By Marla Jones, Reporter • marla@southerntorch.com (Photo by Marla Jones)
PICTURED (L to R): Amy Glover, Charlie Glover, Adrienne Guice, Lamesa Bowman, Danny Stewart, Carol Stewart, Sharon Byrd, Debbie Wofford, Tyler Ledford, Gerald Bowman. (Middle Row): Brody Freeman, Gill Farmer, Mason Farmer, Amanda Whitfield, Anna, Katie Avans, Madison, Jeanlyn, Bo Waldrop. (Front Row): Carson Freeman and Pastor Carl Partain.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — It seems like Christmas comes a little bit earlier every year. In the case of preparing for this year’s Operation Christmas Child, churches across the United States have been gathering supplies to ship shoe boxes and spread the gospel since early August, some since last year’s operation.
Operation Christmas Child, a part of Samaritan’s Purse, is a very special ministry run by Billy Graham’s son, Franklin Graham. Participants from across the nation fill shoeboxes with items that appeal to children ages 2-14. Those shoeboxes are then sent overseas to kids, who open the boxes for Christmas and have the opportunity to receive the story of Jesus, most likely for the first time in their lives.
The official drop off location for DeKalb County this year is Pine Ridge Baptist Church. Amy Heard Glover, the Central Drop Off Team Leader, has devoted many hours to this project. Each box that leaves the church will be prayed over before they head to Atlanta.
The church will be open every day during National Collection Week. The hours are:
- Monday, November 12 from 10am to 6pm
- Tuesday, November 13 from 10am to 6pm
- Wednesday, November 14 from 10am to 7pm
- Thursday, November 15 from 10am to 6pm
- Friday, November 16 from 10am to 5pm
- Saturday, November 17 from 10am to 4pm
- Sunday, November 18 from 1pm to 5pm
- Monday, November 19 from 8am to 12pm
When asked what Operation Christmas Child means to her, she said, “OCC is a way for families, churches, civic organizations and school groups to come together to prepare gifts, which will then be delivered all over the world to children in need.”
“The Gospel will be presented with every gift!” she continued. “That makes it the perfect ministry for everyone, young and old, to be a missionary without ever leaving the USA!”
To some, Operation Christmas Child may just appear to be another charity that gets lost in the mix as we head into the Christmas season. However, for the kids that receive these boxes, it might just be the best gift they ever receive.
To learn more about the Operation Christmas Child ministry, visit their website at www.samaritanspurse.org. You will find information about how to prepare a box, what items are appropriate to pack, where to drop off the boxes you make, and just about anything else you would want to know. You may also call Amy Heard Glover at (256) 717-5850 for additional information.
