Samaritan's Purse

Operation Christmas Child provides a practical way for our congregation to share our love and the hope of Jesus Christ with children living in countries ravaged by war, famine, extreme poverty, disease, or natural disaster.  St. John’s Presbyterian Church has been a participant in this venture for a number of years … 48 boxes were sent this year.  (Photograph by Judy Geertsema).

Anyone can participate in this simple project by packing a  show box with personal gifts to be sent to a child.  Last year, nearly 7.4 million shoe boxes (723,091 from Canada) were collected worldwide and distributed to children in more than 85 countries.  Each one of these unique gifts is a special reminder to the children that receive them that someone cares about them and God loves them.

The principles of Operation Christmas Child can be reflected by three simple, yet powerful words – joy, faith and compassion.

• JOY:  To bring joy and hope to children around the world, regardless of their race, religion, or gender, by giving them an unconditional gift to remind them they are loved and not forgotten.
• FAITH: To share the even greater gift of God’s love – reflected in His Son Jesus Christ, the Christmas Child – through acts of love and kindness and when possible, through written and spoken word.
• COMPASSION: To foster compassion in Canadian children by expanding their world-view and teaching them it truly is great to give than to receive.