Operation Christmas Child: Samaritan’s Purse delivers gifts around the globe
By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos by AMY ROGNLIE and courtesy of SAMARITAN’S PURSE and FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ACADEMY
Since 1993, more than 232 million children in more than 170 countries and territories have received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox filled with toys, school supplies and personal care items. The project, an extension of Samaritan’s Purse, 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.
Out of 11 countries that send boxes to underprivileged children, the U.S. is the leading donor, packing and shipping more than 10.5 million boxes in 2024. Churches and individuals in Texas and Louisiana alone sent more than 956,000 boxes. Tens of thousands of volunteers from local churches around the world partner with Operation Christmas Child to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ at festive outreach events where children are surprised with these shoebox gifts.
Kirk and Laurie Bailey of Troy have been involved with Operation Christmas Child for more than 20 years. Laurie Bailey is now the OCC area coordinator for the western portion of Central Texas which encompasses Bell, Coryell and Lampasas counties.
“In Central Texas and in Bell County, our community is serving God and serving others using this ministry, which carries the Gospel locally and around the world. We are on the mission field every day,” she said. “When our feet hit the floor, we are on the mission field. We may not be able to go across the world to other countries, but packing and shipping these shoeboxes, enables my spirit and prayer to travel with them as God works miracles in all parts of the world.”
Each year, folks across Central Texas purchase or create small gifts to include in the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. At First Baptist Church of Troy, where the Baileys attend, an elderly woman knits hats — one for each of the 400 boxes this small church packed last year.
Across town, the widow’s group at First Baptist Church of Academy works year-round to make bags, purses, jump ropes, balls and dolls, even hand-sewing clothing for the dolls. Area churches and individuals collect items such as toys, school supplies, hygiene items, flashlights, hats, socks and sewing kits all year long, then have a huge box-packing party in October or November.
“We estimate that on average, 10 people are reached through each shoebox gift,” Bailey said. “I always say that one more box is one more opportunity for sharing the Gospel. Praying is the most important part of what we do in Operation Christmas Child. We pray throughout the entire process as it is one of the most, if not the most, important things we do.”
Many volunteers firmly believe that when a child opens the box, it is uniquely for that child because the items in that box reveal God’s personal love for him or her. Bailey relates a story about a particular box that went to a child in South America. A potholder was included in the box, which seemed like an unusual item to place in a box for a child.
“But God always has a bigger plan,” Bailey said. “This child was responsible for carrying the hot water for his family from the communal water station, so a potholder was just what he needed. There are many stories like this and they are just amazing!”
Also included in each Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift is a copy of “The Greatest Gift,” which is a colorful presentation booklet of the Gospel in the child’s language. Trained volunteers share the story of Jesus with all the children at each event before boxes are distributed.
Children are also given the opportunity to attend The Greatest Journey, a 12-lesson discipleship program. In 2024, every 24 hours, 11,477 kids graduated, with 8,930 children accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior, which is the ultimate goal of Operation Christmas Child.
Empty shoeboxes for packing are available directly from Operation Christmas Child or from any local Chick-fil-A restaurant in November, which is a national sponsor of Operation Christmas Child. You can also use any empty shoebox or shoebox-size plastic container. Operation Christmas Child also has red and green preprinted shoeboxes available to order year-round. Once shoeboxes are packed, families can drop them off during National Collection Week, which is Nov. 17-24 this year. Local drop-off locations, gift suggestions and more information can be found at SamaritansPurse.org/OCC.
