Operation Christmas Child

Click here to volunteer for collection week!

For more information, visit www.samaritanspurse.org or contact Kristi Clark 601-594-9832.

The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. It is an honor and privilege for Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church to serve as a collection center for this mission.

For the last several years, POPC has been partnering with Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child (OCC) ministry to share the light and hope of the gospel to some of the darkest places on earth. Since 1993, OCC has hand delivered over 135 million shoeboxes to hurting children in over 120 countries. OCC begins with shoeboxes filled with simple toys, personal care items, school supplies and handwritten notes of encouragement. These shoeboxes are then distributed by volunteers partnering with local churches all over the world. Each box is a gospel opportunity! The children receiving a box then have the opportunity to participate in a 12 week discipleship course, The Greatest Journey. This course has been translated into over 60 languages. Pear Orchard again has the privilege of serving as a Collection Center for Central Mississippi. Over 40,000 shoeboxes (enough to fill four 18 wheeler trailers) are expected to be collected in Central MS during National Collection Week.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

PRAY

No ministry is possible without the fervent prayers of all involved- for the collection, processing, and delivery of the Gospel Opportunity boxes around the world, and for the children and families of those receiving boxes. Pray that they will come to a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ & be able to share that same love with others.

PREPARE

Help enlist families, schools, other churches, scout troops, neighborhoods, community groups, and businesses to take part in creating many shoe box gifts for needy children on six continents.

PACK

You may pack a shoebox yourself! $10 is collected to help with shipping and follow-up material. Step-by-step shoe box packing instructions are available at www.samaritanspurse.org.

PROCESS

Sign up to help pack larger cartons at our Collection Center during National Collection Week. Many volunteers are needed to help process the goal of over 40,000 boxes. In addition, there is a need for persons to help in greeting, sign-in process, and prayer over each box as we receive these gifts. Children 10 and older may help at the Collection Center if accompanied by a parent or other adult. Sign up online at pearorchard.org under the Operation Christmas Child ministry tab.

Photos Courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse.