How You Can Spread The Gospel With A Shoebox

God draws people to Himself in all kinds of ways—including through shoeboxes—and you can be part of it.

Each year, Operation Christmas Child shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ with children in need around the world by gifting them shoeboxes filled with items they might not otherwise have. Samaritan’s Purse describes these gifts as “tangible expressions of God’s immense love for children.” Along with the gifts, children and communities also receive “The Greatest Journey,” which teaches them about what Jesus has done for them and how to grow in their relationship with Him.

Since 1993, Samaritan’s Purse has delivered over 232 million shoebox gifts to children in more than 170 countries and territories. Through those gifts, millions of children have heard the good news of Jesus Christ. This year, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoebox gifts to reach another 12 million children – with over 600,000 shoeboxes coming from BRIGHT-FM listeners and the Mid-Atlantic area!

It might be too early to start decking the halls, but it is the perfect time to get involved and pack your own shoebox for a child in need. Are you ready? Here are some resources to help you get started.

Who can pack a shoebox?

Anyone and everyone. Individuals, families, churches, students, and small groups have all packed shoeboxes, and every gift shares the message of Jesus Christ and God’s love.

Where can I pick up an empty shoebox?

Thursdays in October, the BRIGHT-FM team will be at locations around Maryland handing out empty shoeboxes to fill for a deserving child. Stop by, grab an empty shoebox, and enjoy a free cup of coffee from Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck as a thank you. For details about where to find us and when, go here.

If you cannot make it to an OCC Coffee Break, you can use an empty shoebox of your own or order an Operation Christmas Child shoebox here.

What should I pack in my shoebox?

When packing a shoebox, you have options. You can choose to pack a box for a girl or a boy and select the age range you want to shop for. Here’s a downloadable list of gift suggestions (including items not to pack) from Samaritan’s Purse to take shopping with you. Remember to pray over your box and ask God to guide you to items that the child who receives it will love. Not able to get out and shop for a shoebox? You can build one online!

Where can I drop off my completed shoebox?

National Collection Week is November 17-24, and Samaritan’s Purse will be collecting all Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes at that time. The full list of drop-off locations will be posted on their website in early October. If you have further questions about Operation Christmas Child, make sure to visit the Samaritan’s Purse website here. There are a ton of resources (in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Korean, and Chinese), including coloring pages.

What happens after I drop off my shoebox?

Each shoebox is carefully inspected and made ready for international shipment by volunteers at an Operation Christmas Child Processing Center. This is the last stop before the shoebox gifts are shipped around the world. Whether you’re interested in serving as an individual or with a group of any size at the Processing Center in Windsor Mill, sign up now to have a direct part in blessing children overseas with the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

All images courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse.