Operation Christmas Child Stories - Operation Christmas Child

Stories from the Field

Operation Christmas Child

After Overcoming Leukaemia, Shoebox Recipient Disciples Others

9 May 2025

When a student of The Greatest Journey in Panama fell ill, his teacher brought the discipleship lessons to him in the hospital. Today, he teaches others the same Bible course.

Operation Christmas Child

God Uses Shoebox Gifts to Start a Church in Ghana

14 April 2025

Once closed to the Gospel, the Kamara people now have a thriving congregation.

Operation Christmas Child

Shoebox Joy in Ethiopia for the First Time in Nearly 30 Years

25 March 2025

For the first time in nearly 30 years, the red and green Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts arrived on the laps of children in Ethiopia.

Operation Christmas Child

Idol Worshippers Become Evangelists Through Operation Christmas Child in Nigeria

4 December 2024

Boys and girls in Nigeria hear the Gospel when they receive Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts. They, in turn, lead their community to follow Jesus Christ instead of practicing witchcraft.

Operation Christmas Child

Claudia’s Father in Heaven

19 November 2024

An Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift transformed Claudia’s life as a child, and now, she leads her church to change the lives of countless other children through the same ministry.

Operation Christmas Child

Planting Gospel Seeds in Africa

17 October 2024

Operation Christmas Child is helping to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to isolated mountain communities in Ghana.

Operation Christmas Child

Aussie Family Packing 1,000 Shoebox Gifts

3 October 2024

Meet Matilda Stevenson, a young girl from Harvey, WA, on a mission to pack 1,000 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. What began as a family tradition has grown into a project that’s inspiring her community.

International Disaster Relief

Supplies Delivered to Hurting Survivors in Papua New Guinea

5 September 2024

In July of 2024, Samaritan’s Purse International Relief responded to the survivors displaced not only by the landslide disaster but from months of tribal fighting.

Operation Christmas Child

Deaf Children Learn About Jesus

5 September 2024

Operation Christmas Child opens doors to the Gospel among children who had never heard about God’s love for them.

Operation Christmas Child

Gospel Reaches Deaf Communities Through Shoebox Gifts

2 September 2024

A hearing impaired pastor has a unique vision for getting the Good News to this often overlooked group.

Operation Christmas Child

Shoebox Gifts Spark Revival in Paraguay

20 August 2024

The Gospel is transforming the hearts of children and healing broken communities across the South American country through Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts.

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child Ministers in Tahiti

13 August 2024

The Summer 2024 Olympic surfing competition in French Polynesia drew global attention. Meanwhile, a Samaritan’s Purse partner in a town nearby is helping underprivileged Tahitian children and families overcome spiritual poverty and neglect.

International Disaster Relief

Grief Gives Way to Great Joy in Papua New Guinea

1 August 2024

On July 13, chaperoned by the national guard, local churches and Samaritan’s Purse ministry partners led a convoy of trucks filled with 1,600 shoebox-gifts on a 6-hour journey through the highlands of PNG.

Operation Christmas Child

August Update: Operation Christmas Child Season is Here

31 July 2024

Franklin Graham shares that it’s not just the joy of watching children opening gifts inside their shoeboxes, there’s the greater joy in giving the kids the opportunity to hear about Jesus.

Operation Christmas Child

Hope in the Philippines

31 July 2024

Two of our regional ministry leaders recently visited Lapu-Lapu City in the Philippines where God opened doors for them to bring gift-filled shoeboxes to children in desperate need.

Operation Christmas Child

Making Disciples in Ghana

25 July 2024

After receiving an Operation Christmas Child shoebox and graduating from The Greatest Journey, 11-year-old Epiphani is now sharing the Gospel with her community.

Operation Christmas Child

Every Minute Five Children Make Decisions for Christ

24 July 2024

Your generous support of Operation Christmas Child’s The Greatest Journey discipleship program results in incredible changes every minute of every day.

Operation Christmas Child

Into a War Zone with Shoebox Gifts and Groceries

16 July 2024

In one city in Asia, brutal fighting left homes and businesses in ruins and caused the death of dozens of citizens.

Operation Christmas Child

Lim Liya’s Greatest Journey: A Shoebox, A Dream, and Jesus

12 July 2024

On receiving a shoebox gift, 12-year-old Lim Liya from Cambodia excitedly shared, “All these things I never expected to have. I felt cared for and loved by someone I don’t know.”

Operation Christmas Child

Young People Play Vital Role in Suriname’s Shoebox Outreach

8 July 2024

It is so encouraging to see youth—teens—teaching and discipling children as part of Operation Christmas Child. Read Charahja’s story.

Operation Christmas Child

Bringing Good News and Great Joy to Remote Island Nation

2 May 2024

Despite the nation’s vast natural resources, poverty abounds, as does crime, drug use, gambling, and single-parent homes. Many of the children who live here are emotionally and socially neglected.

Operation Christmas Child

Scaling Mountains with Shoebox Gifts and the Gospel

1 February 2024

Through rough terrains, mountains, and a nearly 56km trek from the nearest town, a small ministry team is reaching a remote Filipino community with the Good News of Christ’s love through Operation Christmas Child.

Operation Christmas Child

38,000 Shoebox Gifts Open Hearts in Storm-Weary Mexico

18 January 2024

As Samaritan’s Purse continues work in Mexico after Hurricane Otis, churches are reaching children and families through Operation Christmas Child and The Greatest Journey.

Operation Christmas Child

Shining the Light of Jesus Christ in the Philippines

5 January 2024

Children in a Philippines slum community are coming to faith in Jesus Christ through Operation Christmas Child and The Greatest Journey.

Operation Christmas Child

Celebrating 50 Million Children Discipled

6 December 2023

Operation Christmas Child praises God for 50 million children discipled through The Greatest Journey since 1993!

Operation Christmas Child

Shoebox Gifts Bring Joy to Namibia

20 September 2023

For most of us the story of Creation is familiar, but for remote communities in Mongolia it’s the first time they’re hearing it.

Operation Christmas Child

Australian and New Zealand Shoebox Gifts Help Spread Gospel to Remote Parts of the Philippines

1 September 2023

Filipino communities are hearing the Good News through Operation Christmas Child and The Greatest Journey.

Operation Christmas Child

Shoebox Gifts Help Share Christ in Muslim Majority Mongolian Region

24 August 2023

God is using Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to open doors in Kazakh communities that were previously closed by tradition and other religious beliefs.

Operation Christmas Child

Making Disciples in Mongolia

18 July 2023

For most of us the story of Creation is familiar, but for remote communities in Mongolia it’s the first time they’re hearing it.

Operation Christmas Child

God Is Using The Greatest Journey to Transform Lives in Latin America

29 June 2023

Empowered by discipleship through Samaritan’s Purse, children all over Latin America are reaching their families and communities for Jesus Christ!

Operation Christmas Child

Shoebox Gifts Open Gospel Doors For First Time in Benin

6 June 2023

A Sharman and his community experienced God’s truth love through Operation Christmas Child.

Operation Christmas Child

Never Too Old To Serve The Lord!!

18 May 2023

Meet Marge, a true Aussie shoebox hero at 99 years old! For the past 10 years, she’s been sewing T-shirts, shorts, skirts, and bags for shoeboxes.

Australian Disaster Relief

National Volunteer Week

17 May 2023

We are immensely grateful for all the amazing volunteers who wholeheartedly contribute their time and efforts to support helping people in Jesus’ name.