Operation Christmas Child Speakers To Be at Evangelical Free Church July 23

For years, Sidney and Cheyenne County residents have been a part of the Samaritan’s Purse project “Operation Christmas Child” which helps millions of children in need through gift-filled shoeboxes.

Mark and Cherry Brumbelow, pastors of a small Texas Church, are doing big things. They are coming to Sidney on Saturday, July 23, to share how this gift changed their lives and the lives of others.

This year, Sidney and Cheyenne County volunteers hope to collect more than 3,323 shoeboxes packed with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items to contribute toward the global goal of reaching 11 million children.

Each shoebox gift is an opportunity to share the gospel and the Brumbelows are passionate about encouraging the community to continue giving generously.

The Brumbelows will be at Evangelical Free Church, 2763 11th Ave., Sidney, at 7 p.m. July 23. Past Mark Brumbelow and his wife, Cherry, have witnessed miraculous provision in ministry.

Their church, Grace Baptist in Wild Peach, Texas, had 30 members in 2014 when Pastor Brumbelow challenged them with a massive goal of filling 500 Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for children in need around the world.

That year the church packed 532. When Hurricane Harvey devastated Texas in 2017, the Brumbelows and many in their church experienced massive losses due to the flooding damage. Despite the storm, Gr

ace Baptist Church packed more than 8,000 shoebox gifts. Today, the church continues grow and pack shoebox gifts each year. In 2019, they packed enough shoebox gifts to reach 11,139 children.

During Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection Week of Nov. 14-21, Cheyenne County residents can bring gift-filled shoeboxes to multiple drop-off locations across western Nebraska to be announced in late October.

For more information, call 816-622-8316, or visit smaritanspurse.org/occ.