NIGERIA, AFRICA — On Christmas Eve, Islamic militants attacked several Christian villages in Plateau State, Nigeria. The attacks went into the early hours of Christmas Day, and at least 113 people were killed. Many more were injured or have lost their homes. In this video, recorded by Open Doors local partners in the region, Nigeria…
UK —Churches from all denominations united for what was the largest ever UK Christmas outreach campaign last weekend. GNA reporter Peter Wooding went along to one of their Shine Your Light events at Europe’s largest shopping mall in London. More than 57,000 Christians from over 450 churches took part in Shine Your Light evangelistic Christmas…
LOVES PARK, IL — A unique Christmas program is bringing the gift of hope to thousands of children caught in the devastating wars in Israel and Ukraine. American Christians are supporting the annual Christmas campaign called Immanuel’s Child that will deliver gifts and a “star of hope” to as many as 75,000 needy children this…
WARRIOR, AL — Church International hosted their inaugural gift giveaway for North Jefferson County residents on December 9, 2023. The event, titled Christmas on the Red Brick Street, benefitted countless families and more than 300 children who were in need of a little extra help this Christmas. Pastor Robin R. Bullock was thrilled to see…
EASTON, MD — Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, has canceled its traditional Christmas celebrations, a move that spotlights the challenges Christians in the Middle East face this festive season. Amid the suffering caused by the Israel-Hamas war, Bethlehem’s leaders reportedly feel it’s inappropriate to hold festivities, and the town’s Christian elders agree. It’s a difficult…
CHARLOTTE, NC — As we commemorate the birth of Jesus, Evangelist Will Graham has recorded his fourth annual online Christmas program for release this weekend. Featuring award-winning musical guest Natalie Grant, the special will focus on the gift of Christ, and the hope of salvation that can be found in Him today. “Joy to the…
CHARLOTTE, NC — Each year, thousands of people from across the Carolinas and the Southeast visit the Billy Graham Library to experience Christmas at the Library. The Christ-centered festivities have become an annual Christmas tradition for many, with more than 500,000 visitors experiencing this seasonal celebration since 2008. The 16th annual Christmas at the Library…
UK — More than 42,000 Christians from more than 360 UK churches are taking to the streets December 16-17 in various Christmas Shine Your Light outreach events with the sole purpose to share that Jesus is the reason for the season. Dr. Jonathan Oleyede – National Day of Prayer and Worship: This Christmas the whole…
CHARLOTTE, NC — As we commemorate the birth of Jesus, Evangelist Will Graham has recorded his fourth annual online Christmas program for release this weekend. Featuring award-winning musical guest Natalie Grant, the special will focus on the gift of Christ, and the hope of salvation that can be found in Him today. Joy to the…
LOS ANGELES — Thousands of homeless and underprivileged children in Los Angeles are set to experience the magic of Christmas at one of the biggest Christmas celebrations in the city on Saturday, December 16th, 2023. Generously donated by compassionate individuals, over 7,000 new toys will bring smiles to the faces of approximately 2,000 children in…
LOS ANGELES — On Saturday, December 16, The Los Angeles Dream Center will host its enchanting Christmas “Dreamland” event. This annual tradition, made possible by the generous and dedicated sponsors of Family First Life and AM570 Sports, aims to spread joy throughout Los Angeles with over 6,000 toys that will be given to children of…
WILLS POINT, TX — Can a chicken really change someone’s life? It’s happening all around the globe, according to mission agency GFA World (www.gfa.org). The Texas-based organization has launched its annual Christmas “Chickens & Goats” campaign on WAY-FM Radio — an opportunity for people to buy life-changing gifts, such as chickens and goats, for families…
LANCASTER, PA — For nearly three decades, audiences have flocked to Sight & Sound Theatres to experience MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS live on stage. With their 2023 season completely sold out in Lancaster, the theater company is thrilled to host a special holiday streaming event for audiences worldwide on Sight & Sound TV December 1-3. Known…
UK — A UK Christmas campaign ‘Shine Your Light’ is calling hundreds of thousands to unite in towns, villages and cities this Christmas to take the message outdoors. The vision for Shine Your Light is that the whole church across England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic stand united to share the Gospel to…
WARRENTON, MO — The world’s largest mission organization dedicated to children celebrated a record number of children reached in its 2022 world-wide, in-person Christmas Party Clubs. Hundreds of Zoom connections and YouTube attendees facilitated representatives from countries around the world to join the International Headquarters staff of Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) on Friday, February 10th,…
ALBUQUERQUE — Calvary Church in New Mexico provided gifts to nearly 2,500 children through their Calvary Church Christmas Toy Shop, Monday, Dec. 19. The toy drive at Calvary Church has been an annual Christmas tradition since 2014. Like many Calvary Church community outreach efforts, the toy drive serves children who attend Title 1-funded schools in…
EDISON, NJ — Fantastic Faith Comics today announced a new comic strip titled The Light of God in Christmas. The story explains, in an easy to understand “edutainment” comic strip format, what makes Christmas so special, and can be read here for free: https://fantasticfaith.substack.com/p/the-light-of-god-in-christmas. I hope this totally free and easily accessible Christmas special will…
