Operation Christmas Child

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. 

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, children in more than 170 countries and territories 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. 

In 2023, Samaritan's Purse reached a historic milestone by giving its 200 millionth shoebox. The shoebox went to a little 8-year-old girl named Natalya who lives in war-torn Ukraine. But Natalya's story isn't unique. Children all over the world live in poverty and isolation, surrounded by war and disease. Samaritan's Purse finds children everywhere giving them a little shoebox filled with joy and hope while giving them to the gospel of Jesus Christ and the gift of eternal hope. Join VOF every year as we share our gifts that have now contributed to over 200 million boxes and countless children who have given their lives to Christ because of them.

From the shoebox packers who pray for the boys and girls who will receive their gifts to the local teachers who pray for the children who attend The Greatest Journey discipleship classes, prayer is key to the work of Operation Christmas Child. 

Begin praying now for the child who will receive YOUR box(es) and for ALL those who will receive a box, that he or she will receive the GREATEST gift of all - the gift of salvation!

From jungles to deserts, megacities to remote villages, millions of people around the world have yet to hear the life-saving Good News of Jesus Christ. Samaritan’s Purse is delivering Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to children in some of these communities to share God’s love even to the ends of the earth. 

The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) gives a clear picture of God’s desire for us to help those in desperate need wherever we find them. After describing how the Samaritan rescued a hurting man whom others had passed by, Jesus told His hearers, “Go and do likewise.” For over 50 years, Samaritan’s Purse has done its utmost to follow Christ’s command by going to the aid of the world’s poor, sick, and suffering. They are an effective means of reaching hurting people in countries around the world with food, medicine, and other assistance in the Name of Jesus Christ. 

As teams work in crisis areas of the world, people often ask, “Why did you come?” The answer is always the same: “We have come to help you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Their ministry is all about Jesus—first, last, and always. As the Apostle Paul said, “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5, NIV).

Mission Statement

Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.