Islanders Distribute Gifts Across the Globe

The parishioners and especially the children at the Marco Island Presbyterian Church, along with others, would open their hearts during this holiday season to help those across the world when they presented over 850 gift boxes as part of a program run by the Samaritan’s Purse Charity. 

The program, known as Operation Christmas Child, was begun through Franklin Graham as part of an effort to assist children in war torn Bosnia in 1993 when he was contacted by a friend in England. Pastor Graham would then reach out to his late friend, Pastor Ross Rhoads, in Charlotte, North Carolina for assistance and the effort was born.

Franklin Graham is the son of the late Billy Graham. He has followed in his father’s footsteps and is himself a well-known Evangelical Minister deeply involved in charitable work across the globe.

Since they began these charitable efforts over 198 million children in more than 170 nations across the globe have been recipients of this wonderful effort which began 29 years ago.

The Marco Presbyterian Church has been part of this worldwide effort to assist in this charity for the last 18 years. During their services on Sunday, November 20th, the hard work in filling the special Christmas Shoe Boxes was on display to their parishioners. Pastor Scott Kerens explained that the boxes would be packed with a combination of toys, school supplies and hygiene items for children around the world.

Pastor Kerens explained they are still receiving items to help fill the boxes which will be sent out in the next week or so, reaching all corners of the world in this wonderful effort to light up the lives of so many children in need. You may contact the church at 239-394-8186 to assist in this effort, according to Pastor Kerens.

The Marco Presbyterian Church was assisted in this effort by the Marco Lutheran Church, the New Life Community Church as well as the Marco Family Church.