National Collection Week nears
IT’S SHOE BOX TIME and Pickens County churches, organizations and individuals have been busy for months shopping for bargains, holding fund raisers and hosting packing parties. Many have made this a year around project so that more children can be reached with the Gospel. The county-wide collection goal this year is 3,000 shoeboxes and it’s already looking like we may exceed that goal!
Stop for a moment and visualize an under-privileged, hopeless child, ages 2 to14 who’s just been handed a shoebox gift – perhaps the only gift they’ll ever receive. Now think about the joy that child will experience – the feeling that somebody somewhere loves them. And then, think about that child having the opportunity to become connected with a local church and coming to know that Jesus will love them forever! Current stats indicate that one child is making a profession of faith every 30 seconds through The Greatest Journey discipleship course! That’s something to celebrate and it’s happening all around the world.
You’re never too old or too young to get excited and become part of changing the lives of millions of children around the world through the Gospel paired with a simple gift. There’s still time for you to become part of the world’s largest evangelical outreach to children – Operation Christmas Child.
Simply pack a shoe box with hygiene items, school supplies, a ‘WOW’ item such as a stuffed animal, ball, etc. A personal note and/or photo can also be included and makes your gift personal for the child. This is something they truly treasure. And, if you include your email address it’s possible that you may get a letter from one of the children who received your gift.
Shoebox collections are underway at Living Word Church, located at 215 Pioneer Industrial Blvd. (1.9 miles north of Jasper Drug Store at the corner of North Main Street and Pioneer Industrial Blvd.) Hours of operation are:
• Thursday, November 20: Noon – 3 p.m.
• Friday, November 21: Noon – 3 p.m.
• Saturday, November 22: Noon – 3 p.m.
• Sunday, November 23: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• Monday, November 24: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Remember, if you have extra items that you don’t want to store until next year, please bring them with you when you drop off your gift boxes. These items will be taken to the Processing Center to help fill boxes that come in a bit shy of full. Thanks ahead of time!
Stay enthusiastic, cover those boxes in prayer and know you’re packing for Jesus. We look forward to seeing you soon.
