And Then What? The Impact of Our Shoeboxes
And then what? These boxes continue the story.
We’ve packed our shoeboxes. We’ve dropped them off. But what happens next? Why does this matter?
When we give a gift through Operation Christmas Child, something amazing happens: it becomes a ripple of hope, reaching children across the world and opening doors for the Gospel.
When we give a gift through Operation Christmas Child, something amazing happens: it becomes a ripple of hope, reaching children across the world and opening doors for the Gospel.
220+ MILLION Gifts Delivered Globally
By The Numbers
- In 2023, more than 11.3 million shoebox gifts were collected globally and distributed to children in over 100 countries. Samaritan's Purse (samaritans-purse.org)
- Since the project began in 1993, more than 220 million shoebox gifts have been delivered to children in more than 160+ countries and territories. (samaritans-purse.org)
- Volunteers worldwide number nearly 500,000 who help collect, ship, and distribute these boxes.(samaritans-purse.org)
- Beyond the gift itself: many children who receive a shoebox go on to participate in the discipleship programme known as “The Greatest Journey.” For example, in recent years multiple millions of children have taken part. (samaritans-purse.org)
Why That Matters
- Joy & dignity: For many children, a shoebox gift is their first ever gift. It says: You are seen. You are valued.
- Evangelism in Action: Along with the gift arrives the message of God’s love. Churches around the world receive and distribute the boxes, open doors for the Gospel, and invite children to learn more.
- Disciple-making: It’s not just a one-time gift. These boxes often serve as the entry point to a 12-lesson discipleship course (The Greatest Journey) that invites children into a relationship with Jesus and equips them to share with others.
- Global Reach: From remote villages to countries hard to access, your box travels. The data show broad geographic distribution—children in many different nations. (samaritans-purse.org)
Soglo Epiphani, 11, lives in Ghana and gave her life to Christ when she participated in The Greatest Journey. She is now a faithful witness for the Lord in her community.
What This Means for Us
- Packing the box was only the beginning.
- Every toy, school supply, toothbrush, and personal note becomes a means of sharing Christ’s love. Because of you, children are hearing the Gospel, getting discipled, and sometimes even becoming part of church-communities themselves.
- So when we say “We packed a box,” we should also say: “We helped send hope. We gave an opportunity. We changed a life.”
- Let’s continue to pray for the children who receive our boxes, for the local church partners who distribute them, and for the transformation that follows.
Call to Action
- Pray: Ask God to bless each box and the child who receives it.
- Share: Tell others the story of what happens after the box is given—so more people join in and understand the impact.
- Stay engaged: After collection week, let’s share testimonies, look at maps or stories from Samaritan’s Purse, and celebrate what God is doing.
Together, we’re more than just stuffing boxes—we’re partnering in the love of Christ across the globe.
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