CHARLOTTE, NC — Celebrating the 200 millionth shoebox gift collected since 1993, Franklin Graham encouraged staff and volunteers at the Charlotte Processing Center this Christmas. These shoeboxes represent opportunities to tell boys and girls about the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Greatest Gift. Franklin Graham – Samaritan’s Purse CEO and President: 29 years ago right here…
ENGLEWOOD, FL — You could barely see the petite woman standing on her porch behind the mangled trees and debris from Hurricane Ian. Despite the massive destruction, the 74-year-old woman who goes by “Christmas” greeted Randy Martin and Will Murphy, two chaplains from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT), welcoming them into her Englewood,…
WADSWORTH, OHIO — Kristel and Matt Stone praise God for the thousands of Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts they have been able to pack at their Ohio farm over the years with help from family and friends. They are grateful that, through these gifts, boys and girls in need around the world are hearing the…
COLOMBIA — Valentina (15) in Colombia is one of many Christian children who face persecution for their faith. It isn’t safe for her to live at home, because of guerrilla gangs and indigenous groups. Thanks to Christian charity Open Doors in, she’s able to receive shelter and a Christian education at their Colombia Children’s Centre…
LOVES PARK, IL — A U.S.-based Christian charity is ramping up its efforts to bring hope to more than 60,000 children and orphans across Ukraine, Russia and the former Soviet Union this Christmas – 10,000 more children than last year. The huge-scale, church-led Immanuel’s Child outreach supported by Illinois-based Slavic Gospel Association (SGA, www.sga.org) gives…
BOONE, NC — Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, has impacted the lives of 188 million children in more than 170 countries.[1] Samaritan’s Purse recently released a report highlighting the success of the program’s 2021 Christmas season, during which 9.1 million children in need received shoebox gifts—containing various gifts such as…
CHERNOBYL, UKRAINE — A fire – called a desperate act of arson – didn’t stop the Church congregation in the village of Mlachivka – on the edge of the Chernobyl radiation “exclusion zone from holding a special service outside in the snow and bitter cold, as local firefighters and police looked on. Later, children received…
EAST UKRAINE — This Christmas as families in East Ukraine are impacted by the continued conflict with increasing military tensions on the border with Russia, Great Commission Media Ministries is continuing to bring hope to this troubled region through their Power to Change outreach campaign. Their founder Hannu Hauka travelled to East Ukraine to help…
JAPAN — Christmas may be a totally commercial season in Japan, but people are open to the true meaning of the celebration. So Japanese Christians are finding many creative ways to share about Jesus’ birth and why He came to earth. The Christmas season provides a unique opportunity for Christian witness in Japan. This is…
SYRIA — How do children of the persecuted church celebrate Christmas? Despite conflict and persecution, children around the world are determined to celebrate Christmas. What are you doing for Christmas this year? It’s a question many of us are asking around the world. For children living in countries where believers are persecuted, it’s a question…
STONEY CREEK, ONTARIO – One of the core values of GFA World (Gospel for Asia) founded by K.P. Yohannan, which inspired numerous charities like GFA World Canada, is being a people who work together with the body of Christ. In the week of November 15-22, 2021, GFA World was able to demonstrate this value by…
WILLS POINT, TX – GFA World (Gospel for Asia) founded by K.P. Yohannan, whose heart to love and help the poor has inspired numerous charities like GFA World Canada, reports: A “moo-ving” Christmas campaign aims to lift pandemic-affected families out of extreme poverty — with gifts of cows, goats, chickens and other farm animals. Texas-based…
MIAMI, FL — Barbara Korn and Margarita Sosa, who call themselves the Happy Grandmas, sew cuddly stuffed animals to pack in Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to let children know that God loves them just the way they are. Margarita Sosa: Hola. I am Margarita. Barbara Korn: Hi. I’m Barbara. Margarita and Barbara: And together, we…
IRAQ – This Christmas, there will be an empty chair at the table for Rafif’s family in Iraq. Everything Rafif knows about her dad she has heard from her mum, and other people who knew him. Because when Raddif ran towards that bus filled with Christian students, warning them of the planned bombing, he saved…
ECUADOR — Romina, a 12-year-old girl in Ecuador, praises God for the Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift she received filled with colored markers and other delightful surprises. More importantly, she learned about God at the festive outreach event and received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Romina Alejandra Ruiz de Aragon: My name is…
STONEY CREEK, ON — Despite the difficulties of 2020, GFA World (Gospel for Asia Canada), together with Believers Eastern Church, collected Christmas gift-filled shoeboxes for children in need. 2020 was a difficult year. COVID-19 pandemic restrictions meant that many of the regular events of our lives had to be rearranged or maybe even cancelled altogether….
RUSSIA — An annual event launched by Slavic Gospel Association in 2002 — is on target to distribute Christmas gifts, children’s Bibles, and personalized ornaments to 50,000 Children in Russia. Despite lockdown restrictions SGA church partners are reaching out into hospital, orphanages and the homes of vulnerable children as part of their Immanuel’s Child outreach….
