What We Do

Operation Christmas Child is a hands-on way for Australians and New Zealanders to bless children in need around the world by filling shoeboxes with toys, hygiene items, school supplies and other fun gifts. We collect the gift-filled shoeboxes and distribute them to children in over 100 countries in the Name of Jesus Christ.

After receiving a shoebox gift, many children have the opportunity to enrol in The Greatest Journey – our dynamic, 12-lesson Bible study course that guides children through what it means to faithfully follow Jesus Christ.

The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to provide God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

2024 National Collection Weeks

Australia: 14th – 26th October
New Zealand: 21st to 26th October

The Impact in 2023

11

MORE THAN 11 MILLION SHOEBOXES PACKED AROUND THE WORLD

Shoeboxes are packed by people globally, and they are sent to children in over 100 countries.

5

MORE THAN 5 MILLION CHILDREN ENROLLED IN THE GREATEST JOURNEY

Children are given the choice to enrol in a 12-week discipleship course called The Greatest Journey

The Amazing Journey of a Shoebox Gift

Begins with You and Results in Evangelism, Discipleship, and Multiplication

Packing

From children to seniors, people pack shoebox gifts each year to bless children in need around the world. Parents often use the project to teach their kids about giving. Volunteers support these efforts across the country.

 

Collecting

Individuals, churches, schools and community groups of all sizes collect boxes from their communities. Some churches also serve as drop-off locations for shoeboxes during National Collection every year.

Shipping

Thousands of volunteers serve annually inspecting and preparing shoeboxes for international shipping. Every day throughout processing, we stop and pray for the children who will receive the boxes.

Worldwide Distribution

Long before shoeboxes arrive in more than 100 countries, volunteer National Leadership Teams train pastors and community leaders who want to share the message of the Gospel and bless children. The leaders learn how to host child-friendly outreach events, and how to implement The Greatest Journey follow-up discipleship program.

Outreach Events

Pastors around the world host outreach events in places where people may not know Christ and invite them to follow Him. Other churches use the boxes as resources for outreach in orphanages and other at-risk areas.

Discipleship & Multiplication

As a result of what they learn in The Greatest Journey, boys and girls grow in Christ and share with friends and family. The students also invite others to their graduations where the Gospel is shared. This often brings parents, siblings, and friends to accept Christ and become active members in the local church. Families are reached, churches grow, new churches are started, and communities are transformed.

It All Starts With You!

Join what God’s doing and pack a shoebox

Stories from the Field