By JUDD WEIL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The children of Central Christian School (CCS) in Hutchinson, have a cross-continental message to send, and have partnered with Samaritan's Purse for Operation Christmas Child (OCC) to send it.
"Samaritan's Purse is a ministry ," explained CCS elementary principal Judy Parsons. "They have churches that they are planting in different places."
Through Samaritan's Purse's OCC program, Central Christian School youth will be mailing around 100 boxes to kids in another country.
"The whole purpose is to spread the gospel message, but to spread it through these gifts," said Parsons.
The OCC boxes go to countries in Africa, South America, and even some Asian countries.
Recently, Operation Christmas Child was able to land in Namibia in Africa. According to Parsons, this was the first time Namibia was reached by the holiday program.
"We decided it must be around twenty-four or twenty-five years that this has been happening," said Parsons.
The boxes put together by children and their families, kindergarten through sixth grade, will contain school supplies, hygiene products, and a small toy.
"We talk about how, we're kids, we can't go out and talk about the message right now, but this is one way we can help," said Parsons. "We can get these boxes into the hands of people who can take them to children and talk about the gospel."
To speak of the results, Parsons said CCS has had missionaries who have delivered OCC boxes visit the school.
"Two years ago we had a young man that had received a box as a child and he talked about how it transformed his life," Parsons cited an example.
The OCC boxes will be delivered to the First Southern Baptist Church located at 1201 E. 3rd Ave.
"Our kids are always taught to think about other people ahead of themselves," said Parsons. "It's sharing, it's serving, it's sharing the gospel, and just being unselfish."
Videos of kids receiving Operation Christmas Child boxes, as well as more information about the ministry, can be found at the Samaritan's Purse website.
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