Liberty Road Baptists packs Christmas gift boxes for Third World kids

Harold Gabelsberger reaches into a box of toys to help fill a shoe box. He and about 15 others from Liberty Road Baptist Church filled some 55 boxes for their involvement in the Operation Christmas Child program.
Harold Gabelsberger reaches into a box of toys to help fill a shoe box. He and about 15 others from Liberty Road Baptist Church filled some 55 boxes for their involvement in the Operation Christmas Child program.

It started by packing a few shoe boxes with gifts - a simple way to give Christmas presents to Third World children while also spreading the message of Christianity. Now, tens of thousands of churches are involved in sending millions of boxes a year.

On Sunday, Liberty Road Baptist Church did its part. About 16 volunteers attended a "packing party" to ready an estimated 55 boxes for shipment, which would increase the church's contribution from last year. They packed games, coloring books, toiletry items, hard candy and even clothing into shoe boxes. Then they used premade labels to indicate whether the box is for a girl or boy, and they checked one of three age groups.

The church has been participating in the program for more than six years.

"It's a mission opportunity in Third World countries," said Marilyn Hogan, the church clerk. "The focus is that we pack one box and it typically will reach seven people. That child will open it up and share with his siblings and neighbors. So it's a really good, easy opportunity to witness the Gospel and hopefully lead them to salvation."

Samaritan's Purse, the evangelical Christian humanitarian organization that sponsors the program, works in more than 100 countries around the world. It's president is Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham.