Operation Christmas Child has started their collection this week

Meridian, MS -Thousands of churches across the country have opened their doors to become drop-off locations for Operation Christmas Child.

Operation Christmas Child’s mission is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to underprivileged around the world.

The Northcrest Baptist Church drop-off leader, Cathy Raley, tells Twin States News what is in the boxes.

“Crayons, colors, hair bows, pencils, they get little toys. They also will at the end get the gospel track, which is the most important.”

Ms Raley says these kids have never been taught about God, and that sharing his word with these children is the most important aspect of this operation.

She also mentioned how much these kids value receiving their boxes every year.

“Missionaries have told me that they go into these little huts, and they’ll see this little box, and that’s all they have. That’s the only thing that they have to put their personal items in. They don’t throw them away.”

She also expresses how happy the children get when getting their boxes.

“I’ve seen videos where they literally get them, and they’re just excited because they don’t have anything.”

If you want to help these children learn about Jesus, you can drop off a box of your own at Northcrest Baptist Church in Meridian or First Baptist Church in Collinsville.