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

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.

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. In many places, they also offer The Greatest Gift, a Gospel story booklet Samaritan’s Purse developed for shoebox recipients.

After hearing the Gospel Story, and how God loves them, children are surprised with a Shoebox filled with gifts from a stranger from across the globe, a Christian, who is providing a tangible example of God’s love.

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.