The Gospel message wasn’t clear to Zahira until it was presented to her in her own language—a dialect of sign language the Cuban girl uses in the Dominican Republic. At age 14 she was invited to an Operation Christmas Child outreach event led by a local church that has a ministry to the Deaf community.…
Operation Christmas Child
Shoebox Gifts Open Gospel Doors Among Benin’s Unreached Peoples
Ogouleroun was quick with a big smile on that Sunday morning, singing joyfully near the back opening of the rough-built church in a field donated by the village chief. The wooden structure was roofed with dried palm fronds, and Ogouleroun’s hands touched that roof as he worshipped. His tall stature stood out among the other…
Operation Christmas Child
Opening Eyes and Ears in Ecuador
Nestled in the mountains of the Pichincha province of Ecuador, Pastor Segundo Santacruz leads a large church that meets in a very small building. “Amor a la Vida” (Love for Life), as the congregation is called, reaches out to the Quechua community around them in a variety of creative ways. They provide food for their…
Operation Christmas Child
Seeing with New Eyes
In many parts of Togo to be born blind is to be born cursed. Families and communities superstitiously fear the disability. Annani, who is visually impaired rather than totally blind, was nevertheless rejected by his father and scorned by teachers and classmates. In the latter case, he was shamed because he couldn’t see the blackboard…
Operation Christmas Child
The Love Behind a Shoebox Gift Surprised a Girl in Cambodia
Boun Thorne grew up in a boat village in the Southeast Asian nation of Cambodia. In the aftermath of a terrible situation, she moved at age 10 to a safe house where she received Bible teaching and an Operation Christmas Child shoebox—her first gift ever! When Boun inquired why someone would send her a gift,…
Operation Christmas Child
Press Release Operation Christmas Child October 10-12-21
NOV. 15 – 22: Drop-Off Sites to Open for Operation Christmas Child BOONE, N.C., Oct. 12, 2021—More than 4,500 locations will open to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse project. Volunteers are preparing to collect shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, Nov. 15–22, offering a curbside option. Operation Christmas Child has…
Operation Christmas Child
Press Release Operation Christmas Child October 11-15-21
This Week: Drop-off Sites Open for Operation Christmas Child Boone, N.C., Nov. 15, 2021—As the Thanksgiving season approaches, many families and children are expressing gratitude by giving back to children in need around the world. For those who are including Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts as part of their holiday, more than 4,500 drop-off sites…
Our Ministry
Newsletter February 2026
Franklin Graham Update | February Franklin Graham Update | February Helping the Cold and Hungry in Ukraine Dear Friend, February marks the fourth anniversary of the start of the conflict in Ukraine. The people there are suffering greatly. Many are without electricity and heat for long stretches each day; some have no power at all. This year's winter has been brutal—the coldest since the…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Franklin Graham Sees Relief Work in Jamaica; Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes Delivered
Franklin Graham met with storm survivors in Jamaica on Sunday in Black River. Earlier in the weekend, our DC-8 aircraft carried more than 9,000 Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to the island for children affected by Hurricane Melissa. It was the final mission for this historic aircraft. Franklin Graham visited Black River and other communities…
Operation Christmas Child
Friendly Competition in Oklahoma Multiplies the Impact of Operation Christmas Child Around the World
Oklahoma youngsters Ava and Sam hold a friendly competition each year to see who can pack the most Operation Christmas Child gift-filled shoeboxes. But, win or lose, their real goal is the same—to see kids all over the world come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Ava and Sam love to pack…
