Serve Our Community

Christmas

Operation Christmas Child and Angel Tree

Operation Christmas Child

The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. Since 1993, more than 220 million children in more than 170 countries and territories have received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox. The project 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.

Shoebox recipients are then offered The Greatest Journey, a dynamic follow-up discipleship course. Since 2009, 40.5 million children have enrolled in this 12-lesson program to learn how to follow Christ and share Him with others. More than 20.2 million of these boys and girls have made a decision to accept Jesus as their Savior during the course.

Help us pack 4,700 shoeboxes for kids around the world! Operation Christmas Child delivers great joy and the Good News of Jesus Christ to children in need around the world through gift-filled shoeboxes. Each box packed full of quality toys, school supplies and personal care items becomes a tangible expression of God’s immense love for the child.

For many, it is their first gift ever!

Build your shoebox at home and return it to your campus lobby the weekend of November 9 & 10!

How to pack a shoebox

1. Find a Shoebox– Start with an average-size cardboard or plastic shoebox. If you want to wrap it, cover the box and lid separately. You can use your own shoeboxes or order our colorful preprinted ones, available in both cardboard and plastic. These sturdy options hold up well and can be lasting gifts in themselves for children to store cherished items.
2. Fill it with Gifts– Select a medium to large “wow” item such as a soccer ball with pump or stuffed animal, then fill with other fun toys, hygiene items and school supplies. Don’t forget to also include a personal note and photo—sometimes these are the child’s favorite things to receive!
3. Pray– Most importantly, “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17) for the child who will receive your shoebox gift. Please also pray for their family to also be receptive to the Good News of Jesus Christ, the pastor of the church who delivers your shoebox gift and their community to be transformed by the Gospel.
4. Donate $10 per Shoebox– A donation of $10 per box is critical to cover shipping and other project costs. For easiest processing, you can give online through our Label Options or Ways to Give pages, or by mailing a check in the postage-paid envelope available in our print brochure. If you use an online option on the Labels page, you can Follow Your Box and discover the destination of your gift.
5. Drop Off– Build your shoebox at home and return it to your campus lobby the weekend of November 9 & 10!

How to participate online

In just a few simple clicks, you can bring joy to the heart of a child by selecting toys and other fun items for a shoebox. You can even include a letter and photo if you’d like! Click below to build a box online.

Angel Tree

Angel Tree Christmas equips churches and other organizations to restore and strengthen relationships between incarcerated parents and their children and families. Every Christmas, Angel Tree mobilizes local churches and organizations to minister to hundreds of thousands of children by sharing the Gospel through a purchased gift, a prayer and a personal message of love on behalf of their mom or dad behind bars.

When you register to be part of Angel Tree, you are committing to buying a gift ($25) for a child on behalf of their parent who is incarcerated. The gift will be delivered to their home in time for Christmas, which is within 30 minutes of your campus.

How to participate

1. Sign up for Angel Tree by clicking your campus link below. Registration is open from October 13 through November 10.
2. Return your new gift(s) in an open gift bag to the Serve Our Community collection area in your campus lobby by December 8.

How to Participate Online

Your generosity will make a difference in an Angel Tree Child(s) by showing the love of Jesus and helping them know they are valued, unlocking their potential for a brighter future! Click the button below to donate.

How to Volunteer

If you are not in a position to buy a gift but would like to be involved in this ministry, there are other volunteer opportunities available! (registration, sorting, shopping, wrapping and/or delivering). Complete the form below to get involved.