Operation Christmas Child Packing Party
As we are moving into the fall and starting to think ahead towards Christmas, can you remember the greatest gift that you ever received as a child? Maybe it was a favorite stuffed animal or a boom box or a car or a handmade quilt from a loved one? Did you know that there is ministry that our church participates in annually that can help give a gift to a child who has likely never before received their own present and you can be a part of this ministry? Every year since the mid1990s, our church has worked with Operation Christmas Child, a branch of Samaritan’s Purse, to help pack shoeboxes that can be sent throughout the world. These boxes go into parts of the world where people have never heard of God or his love for us through Jesus Christ and are given to the local children. When the children are gathered by the local leaders in their community they are taught about God and his love for us, then are blessed with their gift of a shoebox. After receiving their gifts, they are invited back to participate in The Greatest Journey program through Samaritan’s Purse. The Greatest Journey is a 12-session discipleship course where the children learn to know, grow in, and share Jesus Christ. This knowledge empowers them to share the love of Christ with those in their community that they are close to. Overall, it is estimated that at least 9 people learn about Jesus through the gift of each shoebox!
In past years, boxes have been packed in families’ homes as well as within the church. Packing a box is super easy and there is no age limit (young or old) on who can participate! The first thing you need to do is decide if you want to pack a box for a boy or a girl, and chose which age range your box is for (2-4 years old, 5-9 years old, or 10-14 years old). Boxes can be filled with school supplies, personal hygiene items, small toys, and a “Wow” Item! Wow items are things that may bring an extra smile to a child’s face, like a soccer ball, baby doll or stuffed animal! You will be amazed at how many things you can pack into a shoebox, and if the box rattles, more things can fit! Items can be taken out of their plastic wrappers or nested within each other to help get more in there! Adding a personal item is also recommended, a note from your family to the child receiving the box and even a picture can be included. If you send your address you may even receive a note back from the box recipient! Once your box is fully packed, remember to pray that the box will reach the exact child that it needs to. Also pray for the families that the boxes will be going to and that they will be receptive of the Good News, the pastors delivering the boxes, and the communities that can be changed by hearing of God’s great love for each of us!
You have multiple ways to participate in this ministry with VGMC! First off, please pray without ceasing for this ministry and the children that will be impacted by this simple gift. Second, plan to join us for an Operation Christmas Child Packing Party on Sunday, September 14th at 5 PM.
We have been collecting items throughout the year and will need all the help we can get stuffing all these shoeboxes! All you have to do is show up and everything else will be provided for you! After the packing party, please take boxes home with you so that your family can pack a few more! These boxes can then be returned to VGMC by Sunday, November 16th,where our church body will pray over these boxes and the lives that they will touch.
The following video shows an example of how one shoebox can make a large impact!!Bryce’s Story: Shoebox Starts Transformation (samaritanspurse.org)
For more information on Operation Christmas child, as well as seeing suggested packing list or do not include items for boxes please go to the following website: Operation Christmas Child | Shoebox Outreach of Samaritan’s Purse (samaritanspurse.org)
As we are moving into the fall and starting to think ahead towards Christmas, can you remember the greatest gift that you ever received as a child? Maybe it was a favorite stuffed animal or a boom box or a car or a handmade quilt from a loved one? Did you know that there is ministry that our church participates in annually that can help give a gift to a child who has likely never before received their own present and you can be a part of this ministry? Every year since the mid1990s, our church has worked with Operation Christmas Child, a branch of Samaritan’s Purse, to help pack shoeboxes that can be sent throughout the world. These boxes go into parts of the world where people have never heard of God or his love for us through Jesus Christ and are given to the local children. When the children are gathered by the local leaders in their community they are taught about God and his love for us, then are blessed with their gift of a shoebox. After receiving their gifts, they are invited back to participate in The Greatest Journey program through Samaritan’s Purse. The Greatest Journey is a 12-session discipleship course where the children learn to know, grow in, and share Jesus Christ. This knowledge empowers them to share the love of Christ with those in their community that they are close to. Overall, it is estimated that at least 9 people learn about Jesus through the gift of each shoebox!
In past years, boxes have been packed in families’ homes as well as within the church. Packing a box is super easy and there is no age limit (young or old) on who can participate! The first thing you need to do is decide if you want to pack a box for a boy or a girl, and chose which age range your box is for (2-4 years old, 5-9 years old, or 10-14 years old). Boxes can be filled with school supplies, personal hygiene items, small toys, and a “Wow” Item! Wow items are things that may bring an extra smile to a child’s face, like a soccer ball, baby doll or stuffed animal! You will be amazed at how many things you can pack into a shoebox, and if the box rattles, more things can fit! Items can be taken out of their plastic wrappers or nested within each other to help get more in there! Adding a personal item is also recommended, a note from your family to the child receiving the box and even a picture can be included. If you send your address you may even receive a note back from the box recipient! Once your box is fully packed, remember to pray that the box will reach the exact child that it needs to. Also pray for the families that the boxes will be going to and that they will be receptive of the Good News, the pastors delivering the boxes, and the communities that can be changed by hearing of God’s great love for each of us!
You have multiple ways to participate in this ministry with VGMC! First off, please pray without ceasing for this ministry and the children that will be impacted by this simple gift. Second, plan to join us for an Operation Christmas Child Packing Party on Sunday, September 14th at 5 PM.
We have been collecting items throughout the year and will need all the help we can get stuffing all these shoeboxes! All you have to do is show up and everything else will be provided for you! After the packing party, please take boxes home with you so that your family can pack a few more! These boxes can then be returned to VGMC by Sunday, November 16th,where our church body will pray over these boxes and the lives that they will touch.
The following video shows an example of how one shoebox can make a large impact!!Bryce’s Story: Shoebox Starts Transformation (samaritanspurse.org)
For more information on Operation Christmas child, as well as seeing suggested packing list or do not include items for boxes please go to the following website: Operation Christmas Child | Shoebox Outreach of Samaritan’s Purse (samaritanspurse.org)
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