The Christmas spirit is famous for inciting charitable acts, and Operation Christmas Child is a great way to practice it throughout the year. The church staff at Oak View Baptist Church in High Point, NC, are encouraging residents to take part in Operation Christmas Child as a way to deliver Christmas to children around the world and create a global community of fellowship.

What Is Operation Christmas Child?

Operation Christmas Child is a charity developed and run by Samaritan’s Purse — International Relief. The goal is to encourage American youth at their Baptist church to create Christmas “packages” throughout the year for underprivileged children in developing countries.

It celebrates both the journey of the package, as well as the spiritual journey of the child as they learn more about their religion and help spread the gospel around the world. Operation Christmas Child delivers gifts to over 100 countries where volunteers also train local church and community leaders on how to share the word of God.

How Can I Take Part?

To take part in Operation Christmas Child, pick a shoe box and demographic. It can be a boy or girl between the ages of 2 and 4, 5 and 9, or 10 and 14. Throughout the year, fill the shoebox with both fun and useful gifts, such as toys, hygiene products, and school supplies.

It’s important to pray for the child you’re giving the box to. Then, drop your shoe box off at your local church or give it to your youth group leader. It will then be delivered to a child in need, along with the opportunity for them to enroll in a local Bible study program.

Oak View Baptist Church will continue to run Operation Christmas Child until October of this year. To take part, speak with church staff or stop by to learn more about the packaging process and to receive gift ideas. For more information, call (336) 841-6511 to speak with their staff and visit their website and Facebook to learn more about their church.