Northern Ghana is known for its wildlife—elephants, buffalo, and leopards roam the Savannah region—but also boasts a mosque that dates back to the 1400s. This ancient building made of mud and reeds stands is a source of pride for local Muslims, including the Kamara people. They saw Christians as unwanted foreigners, that is, until a…
Our Ministry
Newsletter September 2025
Franklin Graham Update | September Franklin Graham Update | September It's All About Jesus Dear Friend, Another season of Operation Christmas Child is just around the corner! In a few weeks, millions of God's people will be packing and praying over their shoebox gifts that Samaritan's Purse will send to children across the world. We give glory to God that in over three decades we…
Operation Christmas Child
Year-round Volunteer: Thinking Locally—and Globally—with Operation Christmas Child
Ben Smith serves in media support with Operation Christmas Child in southwest Indiana. Thinking Locally—and Globally—with Operation Christmas Child Indiana year-round volunteer plays a crucial role in promoting local involvement with the worldwide project that delivers shoebox gifts to children in need. Ben Smith knows the power of a good story and the difference it…
Animals, Agriculture & Livelihoods
Growing Faith and Local Gardens in Northwest Liberia
For the first time in her life, Teter Washington learned the importance of churning up the soil before applying fertilizer, and she’s learned the technique of growing plants in bags filled with water and nutrients. These simple improvements to her farming practices have produced higher quality and higher quantity harvests. And this increase in her…
Operation Christmas Child
‘Thank You So Much for Bringing Me to Jesus’
Millions of Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts are packed for boys and girls in need around the world each year, many of which include an email or physical address inviting the child to write back. If you have ever packed one of those boxes and wished you could hear from the child who received it,…
Media
Hurricane Ian Response
Media Resources Media Requests Press Releases Fact Sheets B-roll Audio PSA Photos Hurricane Ian Response Press Kit Press Releases October 6 Franklin Graham is Going to Southwest Florida to Encourage People Devastated by Hurricane Ian and Thank Volunteers Serving on the Ground Samaritan’s Purse has mobilized an army of 550 volunteers—with 2,500 more on the…
Operation Christmas Child
Shoebox Packers Photos
Shoebox Packers These photographs are available for news media outlet use in coverage of Samaritan's Purse-related stories. If your news outlet uses a photograph, please credit: “Courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse.” These photographs are not for commercial use. Details ⋮ United StatesIncluding a letter in your shoebox gift will delight the heart of the child who…
Operation Christmas Child
Idaho Woman Ignites a Passion for Shoebox Ministry in Local Church
Michelle Morgan celebrated her 50th birthday in an unusual way. Instead of cakes, cards, and carefully wrapped presents, she wanted shoeboxes. Fifty of them. And she wanted toys, school supplies, and hygiene items to pack inside of them. Michelle planned to prepare 50 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes for children in need overseas to commemorate her…
Operation Christmas Child
Shoebox Packers Go From Devastation to Celebration
She peered through a busted window into the church basement and saw that floodwaters from Hurricane Helene had left a muddy mess. The Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift items that First Baptist Church of Damascus, Virginia, had collected during the year were now wet and filthy. Jaz, age 11, saw something that gave her hope—a…
Operation Christmas Child
NOV 26: DENVER GRAND OPENING AND DEDICATION EVENT
Operation Christmas Child Commemorates 25th Anniversary, Opens Permanent Facility for Rocky Mountain Region DENVER, Nov. 23, 2018 — Volunteers, Denver residents and project organizers are celebrating the grand opening of a permanent ministry center for Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization. Since 1999, Denver has offered a seasonal home to one of…
