It’s All About Jesus!
Operation Christmas Child demonstrates God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, shares the Good News of Jesus Christ. Every shoebox is an opportunity to reach a child with the Gospel, and you can be part of that journey.
Operation Christmas Child
The mission of Operation Christmas Child began in the summer of 1993 when Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, received a call from a man in England asking if he’d be willing to fill shoeboxes with gifts for children in Eastern Europe. Twenty-eight thousand shoebox gifts were sent to children in the Balkans that Christmas. Through these gifts, we communicated to children and their families what the angel said to the shepherds about Jesus’ birth: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10, ESV).
For over 30 years, Operation Christmas Child has collected shoebox gifts filled with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items for children around the world. Partners like you have made it possible to bless more than 220 million children in more than 170 countries and territories with shoebox gifts, in the Name of Jesus Christ.
Your Gift Transforms Lives
You can help send the Gospel to the ends of the earth
Seeking to further follow Jesus’ command to “make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19), we have trained millions of volunteers to teach The Greatest Journey, our 12-lesson follow-up discipleship course for shoebox recipients. Since 2009, more than 20.2 million boys and girls have accepted Jesus as their Savior during the course. Over 1,000 churches are planted annually as a result. We thank God for the opportunities He gives to share the hope of the Gospel wherever we go.
Did you know?
- $12 — Sends 1 shoebox worldwide.
- $24 — Helps 1 child attend The Greatest Journey.
- $44 — Gives 1 shoebox gift for a child.
You can help send the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
A Simple Shoebox Gift
Diego’s shoebox showed him God’s love
Diego buried his face in his hands—overwhelmed by the Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift on his lap. It was a hot day in a tiny community center on Maio, an island in Cape Verde, about 600 kilometers off the west coast of Africa. As other children dug into shoebox gifts around him, Diego finally lifted his head and looked at his.
He saw a magnifying glass, a calculator, and other school supplies, but it was a flash of green fabric that caught his eye. Pulling the item from his shoebox, Diego held bright green athletic socks for all to see. “I’m going to train with these tomorrow!” he said joyfully. The socks were perfect for soccer, and if there is one thing Diego loves, it’s kicking a ball with his friends. He had even worn his favorite soccer T-shirt to the Operation Christmas Child outreach event, but he had never owned socks like those in his shoebox—a tangible expression of God’s love for him.
“Today, I heard about Jesus and received a beautiful gift. Thank you!” Diego said. “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven’” (Matthew 19:14). It’s amazing what God can do through a simple shoebox gift.
Impact on Lives in 2024
What God did through
Operation Christmas Child in 2024
Shoebox Gifts Packed
Global & Canada
11.9 million shoebox gifts were packed worldwide, including 436,290 shoeboxes packed by Canadians.
Discipleship & Training
The Greatest Journey
5.5 million children enrolled in The Greatest Journey, taught by more than 305,000 trained teachers.
Decisions for Christ
Worldwide
More than 3.2 million children made decisions for Christ, as local churches shared the Gospel and followed up with new believers.
Why Choose Operation Christmas Child?
Eternal impact through a simple shoebox gift
Eternal Impact
Operation Christmas Child demonstrates God’s love by sending gift-filled shoeboxes to children in need around the world. Every shoebox is an opportunity to reach a child with the Gospel.
Global Reach
Operation Christmas Child is equipping local churches in over 100 countries to share the Gospel and deliver shoebox gifts at child-friendly outreach events.
Gospel Focus
The 12-lesson discipleship course, The Greatest Journey, teaches children to know Jesus as their Savior and share Him with others. Often entire families decide to follow Jesus, and churches are planted for the first time in communities.
Join Us in Changing Lives
Together, we can send Good News and great joy to children in Jesus’ Name.
As shoebox gifts are distributed, local churches share the Gospel with children and invite them to follow Jesus. Many then attend The Greatest Journey, where they learn how to grow in their faith and tell others about Him. Since 2009, more than 20.2 million boys and girls have accepted Jesus as their Savior through this discipleship course, and over 1,000 churches are planted annually as a result.
This year-end, you can help more children hear and respond to the Good News. Your generosity makes it possible for boys and girls like Diego to experience God’s love in a personal way—through a simple shoebox gift and the message of the Gospel.
