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A Kansas middle school has discontinued its participation in the popular Operation Christmas Child project following allegations from an atheist group that involvement is unconstitutional.

Liberty Middle School in Pratt, Kan., previously participated in Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse that involves volunteers around the world packing shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items for children in need. Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian ministry, hopes to impact 11 million children during this year’s Operation Christmas Child.

Earlier this month the Freedom From Religion Foundation wrote the local superintendent, urging him to take action and halt the middle school’s involvement. The group said a concerned staff member had complained.

In a Nov. 7 letter, Superintendent Tony Helfrich replied to the organization, saying the district was “discontinuing” participation in Operation Christmas Child “upon learning that its mission is more sectarian in nature than we realized.” . . .

“While it is laudable for a public school to promote student involvement in the community by volunteering and donating to charitable organizations, the school cannot use that goal as an avenue to fund a religious organization with a religious mission,” FFRF wrote in a Nov. 3 letter. “Certainly, there are other secular non-profit organizations that offer charitable opportunities.”

FFRF also alleged that the school’s vice principal promoted Christianity and invited students to participate in See You at the Pole.

“We request that the District investigate these serious violations and take immediate action to ensure that all of its staff understand and respect their constitutional obligation to remain neutral toward religion while acting in their official capacity,” FFRF said.

The mission of Operation Christmas Child, according to its website, is to “provide God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.” Since the project launched in 1993, 178 million children have received shoeboxes.

(Excerpt from Christian Headlines. Article by Michael Foust. Photo Credit: Getty Images.)

Share your prayers for Operation Christmas Child to be blessed and continue!

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Robert Righter
December 5, 2020

Keeping children away from the good news of Jesus is an offense.
Matthew 18:6
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Mark 9:42
And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

Luke 17:2
It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

1
Tiger
November 25, 2020

It’s a shame that they allowed ONE person that got offended to make that decision. People need to have a backbone and stand up to this kind of evil rather than cave to someone else’s ungodly ideas. The most important thing that children should be taught is to help one another in need and to stand up for Godly values and truth.

14
Vickie
November 24, 2020

Father God, please destroy the plans of the enemy. Please continue to bless the Operation Christmas Child project and may it continue. Many of the children who receive these shoe boxes may never receive another present nor ever have before. God, bless my involvement with this wonderful project each year I have participated in it and these precious boxes send a wonderful message of Jesus to these children; those of whom, may have never heard of Him before. In Jesus name, Amen.

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Carmen Worden
November 24, 2020

Why not a vote among families as to whether this project should continue, rather than one staff member making the decision?!?! Standing up for Godly values and truth is the most valuable education the students can receive.

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Sandra Hogue
November 23, 2020

Shall we pray for those on school boards and leadership positions in our schools to get some courage to stand for right, and deny those few voices who would rob children of the most empowering knowledge they could ever have in their lives; to know Jesus Christ personally. Are the same unbelievers ready to protect children against the evil notions presented by the LGBT community, or the transgender mania pushed with gusto on these children in our schools.
May God restore His Word in our schools instead, and allow our children to know Biblical Truth. That is all that will stand when all the atheist are laid to rest, and all their misguided man worship fails them utterly.
The Good News is….God’s plan will prevail, and His faithfulness will endure forever.

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Lois Taritas
November 23, 2020

Father God
Once again because a staff member got offended they stop a beautiful sharing God’s gift to children of the world! We come against that spirit and bind it in the name of jesus! Shame on them that prohibit God’s joy and peace around the world! The bible is clear reverse your view and allow these children to serve others!
I pray this blinding spirit would be under your feet jesus!
Let these children serve in jesus name!

9
Gabriele Dixon
November 23, 2020

Father I pray in the name of Jesus that you would give those who are the representation of your faith wisdom and strategies to defend the cause for love to be spread abroad in your name. The same constitutional rights that are being used to oppose it may be used to support it. Father help them realize that such activities are allowed after school and before school according to the no Child left behind policies in the religious clause. I pray Father that those involved in the Samaritan purse ministries will realize that they have the same kind of rights to do it as those who are saying that you can’t. I speak boldness in love and humility in support in defense of the gospel which is an alienable right according to the Constitution of our United States. Forgive those who are ignorant and do not understand your ways Lord and Encounter them with the spirit of truth and cast off deception and lies they are blind. Permit the Samaritan purse Ministry to continue to love and be able to share it through the same means other religions are practicing in the schools. In Jesus name amen

