We participate yearly in an exciting ministry called Operation Christmas Child. Partnering with Samaritans Purse, we pack shoeboxes with gifts and supplies for children around the world and Samaritan’s Purse delivers the boxes along with the good news of Jesus!
OCC boxes will be available at Cedar Hills beginning Oct. 24 and are due to the church Nov. 14. You can also use any shoebox! It does not have to be the ‘official’ box. How to pack a shoebox.
Here is how it works:
The Amazing Journey of a Simple Shoebox Gift
Begins with You and Results in Evangelism, Discipleship, and Multiplication
Packing
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.
Collecting
Churches and groups of all sizes collect boxes from their communities. Some churches also serve as drop-off locations for shoeboxes the 2nd week of November every year.
Shipping
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.
Worldwide Distribution
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.
Outreach Events
Pastors around the world host outreach events 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, and invite children to participate in The Greatest Journey discipleship program.
Discipleship & Multiplication
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. Go Deeper ￫