Operation Christmas Child

A project of Samaritan’s Purse

Shoe Box initiative draws record participation from FBA departments and members

On November 1, 2009, Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, preached the opening message of the 2009 World Missions Conference.  He shared a powerful message and challenged the congregation to serve God faithfully, even when it requires tremendous sacrifice to follow His will for our lives. Franklin shared many examples of how God has used the obedience of individuals to make an eternal impact in the lives of others. One of the illustrations he focused on was Operation Christmas Child (OCC), a project of Samaritan’s Purse, which was started in 1993. Since then more than 61 million shoe boxes have been packed, shipped and delivered across the globe, and this year OCC hopes to deliver the shoe box gifts and the Good News of God’s love to 8 million children around the world.

National Collection Week was November 16-23, and FBA was once again involved in this simple, hands-on missions project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas – Jesus Christ.  In addition to serving as a relay center for FBA members, FBA was a collection center for Metro Atlanta churches and other participating groups. “This has really been a church-wide effort with many ministry departments participating,” said Deborah Parsons, FBA Collection Center Coordinator for OCC.  “What a privilege to have Franklin Graham here to encourage the congregation to participate and to share first-hand stories of how God has used the shoe boxes to touch and transform lives.”

Dr. Stanley challenged the church to do 6,000 shoe boxes, and it was so exciting to see individuals and departments setting their own goals and working together in this effort.  Here are a few examples:

ADULT CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA

FBA’s Worship Choir and Orchestra kicked off the OCC effort by collecting 300 shoe boxes!  These boxes were arranged in the form of a Christmas tree and displayed in the Central Rotunda on November 1 with the goal of encouraging greater involvement.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

The Children’s Ministry promoted OCC extensively, challenging each child to give one shoe box each and each teacher to give two shoe boxes – one for both a boy and a girl. “Every Sunday in November, the kids would come up to us asking for more boxes to fill,” said Louis Holmes, Children’s Ministry Assistant. “It was awesome to see the kids’ enthusiastic desire to help other children around the world through this meaningful project.”  The Children’s Ministry staff also helped collect the boxes from different groups who came by FBA during National Collection Week.

WOMEN’S MINISTRY

The Women’s Ministry hosted a “Christmas Scrapper and Service Day” on November 14 where they put together 100 shoe boxes and made 100 Christmas cards for our Faith Promise missionaries. Over 50 women attended this fun and festive event, and some mothers even brought their daughters along to participate in the project. “What a great privilege for the Women of FBA to come together to prepare 100 shoe boxes for OCC,” said Lisa Ryan, Director of Women’s Ministry. “As a mother I know the joy of a simple gift in the life of a child. What a joy to see mothers and daughters working together, carefully packing each box with treasures, anticipating the delight it will bring to a child. We prayed over all the boxes, praying that each child will be touched by the life-giving women of FBA and the Life-giver, Jesus Christ.  I can’t wait for next year!”

SINGLES MINISTRY

The Singles Ministry hosted a shoe box packing party during Sunday school on November 22. Singles Minister Keith Langland challenged the Singles to collect 400 boxes as a department, and FBA member Tim Owen of SingleLife helped coordinate this activity. “OCC is a blessing for everyone who participates,” said Owen.  “It is a fun way for each of us to share the love of Christ and reach someone around the world who otherwise would not get to experience Christmas.”