday shortly afterward, Pastor Rhoads demonstrated for his congregation how to fill a shoebox with simple gifts and encouraged them to include a letter to the child as well. Within weeks, the church had 11,000 shoeboxes lining their hallways. 

  

Due to their generosity and additional gifts from Canada, Samaritan’s Purse sent 28,000 shoebox gifts to children in the Balkans that Christmas. Through these gifts, it was communicated to children and their families what the angel said to the shepherds about Jesus’ birth: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” 

  

Every year since, Samaritan’s Purse has collected shoebox gifts filled with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items for children around the world. Since 1993, more than 198 million children in more than 170 countries and territories have received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox. The project delivers not only the joy of what, for many kids, is their first gift ever, but it also gives them a tangible expression of God’s love. 

  

Tens of thousands of volunteers from local churches around the world partner with Operation Christmas Child to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ at festive outreach events where children are surprised with these shoebox gifts. 

HOW TO BE INVOLVED

  • Peruse the Operation Christmas Child website and social media to learn more about their mission. 
  • Pray for OCC workers as they develop relationships around the world where the need is great and the gospel is needed. 
  • Pray for the salvation of the children and families who are recipients of a gift shoebox. 
  • Participate with FBB during it annual OCC gift shoebox drive. Get your Sunday School class or small group involved as well!