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 boxes land.”
Introduced in 2009, this 12-lesson program has taught 40.5 million children about God’s amazing love and what it means to faithfully follow Jesus Christ. Of those who have participated, 20.2 million indicated they had surrendered their lives to Christ.
According to OCC’s website, shoeboxes have reached 220 million children in more than 170 different countries and territories. The nationwide goal this year is to reach 12 million children.
Vital items like a toothbrush (no toothpaste), a bar of soap and washcloth, coloring book, crayons, and other school supplies, as well as combs, brushes, and hair accessories should be included. A stuffed animal and small toys may be added to each gender-specific box.
For those who are unable to shop for items to fill a box, the Samaritan’s Purse website offers a “Build a Box” option where participants can submit a $25 donation, and the organization will build one for you.
Enter your zip-code to find a drop-off location, see the “Build a Box” option, and discover many other helpful resources at www.samaritanspurse.org.
“These gifts open the door for us to share God’s love and the eternal hope of the Gospel with children and their families who are living in desperation and fear,” Samaritan’s Purse President and CEO Franklin Graham said in a statement. “The world is changing, but the message of the cross doesn’t change—bringing the hope of the Gospel to millions, especially the living hope of Jesus. Our mission never changes.”
