By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists will have the opportunity to join thousands across the world to share the ultimate gift to children in other countries through Operation Christmas Child. Formed in 1993 by Samaritan’s Purse, OCC allows churches and individuals to bring gift-filled shoeboxes to relay stations across the country that are then processed and shipped to local partners around the world with a means of reaching out to children in their communities with the good news of Jesus Christ. National Collection Week is Nov. 18-25. Louisiana Christian University, in its fourth year of participating in OCC, is collecting shoeboxes inside Martin Performing Arts Center through Nov. 15. “As a member of the Operation Christmas Child Student Ministry team for this region, I am the Project Leader for Operation Christmas Child Ministry on our campus,” said Tabitha Huffman, LCU professor of theatre. “Last year our campus packed and sent out 178 shoeboxes...which was over double the year before! This means 178 needy children overseas received our gifts that include a message about Jesus through ‘The Greatest Journey’ discipleship program that is delivered wherever the … [Read more...]