July 25 was the perfect day for the St. Louis
team to have a Christmas in July Party. Sixty
people gathered for an afternoon of fun with
Operation Christmas Child. Food, fun and fel-
lowship was the focus of the party. Several
guests were new to Operation Christmas Child
and they enjoyed learning about the ministry
through videos and a brief information sharing.
The highlight of the afternoon was packing boxes
for the hurting children of the world. Two lines
were set up, one for girl boxes and one for boys.
Each line had the important requirements for each
box: hygiene items, school supplies plus a choice
of toys and gifts for the party goers to include in
the boxes. Fifty boxes were packed and now are
waiting for National Collection Week.
Join us as we COUNTDOWN to Na-
tional Collection Week 2015 (Nov. 16-23)
Jacolyn (Jackie) Bursemeyer, missionary to
Chile will share her experience with Operation
Christmas Child. In addition, we will have a
Resource Fair with lots of ideas and inspiration
for you as you pack your boxes. Everyone is
welcome as we have fun and fellowship, in fact,
bring a friend.
Saturday, September 19, 2015, 9 am-noon,
St. Paul’s Evangelical Free Church,
9801 Olive Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63141
For more info: call Vicki Stamps, area coordina-
tor, at (314) 363-1150.
Jackie Bursemeyer grew up in
St. Louis attending First Bap-
tist Church of Ferguson. She
began her personal Christian
walk when she was nine. She
graduated from Southwest
Baptist College (now South-
west Baptist University) with
a degree in Elementary Edu-
cation. Jackie graduated
from Southwestern Baptist Theological Semi-
nary in Ft. Worth, Texas. She served as an In-
ternational Mission Board missionary in Chile
for 37 years. She served in many capacities:
children’s ministry promoter, Christian Educa-
tion promoter, regional church developer,
church planter, Women’s ministry and mission-
ary personnel support. She helped to distribute
Operation Christmas Child boxes and led an
evangelistic follow-up group with children in
Patagonia.
T h i s
M o n t h :
Countdown
set for Satur-
day, September
19, 9 am –
noon.
Jackie B.,
missionary to
Chile to speak
about OCC.
Ideas and
Information at
Resource Fair.
Fun time at
Christmas in
July Party.
Join our
prayer network
Grow your
shoebox gifts!
Countdown*Countdown*
Christmas in July FUN
Operation Christmas
Child
St. Louis Area Team August, 2015
Good News, Great JOY!
Co
un
tdo
wn
201
4
Christmas in July Party
Our emphasis for the day was
spiritual impact. We focused on the
stories of children who have received
a box and the impact that it has had
on their life. Children all over the
world are coming to know Jesus
because of the power of a SIMPLE
Gift. They come to know the Great-
est Gift of All because they are shown
that love with a shoebox.
Everyone can pack. The party
was great because it was
multigenerational. We had
seniors packing as well as
children packing with parents.
Packing unifies people as they
work. It is one of the best
tools to join together in love
for others. So, encourage
your church congregation or
small group to get together
and pack for the hurting chil-
dren of the world. Christmas
treats for the packers are al-
ways fun. But, don’t eat the
candy for the shoeboxes.
St. Louis Area Team Area Coordinator Church Relations Collection Network
Vicki Stamps Amy Schuler, Coor. Sharon Johnson, Coor., West Hills
Data Management Deb Alcorn Linda Bramstedt, Fee Fee
David Stamps Mary Draper Jim McCaughan, Parker Road
Media Carol Spink Pat Whitt, Third Baptist
Julie Northrip, Coor. Rachel Wisdom Beth McNamara, The Rock
Prayer Community Relations Linda Turnbough, The Rock
Phyllis Hackney, Coor. Nancy Agar New RELAY for 2015
Sharon Enke First Evangelical Free Church
Carol Smith 1375 Carman Road, Manchester, MO 63021
Remember the Word is OUT:
COUNTDOWN
Saturday, September 19, 2015
9 am to noon
St. Paul’s Evangelical Free Church,
9801 Olive Blvd., 63141
www.samaritanspurse.org/praywithOCC
We like to describe our St. Louis OCC Area Team as a partnership of ideas. We love thinking of new ways to help you
collect shoeboxes. Rachel Wisdom, church relations specialist, designed this tip sheet to send to her assigned churches
and she is sharing with the entire area. Thanks, Rachel. Links she mentions:
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/order-materials/
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/shoebox-stories-index/
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/blog/operation-christmas-child/project-leader-resources-
churches/