Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan's Purse that aims to spread the love and gospel of Christ through the simple act of giving Christmas gifts every year to children living in poverty, in over 100 different countries. This ministry began in 1990 when two people, Dave and Jill Cooke, were inspired to spread joy and love during Christmas after seeing a report on orphans in Romania. Today, thousands of churches and individuals fill shoeboxes with toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and more to be delivered to children all over the world for Christmas. It is a simple way to help those in need around the world and also to spread the joy and message of Christ during the Christmas season.
This initiative doesn't end with the shoeboxes. After the boxes have been delivered, the OCC staff begin a 12-session bible study called, The Greatest Journey, to teach children and families all about who God is and what He has done for them. Through this teaching, millions of children are coming to know Christ as their Lord and Saviour, and it all begins with a simple shoebox.
This fall, SDBC will once again become a collection centre for these shoeboxes for the South Delta Region. Empty shoeboxes will be available from the church office or on Sundays starting October 15th to take home and be filled in preparation for National Collection Week: November 13th-19th, 2023. We encourage you to take a shoebox and commit to filling it with toys, hygiene items, school supplies, tee shirts, socks or anything else to help those in need and bring them joy this Christmas. We would also encourage you to do this as a family or a community group.
We would love get you involved with this team as we have many opportunities for people to serve with Operation Christmas Child. If you have any questions about Operation Christmas Child or how you can get involved, visit the Spotlight Table after the service this Sunday to talk with a member of the team that will be heading up this initiative. You can also email Denise Johnston, the Local Logistics Coordinator.
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