Operation Christmas Child Processing Center Impact Trip

Charlotte, NC OCC Processing Center

Impact Trip Dates: December 7th to December 13th, 2025

Trip Cost: $399 per person (2 per room) plus most meals

Trip Leaders: Patricia Calhoun & Rick Bernard

We are looking for individuals who are passionate about serving others and eager to make a meaningful difference to join our Impact Trip team. Whether you have prior experience with Operation Christmas Child (OCC) or are brand new to this ministry, what matters most is your willingness to serve and pray.

Participation is open to adults of all ages, and we encourage you to consider this unique opportunity to share the love of Christ with children in need around the world.

This year, we will be serving at the largest of the eight OCC Processing Centers in the U.S.—Charlotte, NC. Here, all the shoeboxes collected nationwide are inspected, sealed, and prepared for overseas shipment. Our primary responsibility will be helping with this process, but the most important role we have is covering each shoebox in prayer.

You’ll have the opportunity to see God at work through OCC and play a vital part in ensuring that each child receives a shoebox filled not only with gifts but also with love and prayers.

Trip Information:

We will have two important pre-trip meetings on November 9 and November 23. These will give us a chance to get to know one another, go over trip details, and answer any questions.

Travel will be by car, with four people per vehicle. To make the drive more manageable, we will split the trip with an overnight stay each way.

Our team will serve at the Processing Center Monday through Thursday, beginning each day with devotions. The trip cost includes travel, lodging, a special Christmas dinner at the Billy Graham Evangelical Association Headquarters, and admission to the Ballantyne’s Backyard Christmas Light Display. On the return trip, we will also tour the Samaritan’s Purse disaster relief warehouse and training campus in North Wilkesboro, NC.

The team is limited to 20 people, and spots will be reserved as applications are received along with a $100 deposit payable to Ward Church. Applications due by November 1.

For any questions and applications, email naomi.mitchell@ward.church