Connect Conference Prepares Volunteers for OCC 2026
On Friday 5 to Saturday 6 June, Samaritan’s Purse hosted dozens of volunteers for the annual Connect Conference in preparation for the Operation Christmas Child 2026 season.
Attendees travelled from all over the United Kingdom for a time of fellowship, goal-setting, prayer, and strategic planning.
Samaritan’s Purse Connect Volunteers are dedicated individuals who gladly partner with us to inform, inspire, and equip churches and other groups to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through our programme, Operation Christmas Child. Over the weekend, these volunteers celebrated the success of last year’s campaign and heard from several speakers across multiple presentations, including a virtual session with the organisation’s Chief Operating Officer, Edward Graham.
Graham shared an inspiring message about how Operation Christmas Child not only reaches millions of boys and girls with the Gospel but also builds crucial connections that enable Samaritan’s Purse to respond quickly in times of crisis—like the recent hurricane in Jamaica.
Another notable speaker was Cynthia, who shared a full-circle moment with our Connect Volunteers by telling the story of when she received her Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift by the young age of seven-years-old while living in India. Receiving her shoebox gift was life-changing and helped Cynthia clearly understand God’s love for her. Now, she and her husband live in England and are dedicated to partnering with Operation Christmas Child to make God’s love known around the world. Cynthia’s story highlights the life-changing impact of this project and the importance of mobilising communities to get involved.
John Baly, one of our dedicated Connect Volunteers, expressed his excitement about attending the annual Connect Conference by saying, “Getting to meet others who are enthusiastic about Operation Christmas Child has been getting me more enthusiastic about the work again. Sometimes I can feel a bit flat and like I’m not achieving much. But, seeing what the Lord is doing and hearing all the speakers who are passionate about the work has given me a real boost.”
“Seeing what the Lord is doing and hearing all the speakers who are passionate about the work has given me a real boost”.
—John Baly, Connect Volunteer.
If you are passionate about the work of Operation Christmas Child, we encourage you to pray about becoming a Connect Volunteer in your area. Please also be in prayer for this year’s Operation Christmas Child season. Ask God to help us share the Gospel with many children around the world and that they would come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour.
Support Operation Christmas Child
Can sponsor the costs of sending one shoebox gift to a child in need.
Could help with processing and shipping two shoebox gifts to children in need.
Can provide local churches with training and resources to distribute shoebox gifts at outreach events.
