Operation Christmas Child Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan's Purse, sends a message of hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and Christian literature in their own language. This program provides an opportunity for individuals of all ages to be involved in a simple, hands-on missions project that reaches out to suffering children while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas --Jesus Christ, God's greatest gift. In 2006, the Raleigh collection center at Crossroads processed 25,200 boxes helping to contribute to the 7.6 million shoeboxes collected worldwide and distributed to children in more than 90 countries.