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/