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About Operation Christmas Child

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.

“Let the children come to Me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:14

Samaritan’s Purse has collected shoebox gifts filled with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items for children around the world. Since 1993, more than 188 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 also gives them a tangible expression of God’s love.

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

It's About More Than A Shoebox

Seeking to follow Jesus’ command to “make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19), we have trained over 1.3 million volunteers from these congregations to teach The Greatest Journey, our dynamic follow-up discipleship course for shoebox recipients. Since 2009, 26.5 million children have enrolled in this 12-lesson program to learn how to follow Christ and share Him with others. More than 12.5 million of these boys and girls have made a decision to accept Jesus as their Savior during the course. Many are now praying for and sharing their faith with family and friends. As a result of this ever-expanding witness, new churches are starting and communities are being transformed!

Opportunities to Serve

There are four ways to pack a shoebox at FBCT!

• Empty shoeboxes will go out at the mission wall on the 4th Sunday in October.
  • Take a shoebox home
  • Fill it with approved items for a child ages 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14
  • Pray for the child that will receive this box
  • Include $9.00 for shipping (make checks to Samaritan's Purse)
  • Bring it back to the mission wall by the 2nd Sunday in November
• Fill a box online. Watch for the link in the worship guide to fill a box online
• Come to the Packing Party at the church! Check Helper Helper for the date and time and sign up so we know who to expect.
• Sign up to travel to the sorting center in Atlanta, GA. Watch Helper Helper for the date and time.