3
Endia Rose
November 23, 2020

Eternity, What is Eternity? : Christ never spoke about Religion, what is Religion? However; Christ did speak of relationship. Religion
is a man made word, that divides mankind. These 33,000 people are lost in outer darkness, why? If one would do a study of life, they would find that as sure as we live we will die. What is the purpose of life? Is it, to make a choice for ourselves or to destroy the joy and hope for others?. We were born, the first people were created to live forever in happiness , joy, peace, love and understanding. They made a choice however; it effected the whole world and its people. From this comes Death as we know it today. You can deny many things but, death is not one of them. Remember the passage Ephesians 6: 12. Approximately 255,000 die everyday around the world, and the sad thing is, most of them will go into outer darkness. So you see, you are not fighting that person that brought the allegations but the spirit behind that person. Remember death for them is torment, for us it is peace and love beyond joy. This is the only home the darkness dwellers know. So bind that spirit that operates through them. Pray and be bold in the spirit. We serve a mighty God. So act like it.

4
Call
November 22, 2020

Heavenly Father, You say we are to pray for the lost, and we pray for those who are visor spiritually blind. We pray that they will be made aware of what they are doing, and the blessings their actions would rob children of.
We thank You, Father, that we can call on You and trust You to intervening.

5
Glo
November 22, 2020

Lord this is so sad when one person can stop so many from sharing and caring. The children receiving this boxes don’t have much else, but one person can stop and deny happiness for children across the world. God continue to bless Samaritan Purse for sponsoring the giving to children at Christmas. Make this person aware of you Lord. Open his eyes and heart to you. Open the eyes of our nation to you Lord. We love and praise you. In Jesus’s holy name we pray. Amen

13
Barbara D
November 21, 2020

Father, I ask that this be brought to Brad Dacus, Pacific Justice Institute, and it will be taken care of. The bullies are so
tiring and they force us to step forward and be bold for you. Who would not want a child to feel love receiving Christmas
gifts. What cruel heart would deprive a child of this joy. Thank you, Lord, that you are sending angels to rectify this
mean act.

18
Lon F
November 21, 2020

What is wrong with children of any age trying to help needy children at Christmas time? Were they forced to take part or was it a choice that they made on their own. FFR has no right to tell children from other families what they can or cannot do. And one day they will stand before our Lord and Savior and it will not be pretty. we have the right to stand up for our constitutional rights and need to not cower down in any way.

22
Chris Wilkerson
November 21, 2020

Lord Jesus help us! The argument is backward since the anti-God religion is accepted and taught as fact, aka evolution. This too should be removed but we know that the world system will say wrong is right and righteous is illegal.
Lord Jesus help us!

22
Shanna
November 21, 2020

God we ask that the mistake of agreeing with separation of church and state be reversed and repented of and Christianity will be involved in all aspects of home,school, work, business, and government, in our nation again and reach out to the world with the good news of Christ again.

24
June Sanborn
November 21, 2020

If none of the monies of Operation Christmas Child go to “fund a religious organization” but all monies got only to the project they don’t have any legal right to protest.

15
Karen Secrest
November 21, 2020

Understanding that Kansas has an unusually large number of persons involved in secret societies should also be a Prayer focus. Not long ago, Kansas was a leading abortion state also which is joined to the secret societies.
May we continue to “root out and discern the actions of the enemy in whatever way he attempts to deceive.”
I pray Psalm 1 over the children. That they flourish like the palm tree where ever they may be.

26
Jacqueline McQuigg
November 21, 2020

Thank you Lord for bring the problem into the light. Please help there to be a peaceful solution to the problem. Perhaps finding another collection site, such as in a nearby church. will be proposed. We are encouraged over and over in the Bible to be peacemakers. Your word also reminds us that “When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him (Proverbs 16:7)”. Let that be so in this case so that your name will be glorified.

13
Karen E. Dearen
November 21, 2020

The students that want to participate should be able to participate! No one forces participation in Operation Christmas Child. The trouble with this is that the atheists want to impose their will and ways on the Christians.

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    Chris Wilkerson
    November 21, 2020

    I agree. Also to protect the principal from losing their job because of being a Christian.

