Operation Christmas Child: Collections Center & Shoebox Ministry

Five people standing in front of a large Salvation Army emblem at a community event, with tables displaying holiday-themed items and information.
Logo of Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child featuring a flying airplane carrying a wrapped gift box, with green and red text.

Leptondale Bible Church Community Outreach Ministry

Jesus commanded his disciples to “GO into all the world.” Leptondale Bible Church takes that command to heart, which is why we are a long-term partner with Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child lovingly known as “OCC.”

OCC is a ministry that delivers gift-filled shoeboxes to children around the world as a tangible expression of God’s love. It is a tool our local international ministry partners use to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with children in their community. They use the shoeboxes to introduce children to God’s Greatest Gift - Jesus.

A table set up with school supplies for boys aged 10 to 14, including notebooks, pens, and pencil pouches, with signs indicating the target age group and items to pack.
An elderly woman with blonde hair and glasses sitting at a white table, signing a card. The table has various papers, flyers, and informational materials on it.
Table with numerous small plastic toys in clear bags, a green bin, and a sign reading 'Add a WOW item, 1 bag equals 1 WOW item, remove items from bag & put in box, put bags in bin.'
A group of women, including an elderly woman, are gathered around a table in a community center decorated with fall and harvest-themed decorations. Some are reading letters or cards.

Our participation in the ministry of OCC is two-fold. Every year the congregation lovingly and financially supports a shoebox packing party where young and old come together for a fun time of games, snacks, prayer, and of course packing shoeboxes overflowing with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items. Each shoebox is filled with love and covered in prayer before it is packed in cartons waiting for National Collection Week.

In addition to our packing party, our congregation generously packs their own personal shoeboxes to send. It is estimated that in just the last 10 years, Leptondale has reached over 3,000 children with the love of God and the Good News of Jesus!

Our love-filled boxes have touched the lives of children in Ghana, Hard to Reach Areas, Botswana, Columbia, South Africa, Honduras, The Dominican Republic, Trinidad, Mozambique, Ecuador, Haiti, Zambia, Malawi, Ukraine, and many places we are unaware of.

Through our partnership with Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child, Leptondale Bible Church has been able to “GO into all the world” to reach children, their family, friends, and communities with the love of God and Good News of Jesus. To GOD be all the GLORY! Great things He has done, and will continue to do, through us.

Woman standing behind a table with colorful toys and a Christmas-themed large inflatable decoration that has a logo and text related to the Salvation Army's Christmas operation.
An elderly man and woman browsing toys at a gift donation table in a community hall. The man is wearing a camouflage cap and a plaid shirt, while the woman is in a black top and orange pants. The table displays colorful toys, a sign, and a box of stuffed animals.
Two young women standing at a table with empty donation bins and a sign that says 'Girl 10-14', preparing for a charitable event.
A group of seven women standing together in front of a colorful banner with a logo and text. The women are smiling and wearing casual clothes. One woman in front is taking a selfie.
Group of people posing in front of a sign that says 'Matrians Purse' with an airplane graphic.
People in a gymnasium setting participating in a holiday gift drive, sorting and packing gifts on tables with boxes and stuffed animals.
Indoor room with display tables decorated for Christmas, featuring various religious and children's items, books, plush toys, and religious posters. There is a window in the background and a patterned rug on the floor.

National Collection Week at Leptondale Bible Church!

Every year, National Collection Week takes place the third week in November. More than 4,700 Drop-Off Locations are open across the country to receive gift-filled Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes from churches, groups, families and individuals. Each drop-off location, like ours at Leptondale Bible Church, has a team of qualified volunteers to ensure that all shoebox gifts are collected properly. Each team unites to joyfully receive each donor to provide them with a transformational experience at the drop-off location.

This can’t happen without a dedicated team of over 20 volunteers from our intimate family of believers at Leptondale Bible Church. We passionately serve together during these 8 days to joyfully welcome donors, praying with donors and showing the love of Christ to help hurting children all over the world.

Four people smiling for a selfie in front of a large Salvation Army Purse logo backdrop at a community event or store. Three women and one man, all wearing casual clothes.
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’”
— Matthew 19:14