NEWPORT BEACH, CA — In an effort to bring joy and Christmas to the displaced suffering Armenian children, For The Martyrs, a 501c3 organization will bring Operation Christmas to Armenia. Operation Christmas will provide wrapped Christmas boxes that are full of gifts such as toys, dolls, clothing, and more for children so they can have…
LOVES PARK, IL — One of the biggest evangelical missions to Russia is calling on America’s Christians to help “save Christmas” for children in dire need in the COVID-ravaged former Soviet Union. Illinois-based Slavic Gospel Association (SGA, www.sga.org) has launched a Christmas gift blitz across 11 time zones, stretching from eastern Europe to Siberia. Thousands…
WILLS POINT, TX — Chick-fil-A and Brookshire’s are joining a leading aid agency to deliver Christmas relief to Texas families hit hard by the pandemic. As America experiences another spike in coronavirus cases, one in four children aren’t getting enough food and face a bleak Christmas, says Wills Point-based humanitarian agency Gospel for Asia (GFA World…
WILLS POINT, TX – With Christmas spending in the U.S. on target to hit a trillion dollars this year, a leading humanitarian agency is urging Americans not to forget the world’s poor. “For hundreds of millions of children across Asia, Christmas is a time when they’re forgotten,” said K.P. Yohannan, founder of Gospel for Asia…
PACIFIC ISLANDS, PALAU — Rengesuul Yobech sat in the shade of a spacious open-air gymnasium at Peleliu Elementary School in Palau on a sweltering late-February afternoon earlier in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe. The school’s 76 students were assembled there, eager to receive gift-filled shoeboxes at the first Operation Christmas Child festive…
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Award-winning former legal editor of The Chicago Tribune and former atheist, Lee Strobel, uses his legal and journalism training to investigate whether the account of the birth and divinity of Jesus is logically and historically credible, in the free Case for Christmas Online Bible Study November 30, 2020–January 1, 2021, sponsored…
BANGLADESH — Ten-year-old Bijli from Bangladesh already knows the cost of following Jesus. Because of her faith, she is bullied at school and her family are ostracised in their Muslim-majority village. Bijli’s father, Badol, became a church leader after receiving biblical training through Open Doors partners. He was worried that his Muslim neighbours wouldn’t accept…
COLOMBIA — Christmas is likely to look different for all of us this year. Some of us will be celebrating the birth of Jesus without our friends and family closest to us. You may have even lost somebody you love this year, and this will be your first Christmas without them. Daniela from Colombia is…
LOVES PARK, IL — A U.S.-based evangelical mission that partners with local churches to serve orphans, widows, and others in need across Russia and the former Soviet Union aims to share the true meaning and hope of Christmas with 50,000 needy ‘forgotten’ children this year. From Russia’s capital Moscow to the Siberian wastelands — and…
STONEY CREEK, ON — Gospel for Asia Canada (GFA World) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan, says a much-anticipated event of the season is their Annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting. And in 2019, Gospel for Asia (GFA World) rang in the holiday season with a community Christmas tradition This past December 14 at 7:00 pm, we…
STONEY CREEK, ON — Gospel for Asia Canada (GFA World) says one of the first signs of Christmas in their local community are the familiar red and green Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes, which is why Gospel for Asia (GFA World) joined with Samaritan’s Purse in the last two years to bring hope and joy to…
BURKINA FASO — Simultaneous attacks by extremist insurgents on a military base and Arbinda town in Soum province in the north of Burkina Faso resulted in the deaths of 35 civilians – almost all of them women – as well as seven soldiers. President Roch Marc Christian Kabore has declared 48 hours of national mourning,…
Noel Yeatts, President of World Help, is an active advocate for social justice and humanitarian needs around the world, discusses the women trapped in the sex industry by poverty and lack of education, and our need and responsibility to speak and act to give them a chance at freedom. For many of us, the holidays…
LOS ANGELES — This past weekend, the Los Angeles Dream Center parking lot transformed into a winter wonderland complete with all the festive trimmings and filled with over 8,000 gifts, a skating rink, snow, Santa Claus, an appearance from Frozen’s Anna and Elsa, inflatables, cookies, hot cocoa and more. The Dream Center was pleased to be able to…
CAMBODIA – Samaritan’s Purse CEO and President Franklin Graham joined local church leaders in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with boys and girls while delivering gift-filled shoeboxes to them at a recent Operation Christmas Child outreach event in Cambodia’s capital. Eight-year-old Votey received a shoebox, making her one of more than 1 million children…
ORLANDO — Popular YouVersion Bible app with their subscribers worldwide, will be joining CFAN (Christ for all Nations) to celebrate Reinhard Bonnke with a seven-day Christmas devotional series launched on Tuesday, December 17th. This series titled THE HEART OF GOD: Gift wrapped in a swaddling cloth, by the late evangelist, is a perfect antidote for…
