Youssef’s Story

Youssef* serves as a pastor and logistics coordinator for Operation Christmas Child in a country where public evangelism is illegal. Much of his ministry happens underground—until recently, when God opened an unexpected door.

When a border community asked for help in reaching their community with the Gospel, Youssef and his wife travelled there in faith. To their surprise, local officials not only welcomed them but gave permission to use a large public venue. There, Youssef hosted an Operation Christmas Child outreach event where hundreds of children were blessed with shoebox gifts—and heard about the love of Jesus for the very first time. 

The response was immediate. Many families approached Youssef, saying their children wanted to learn more about Jesus—and entire families went on to come to faith. One young man in particular is now a devoted believer and still calls Youssef regularly, eager to grow in his newfound faith.

From underground churches to open gatherings, God is using simple shoebox gifts—and faithful believers—to bring His love into some of the hardest-to-reach places on earth.

*Name changed for security purposes.

But stories like this are only possible because people like you donate shoebox gifts online.

How You Can Help

This month, as part of our Shoebox Rally for the Persecuted Church, you can continue the mission by helping fill a shipping container bound for countries where following Christ comes at great risk. Each £25 pre-packed shoebox gift, donated online, helps fill that container—opening doors for the Gospel in countries that are closed to the Gospel.

Give today and help love break through where Christmas is silenced.

I Want to Help Love Break Through

Shoeboxes Donated Online Give Us Special Access

Not just any shoebox gift can go into some of these highly restricted nations—they have to be specially prepared. That’s why shoeboxes donated online give us special access.

So when you donate a shoebox online, you are helping spread the Gospel to these closed countries—reaching people who otherwise wouldn’t get to hear the Good News.

Please join us in this urgent mission to share the hope of Jesus.

More than 3.2 million children came to faith through the work of Operation Christmas Child just last year. That means one child decided to follow Jesus for every four shoebox gifts sent! So the more gifts you send, the more children will be able to hear and respond to the message of God’s saving grace.

Every gift given out of love points to the Greatest Gift ever given when God “loved us and gave His Son” to save us. Please pray that these simple shoebox gifts will open doors for God’s love break through where the Gospel has been suppressed. Pray for more ministry opportunities. Pray that the children who receive these gifts will also receive Jesus into their hearts.