Good afternoon family,
If you can, please pray about blessing a child (or children) during this upcoming Christmas season.
Humbled to serve,
Jorge
I am a small piece of a broken mirror reflecting something great. ~ Jorge Alessandri
Mission
The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to provide God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
History
In the summer of 1993, Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham received a call from a man in England asking if he’d be willing to fill shoeboxes with gifts for children in war-torn Bosnia. Franklin agreed, but figured Christmas was months away. He forgot about the promise until he received a call back around Thanksgiving asking about the gifts.
Franklin asked his friend the late Pastor Ross Rhoads of Calvary Church of Charlotte to see if he could help with the need. A Sunday shortly afterward, Pastor Rhoads demonstrated for his congregation how to fill a shoebox with simple gifts and encouraged them to include a letter to the child as well. Within weeks, the church had 11,000 shoeboxes lining their hallways.
Due to their generosity and additional gifts from Canada, Samaritan’s Purse sent 28,000 shoebox gifts to children in the Balkans that Christmas.
Every year since, Samaritan’s Purse has collected shoebox gifts filled with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items for children around the world. Since 1993, more than 178 million children in more than 150 countries have received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox. The project delivers not only the joy of what, for many kids, is their first gift ever, but also gives them a tangible expression of God’s love.
Tens of thousands of volunteers from local churches around the world partner with us to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ at festive outreach events where children are surprised with these shoebox gifts.
This Year
The COVID-19 global pandemic has disrupted everyday life for millions of people around the world. Yet, Samaritan’s Purse continues to share the eternal hope of the Gospel and to serve in Jesus’ Name.
We want boys and girls around the world to know that God loves them and has not forgotten them during this time of fear and uncertainty. Children need great joy now more than ever. Most of all, they need the hope found only in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Will you partner with us to share that glorious hope with boys and girls around the world—many of whom have never heard the Name of Jesus?
We’re looking forward to a great Operation Christmas Child season as we prayerfully consider ways to modify our collection and processing in light of COVID-19. We are already monitoring local, state, and national guidelines and making adjustments to help protect the health of those involved in preparing shoebox gifts.
CLICK HERE TO BUILD A SHOEBOX ONLINE NOW!
The Florida Keys chapter of The Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers-USA (FCPO) is in the early stages of formation at this time and is looking for individuals who are interested in joining as founding members and who are willing to take on various leadership roles within the newly forming chapter. Regular membership is open to all active or retired law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and peace officers. Associate membership is open to all interested persons, including support personnel, spouses, and reserve officers. Spouses of regular membership applicants are automatically granted associate membership at the time of enrollment. Future spouses of regular members will also be granted this same privilege. Please visit https://www.floridakeysfcpo.com/membership- to become a member today!