The leader's guide is designed to give you practical information and helpful suggestions
to make your church's or group's involvement in Operation Christmas Child a rewarding experience for people of all ages. With the help of caring groups like yours, millions of hurting children in faraway lands can experience hope and joy through gift-filled shoe boxes. Best of all, these simple expressions of love open doors to introduce boys and girls to God's greatest gift--Jesus Christ--through Gospel booklets and follow-up discipleship and evangelism programs.
Use the menu above to select portions of the Leader's Guide that you can read and apply to your church or group's activities this year.
My Church
Prayer Support
Prayer is vital to the success of Operation Christmas Child. We have an Operation Christmas Child prayer guide that you can keep in your Bible or place on your refrigerator as a reminder to pray for the project. Use the order form to order enough prayer guides to give one to each member of your congregation or Sunday school (see sidebar for materials to order.)
Shoe Box Dedication Sunday
Another way to encourage your congregation to pray for this project is to hold a special Shoe Box Dedication Service on or before Sunday, November 11. (Remember, the shoe boxes need to be at a drop-off location by November 19). Have members bring their completed shoe boxes to church before the service so the boxes can be prayed for and dedicated to the Lord. Join us in praying that, as shoe boxes and Christian literature are distributed through Operation Christmas Child, many children and families will come to know of God's greatest gift--His Son, Jesus Christ.
Financial Support
The cost of Operation Christmas Child including processing, transportation, and the production of Gospel literature is much more than the $7 we ask people to enclose with each shoe box. By having a special offering, everyone in your church can participate in the project, even if they are not preparing a shoe box. If your church is having a Shoe Box Dedication Service, this is a good opportunity to take up a special offering for Operation Christmas Child.
Sample Church Pulpit Announcement
"This year, our church is providing you with the unique opportunity to share Christ with a needy child using a simple shoe box. Your shoe box will reach a child in a troubled country like Uganda or El Salvador with the Gospel message."
"We are taking part in Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse--the Christian ministry led by Franklin Graham, the son of Dr. Billy Graham. People across the country are getting shoe boxes from home and filling them with small toys, school supplies, and other little gifts."
"This Christmas season, a needy child overseas will receive your shoe box, along with Christian literature in his or her own language. What an opportunity to reach these children with a clear presentation of the Gospel!"
"For more details, please pick up an Operation Christmas Child brochure in [location]. I hope you will be a part of this exciting opportunity to share God's love with a hurting child."
Sample Bulletin Announcements
1. This Christmas, you can share the love and hope of Jesus Christ with a needy child in a country like Uganda or El Salvador by using a simple shoe box. Operation Christmas Child is an easy missions project that every member and family can participate in by bringing a gift-filled shoe box to church in the next three weeks. Complete details are outlined in the Operation Christmas Child brochure enclosed in your bulletin.
2. Christmas is about sharing the gift of God's Son, Jesus Christ, with the world. You can share His love with needy children in Honduras, Kosovo, or another country by taking part in Operation Christmas Child. Complete details are in the Operation Christmas Child brochure you will receive this morning from our ushers (or that you can pick up in [location]). Help spread His love and peace to a world in need by being part of this special Christmas project.
3. Don't forget to bring your shoe box gift to church on or before, [Shoe Box Dedication Service date]. What a perfect gift to give in honor of Jesus' birthday!
Operation Christmas Child
National Collection Week
November 17-24
Ways You Can Help
Prepare a Shoe Box Gift A shoe box filled with small toys, school supplies, other gifts, and a personal note can introduce a hurting child to God's love. If you would like to pack a box, please see our step-by-step instructions.
Donate Online The processing and shipping costs are enormous for such a massive project. Unfortunately, many kids spend all they can for the gifts and cannot afford a donation to help cover these costs. You can help by "adopting" a box for $7. You can also use our convenient EZ Give page to donate online.
Where To Find
How To Pack a Shoe BoxGroup Materials Order FormLabels For a Shoe BoxThe Closest Drop Off LocationThe OCC VideoYour Local RepresentativeA Certificate of ParticipationEZ Give Donation
