19 Nov Operation Christmas Child in Columbia City, Ind.

Christine Scroggs (right), pastor’s wife, Eagle Quest Church (Columbia City, Ind.)

A few years ago, our church started a new tradition. We began participating in Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan’s Purse. We begin asking people in October to take home shoeboxes and fill them with trinkets, toys, and love. Then the boxes are collected and sent to Samaritan’s Purse for distribution to children around the world. It is something that our congregation loves to do!

Our youth group also participates. Each youth brings some of their own money, and we shop together (this helps them learn how to budget), fill the boxes together, and have so much fun. The youth group’s goal this year was 5 boxes, and they ended up with 6 completed.

The congregation also had a record year, collecting 35 boxes total, an increase of 75%. Not bad for a congregation of 60!