Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse that uses simple gift-filled shoe boxes to share the love of Jesus with children around the world.  Each fall shoe boxes are packed by families, churches, schools, civic clubs and businesses.  The boxes are then hand-delivered to children in more than 100 countries.

Bethel Church became involved in Operation Christmas Child in 1999.  In 2006, Bethel became a relay center.  This means that in addition to filing boxes ourselves, we are a drop-off location for other churches.  They can leave their boxes at Bethel, and we pack them in cartons and transport them to the nearest collection center in Urbandale.

This year’s deadline to drop off shoe boxes is 12:00 p.m., November 19, 2011.