    13
Cole
November 21, 2020

Lord we ask that you would work on the hearts of both the school officials and the atheist.
We pray that the school officials will rescind their decision and reverse course. We pray that parents would find the needed courage to pressure the officials to change their mind.
And last but not least – we ask for the holy spirit of God to descend on the atheist mind and soul, bringing relentless and deep conviction that will not allow them to rest. May they meet the pure holiness, mercy and love that only you can provide Lord. Amen.

29
Sue C.
November 21, 2020

Father, turns the hearts of those opposed back to you. Heal the hurts of the past and give them a new heart filled with Your freedom. We pray for them and bring them to Your remembrance. We ask that You bind the forces of evil in their lives so that Your Spirit can speak truth and love to their hearts. We know that You desire that none should perish but come to a saving knowledge of Christ and we ask that those who are fighting against You become those who are strongest fighting for You. In Jesus name, Amen.

45
Eliece
November 21, 2020

If it is initiated by the children, it must be allowed because they do not loose their religious freedom the moment that they step onto the school property. Like…’meet me at the pole’ has to be initiated by the students. This can be initiated through the students in a student club.
Someone should make sure the satanists do not have a club there. If they do, the ‘Christian faith’ has the right to be there also. Contact American Center for Law and Justice, for details on religious rights of students.

35
    June Darley
    November 21, 2020

    I’ve been a part of OCC for years and it’s the best way for the children to come to know God through the boxes-the gift of love.

    21
    Ana
    November 21, 2020

    Pray that the children become aware of these options and start a student-initiated project!

    14
      Robert Righter
      December 5, 2020

      Matthew 19:14
      But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

      Mark 10:14
      But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

      Luke 18:16
      But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

      1
Sharon
November 21, 2020

Dear Father, give us a passion to continue to do good in Your Name? We will not give in to godlessness. We will be known for love and sacrifice inYour Name. Give us a heart to be informed of our rights and to exercise them. We will stand up and be lights in our dark communities.

37
Lisa S
November 21, 2020

Lord, we lift up each member of this atheist group and this school superintendent. How lost they are! They are going to a level of depriving children of Christmas boxes! We lift up each one of these individuals … Father you do not wish for anyone to perish, so take the blinders from their eyes, put true Christian witnesses in their paths, give them the opportunity of repentance and acceptance of GRACE through Jesus. Change them Father…as only you can . As for the boxes that would have been collected by this school district, raise up families and churches that will take this on and bless them by providing double the amount that would have gone out! Help the members of this school district to speak out for truth…to elect Christians to leadership positions. We pray Father that we would stop sitting back and taking the blows of the enemy…help us to March forth in boldness and declare the name of Jesus!

53
Suzanne Roberts
November 21, 2020

Where can we write or call to oppose this? It’s pretty clear that it’s time for the church to step up to the plate. If we make enough noise, things will change. God will open the door! We have to BE the CHURCH!

35
    Lynn
    November 21, 2020

    You are so right! This is exactly the kind of thing that the church has been passive in combating, and why the country is having to repent! We have to fight this kind of injustice! Anyone have any suggestions?

    6
      Suzanne Roberts
      November 21, 2020

      I discovered the name of the school in KS. We can find their address. Also if you click on the Superintendent’s name you will see the whole letter and his address is there. Let’s DO THIS!

      7
James Donohoe
November 21, 2020

Religious Liberty does not mean just the liberty to worship God but also the exercising of that religious belief in God. Helping less fortunate children around the world is the exercising of religion and showing the love of God. The world sees these “good works” and God is glorified. It is not the misunderstanding of the term “separation of church and state” but an opposition to God. Christians should continue to do the things that please God and also to pray for those who say there is no God and yet they are really opposing Him.

35
BJ
November 21, 2020

I want to contact this district and voice my opinion. Just saddens my heart. No evil behind this and I pray that the parents and the community will rise up and challenge this. Another loss for our children. I pray the ones that have participated in the past will continue to participate so the children do not suffer, but this needs to be addressed.

25
Elizabeth Schneider
November 21, 2020

This is horrible! I am from Garden City, Kansas which is a couple hours away! Evil is sure trying to take over, worse then before! Prayers for the children, the school and my homestate!

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