New Orleans Seminary Aiding Operation Christmas Child

The New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary collects gift-laden shoeboxes for need children all over the world

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday seasons, students from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary are collecting shoeboxes filled with Christmas presents in preparation for Operation Christmas Child. For the past months, churches, schools, and families have donated shoeboxes filled will presents and toys for needy children all over the world. For the last three years since the NOBTS helped organize the drive, gift-laden shoeboxes have been received at a rate of no less than 56,000 boxes per year. Each box contains Gospel messages printed in the child’s home-language in addition to the gifts.

Prior to NOBTS involvement in Operation Christmas Child in 2002, there were no central collection and distribution center in Louisiana state commented Lloyd Harsch, NOBTS assistant professor of church who coordinates the OCC ministry at the seminary. As of this year, Louisiana has two collection centers at the West St. Charles Baptist Church in Boutte, La., First Baptist Church of La Place, La., and Calvary Baptist Church in Slidell, La. The NOBTS serves as the central collection point for both churches, checking and distributing the boxes to ministries all over the world.

Each year, OCC collects over 6.6 million shoeboxes and distributes to 95 countries. Last year, for example, the OCC sent no less than 84,000 shoeboxes to children in the Philippines.

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All operations at the collection center are run by a voluntary staff comprised of seminary students, faculty, and school staff members. For this year, no less than 50 people showed up to help with running the center. “I appreciate the enthusiasm the student body showed during such a busy time of the year,” says Christopher Black, a NOTBS doctoral student. “They're starting a tradition of serving.”

For more information on how you can contribute shoeboxes or lend a helping hand for Operation Christmas child, go online at www.samaritanspurse.org.

[Quotes from BP]