Bringing Children to Jesus

Dear Friend,

None of us know what the coming year will hold, but I do know that there is a growing sense from Christians worldwide that the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is drawing very near.

The Bible tells us that since we don’t know the day or hour—only the Father does—we should be working diligently in the Name of Christ to do all we can to advance His kingdom on earth. Jesus said, “As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4, NIV).

At Samaritan’s Purse, we are going to work today like there is no tomorrow—because there may not be. When we respond to emergencies across the globe, any delay means that lives could be lost. Help can’t wait.

Yet nothing is more urgent than proclaiming the Gospel. Any delay means that souls could be lost. Just as we don’t like to see anyone go to bed tonight hungry or sick or cold, we don’t want to let a day pass without telling people how they can receive forgiveness and eternal life by repenting of their sins and putting their faith in Christ.

We thank God that He has positioned Samaritan’s Purse to reach millions of people around the world through the unique combination of our relief projects and Operation Christmas Child. At the same time, He has given us a special ministry to children—who are often the most vulnerable to suffering and the most receptive to the Gospel.

In the midst of economic doom and gloom, the Lord blessed Operation Christmas Child with more gift-filled shoe boxes than ever before. I believe this is because we had so many people praying for their boxes, asking God to use them to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. As this is written, our staff and church partners are working to distribute nearly 8 million shoe box gifts to children in over 100 countries across the globe.

Pray that this will be the beginning of a great spiritual harvest, as boys and girls—along with their families and neighbors—hear the truth of God’s Word and accept Christ as Lord and Savior.

Everything we do is designed to earn a hearing for the Gospel, and Operation Christmas Child is one of the most effective evangelistic tools we have. Right now, tens of thousands of children like the ones in Kosovo are involved in evangelistic Bible lessons that began with a shoe box gift and may soon lead to their salvation.

Jesus told His disciples that global evangelism will be one of the surest signs of His return: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14, NIV).

Friends, this could happen in our lifetime. In just 16 years, Operation Christmas Child has reached nearly 70 million children in over 140 countries—that’s about three-quarters of all the countries in the world. The ends of the earth are within sight.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and generous support for Samaritan’s Purse as we work hard to tell the world about the Lord Jesus Christ. May God richly bless you in the coming year.

Sincerely,

President
Samaritan's Purse

CONTINUE READING:

Finding the Prince of Peace in War-Scarred Kosovo

To the Ends of the Earth

Ways You Can Help

PRAY

Pray for children across the globe who are growing up in the midst of poverty, violence, disease, or other desperate circumstances. Praise God for how He is working through Samaritan’s Purse and our church partners to reach them with the Gospel.

GIVE AN ORPHAN A MONTH OF LOVING CARE

We support Christian homes and ministries worldwide that share Christ’s redeeming love with orphaned, abandoned, and destitute children. A $35 gift to the Samaritan Children’s Fund can provide a month’s worth of meals, housing, education, and healthcare.

LIFE-SAVING FOOD

About half a million people, mostly women and children, depend on food delivered by Samaritan’s Purse. For as little as $35, we can deliver a monthly supply of grain, cooking oil, and other staples to a family in a crisis area such as Darfur.

CHILDREN'S HEART PROJECT

Samaritan’s Purse brings children needing heart surgery from places such as Kosovo and Mongolia to North America, where we have identified doctors and hospitals that will donate their services. A round-trip ticket typically costs about $2,200, and you can share in the cost with a gift of any amount.

SHARE GOD’S WORD WITH CHILDREN THROUGH OPERATI ON CHRISTMAS CHILD

After they receive shoe box gifts and Gospel storybooks, many boys and girls want to know more about Jesus. Through our Discipleship Program, we furnish local churches with a series of Bible lessons that will lead young people through God’s plan of salvation. A gift of $10 can provide lessons for five children.