Blog
Operation Christmas Child
The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children 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 all nations. The following verses are foundation to this vision:
- “Let the children come to Me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14).
- “Make disciples of all the nations” (Matt. 28:19).
- “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matt. 24:14).
- “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb’” (Rev. 7:9-10).
Tips for Packing a Shoebox
1. Pack a Wow! Item
Include a toy that a child will immediately love as soon as they open the box. Ideas include: a cuddly toy, a deflated football and pump, a toy truck, doll or a musical instrument.
2. Toys
A sports ball and pump, cuddly toys, dolls, toy cars, small musical instruments, yo-yos, skipping ropes, balls, small puzzles, etc…
3. School Supplies
Pens, pencils & sharpeners, crayons or markers, stamps & ink pad sets, writing pads or notebooks, solar calculators, coloring & picture books, etc…
4. Hygiene Items
Toothbrush, bars of wrapped soap, comb or hairbrush, flannel.
5. Other Items
Hat, gloves, scarf, sunglasses, cap, socks, T-shirts, hair accessories, jewelry set, watch, wind-up flashlight, etc.
DO NOT INCLUDE
Toothpaste, candy, lotions and liquids; used or damaged items; war-related items; seeds, gum, chocolate or food items; religious or political literature; medicines, aerosol cans, sharp or fragile items. Items packed from this list will be removed from shoeboxes.
Collection Week & Dedication Day at Trinity Baptist Church
Shoeboxes are available for you to pickup outside of the Worship Center. All shoeboxes should be returned on Sunday, November 12th for dedication during our Worship Service.
National Collection Week is November 13–20, 2023. Trinity Baptist Church is an official drop off location for shoeboxes.
Questions?
Call 870-779-1007
Email info@trinitytxk.com
How Your Shoebox Helps Spread the Gospel
History of Operation Christmas Child
Since 1993, God has used Samaritan’s Purse to deliver over 200 million Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to children in need and disciple 50 million of these boys and girls.
When Franklin Graham agreed to fill shoeboxes with toys and other fun items for children in war-torn Bosnia in 1993, he had no idea what the project would grow to become. Over the past 30 years, Samaritan’s Purse has collected and delivered more than 200 million Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts, thanks to a church and volunteer network in the U.S. and around the world that is hundreds of thousands strong.
In addition to bringing great joy to millions of boys and girls in need, gifts are accompanied by the Good News of Jesus Christ. Many children have been invited to follow-up discipleship through The Mailbox Club (prior to 2009) and The Greatest Journey, a 12-lesson program designed especially for shoebox recipients. We praise God that over the last three decades 50 million children have been discipled. In the past 14 years alone since The Greatest Journey was launched, over 17 million children have made decisions for Christ.
