By Cara Beth Lewis
Christmas is a time of giving, and Operation Christmas Child is a wonderful giving ministry that is dedicated to sharing Christmas joy and the love of Christ with others. It is one of many ministries by the Samaritan’s Purse Organization, which is a non-denominational Christian relief organization that has been helping those in need for over fifty years, globally.
Operation Christmas Child serves by sending shoeboxes with toys, books, and other items to children in need across the world. Lynn Ransom, Coordinator of the Carolina Bay Area Team, says their mission is “to share the love of Christ in a tangible way to the hurting and needy children around the world.” And according to samaritanspurse.org, they are “helping in Jesus’ name.”
The Operation Christmas Child ministry has sent shoeboxes to 160 countries all over the world, and each child that receives a box is invited to participate in a 12-week discipleship program that introduces Christ and how to have a relationship with Him.
The Carolina Bay Area OCC Team consists of Bladen and Columbus counties. Ransom says that she serves in this area by leading the team to share more about the ministry and encouraging other churches in the area to participate. In the Carolina Bay Area, there are 96 participating churches, and the OCC team always welcomes more churches to the ministry with open arms. This year, the local area sent 8,904 shoeboxes.
These small shoeboxes filled with simple items can change the life of a child in need. For some, this is the first gift they ever receive. Operation Christmas Child brings excitement and the love of Jesus to children who have never had the opportunity to experience something like that. In the words of Ransom, “What a blessing to know we played a small part in introducing them to the Father.”
Learn more about Operation Christmas Child here:
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/
Donate to Operation Christmas Child here:
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/ways-to-give/
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