Invite a Shoebox appeal speaker to your church 

Now is the time to gather information on Operation Christmas Child for your church, school, group or business, say Norfolk charity reps Debra and Mark who are happy to talk to groups in preparation for donating shoeboxes later in the year.
 

Mark Watkins said, "Debra, and myself are blessed to be Church and Community Relations team members for Samaritan’s purse/ Operation Christmas Child (OCC) in Norfolk.  Our role is to support Churches; groups; individuals who partner with Operation Christmas Child. At the heart of our role is to affirm people and give encouragement and to do all that we can to inspire the continued commitment to send shoeboxes to children throughout the world in need of hope and hearing the Gospel message.”

Last year the UK sent 237,735 Shoeboxes across the world. As well as this showing each child they are not forgotten, the Gospel message is shared with them by their local church. This is a fun ministry, and for over thirty years, many children and young people, by invitation, have gone on to become servant hearted Christians, seeking to also support the ministry. One such person is Cynthia, pictured above, who now shares her testimony around the UK.

Mark said, “it has already been a busy year, as OCC is an all-year-round ministry. The beginning of the year we look to affirm those who have partnered with us and to celebrate and give thanks for both the local blessings and also the impact this ministry has across the world. Prayer is at the heart of the ministry and as workers we have been delighted to see this is promoted in all aspects of the work, from reaching out to new partners to the packing and sending of the shoeboxes. Last year it was a blessing to bring on two new OCC Church Collection Centres, in Norfolk, that is Servant’s church and Beacon Community church. Both churches had people from their communities visit them to drop of shoeboxes in November, and so this was a great extra blessing that comes with this ministry, for a church to show who they are and what they have on offer. The drop of week for this year is 11-18 November. We would like to gain more in Gt Yarmouth and North Norfolk area and so would be pleased to hear from any churches.

"Debra and myself have been pleased to attend a range of meetings from Men’s Shed at Eckling Grange; Cloverfield Church Thetford to the RC Roman Catholic Ignite Festival for 250 young people. At this last event we were able to take Inna, from the Ukraine to share her testimony, of how she received a shoebox age 6 years and in following years how OCC has supported her during the challenges that she has faced due to the war. Inna highlights how this ministry has been key in helping her be a joyful and resilient Christian. We are now in the season of engagement and would welcome any church; group; Individuals contacting us if interested in hearing more about our ministry and being involved."
 
Those interested wanting more information on Operation Christmas Child for your church, school, group or business please contact Mark and Debra Watkins at markdebrawatkinsocc@yahoo.com 
 
Visit: www.samaritans-purse.org.uk 
Pictured above left to right, Debra, Cynthia, child recipient of shoebox; OCC Trish Regional Manager and Mark