The church family at Colmar Manor Bible have partnered with Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Operation Christmas Child. Children and adults alike have packed shoeboxes filled with toys, games, and Bibles. The shoeboxes are shipped around the world and distributed to children through local churches. Read below to see how this ministry works!

 

From children to seniors, people pack shoebox gifts each year to bless children in need around the world. Parents often use the project to teach their kids about giving. Year-round volunteers support these efforts across the country.

 

Churches and groups of all sizes collect boxes from their communities. Some churches also serve as drop-off locationsfor shoeboxes the third week of November every year.

 

Thousands of volunteers serve annually inspecting and preparing shoeboxes for international shipping. Every hour work stops for a few minutes to pray for the children who will receive the boxes.

 

Long before shoeboxes arrive in more than 100 countries, volunteer National Leadership Teams train pastors and community leaders who want to share the message of the Gospel and bless children. The leaders learn how to host child-friendly outreach events, and how to implement The Greatest Journey follow-up discipleship program.

 

Pastors around the world host shoebox distributions in places where people may not know Christ and invite them to follow Him. Other churches use the boxes as resources for outreach in orphanages and other at-risk areas. In many places, they also offer The Greatest Gift, a Gospel story booklet Samaritan’s Purse developed for shoebox recipients.

 

As a result of what they learn in The Greatest Journey, boys and girls grow in Christ and share with friends and family. The students also invite others to their graduations where the Gospel is shared. This often brings parents, siblings, and friends to accept Christ and become active members in the local church. Families are reached, churches grow, new churches are started, and communities are transformed.

 

Want More Information?

Contact Maria K. for more information to see how you can serve in this amazing ministry!