A Shoebox Packed with Love and Prayer
How prayer, handmade gifts, and a simple shoebox help share the love of Jesus with children around the world

Susie Hessel • Operation Christmas Child Project Leader
October 18, 2026

3 Minute Read

I’m Susie—a wife, mom, grandma, hairdresser, and longtime member of Cornerstone Christian Center in Basalt. I love people, and I love finding ways to share God’s love with them. Operation Christmas Child has become one of those ways for me.

It started with an invitation

My good friend Becky McDaniel had been an Operation Christmas Child project leader for many years. She invited me to packing parties and to “Crafternoons,” where local women gather to make special handmade gifts for shoeboxes.

Each time I went, I felt such joy being with women who were led by the Holy Spirit to create beautiful gifts and pray for children around the world.

One day, Roz Fowler, the Rocky Mountain area coordinator for Operation Christmas Child, asked if I would prayerfully consider becoming a project leader for Cornerstone. There wasn’t a leader at the church then, and I felt honored to help fill that need. I spoke with Pastor Jim, and he was excited to start the ministry up again.

Now, in my third year volunteering alongside my co-leader, Claudia Newell, we become even more excited each year about sharing the love of Jesus around the world. I’m truly blessed and grateful to be part of such an impactful ministry.

“Each year, we became more on fire to spread the love of Jesus around the world”
A gift chosen with a child in mind

When I pack a shoebox, I think about the child who will receive it. You choose a boy or girl and an age group—2–4, 5–9, or 10–14—and try to make the box:

  • Fun: Include a special “wow” item the child will love.
  • Full: Fill the box with gifts.
  • Personal: Add a note of encouragement, Scripture, or perhaps a photo.
The most important thing to pack

Most of all, pray for the child who will open the box. Prayer is the most important thing to pack.

The $10 donation helps cover shipping and supports gospel teaching translated into more than 118 languages. I think of each shoebox as a mustard seed spreading the love of Jesus around the world.

“Prayer is the most important thing to pack in a box.”
The story continues after the gift

Every child who receives a shoeboxes is invited to take part in The Greatest Journey, a 12-lesson discipleship course that helps them learn how to follow Christ and share Him with others.

To me, this is one way we can live out Jesus’ words to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). I also think of His invitation: “Let the little children come to me” (Matthew 19:14).

You can take part, wherever you are

Our church will have boxes available beginning October 25, with the collection ending November 15. If you can’t attend Cornerstone in person or pick up a physical box, you can still participate by building and sending one online.

Build a box online


I hope you’ll consider packing a shoebox and praying for the child who receives it. It’s a practical way to serve, and you never know how God may use that simple gift. - Bless you, Susie

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October 18, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
A Shoebox Packed with Love and Prayer
I’m Susie—a wife, mom, grandma, hairdresser, and longtime member of Cornerstone Christian Center in Basalt. I love people, and I love finding ways to share God’s love with them. Operation Christmas Child has become one of those ways for me. It started with an invitation My good friend Becky McDaniel had been an Operation Christmas Child project leader for many years. She invited me to packing parties and to “Crafternoons,” where local women gather to make special handmade gifts for shoeboxes. Each time I went, I felt such joy being with women who were led by the Holy Spirit to create beautiful gifts and pray for children around the world. One day, Roz Fowler, the Rocky Mountain area coordinator for Operation Christmas Child, asked if I would prayerfully consider becoming a project leader for Cornerstone. There wasn’t a leader at the church then, and I felt honored to help fill that need. I spoke with Pastor Jim, and he was excited to start the ministry up again. Now, in my third year volunteering alongside my co-leader, Claudia Newell, we become even more excited each year about sharing the love of Jesus around the world. I’m truly blessed and grateful to be part of such an impactful ministry. “Each year, we became more on fire to spread the love of Jesus around the world” A gift chosen with a child in mind When I pack a shoebox, I think about the child who will receive it. You choose a boy or girl and an age group—2–4, 5–9, or 10–14—and try to make the box: Fun: Include a special “wow” item the child will love. Full: Fill the box with gifts. Personal: Add a note of encouragement, Scripture, or perhaps a photo. The most important thing to pack Most of all, pray for the child who will open the box. Prayer is the most important thing to pack. The $10 donation helps cover shipping and supports gospel teaching translated into more than 118 languages. I think of each shoebox as a mustard seed spreading the love of Jesus around the world. “Prayer is the most important thing to pack in a box.” The story continues after the gift Every child who receives a shoeboxes is invited to take part in The Greatest Journey, a 12-lesson discipleship course that helps them learn how to follow Christ and share Him with others. To me, this is one way we can live out Jesus’ words to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). I also think of His invitation: “Let the little children come to me” (Matthew 19:14). You can take part, wherever you are Our church will have boxes available beginning October 25, with the collection ending November 15. If you can’t attend Cornerstone in person or pick up a physical box, you can still participate by building and sending one online.Build a box online I hope you’ll consider packing a shoebox and praying for the child who receives it. It’s a practical way to serve, and you never know how God may use that simple gift. - Bless you, Susie

Susie Hessel

Operation Christmas Child Project Leader

September 23, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
See You at the Pole: Students Lead Our Campus in Prayer
See You At The Pole - 2026 🙏 🇺🇸 This morning, Cornerstone’s Christian School joined thousands of schools across the country for See You at the Pole—an annual event where Christian students gather before school to pray. Right away, it was clear this wasn’t a small moment. Students from the youngest grades to the oldest stood together with parents, teachers, and staff, united around a simple purpose: to seek God. The morning included worship, a pledge to the U.S. flag, and a pledge to the Christian flag—then the center of it all: children praying out loud. As each grade took a turn, a consistent theme rose to the surface. Students prayed for our nation and its leaders to make wise decisions. They prayed for protection over those who serve. And again and again, they prayed that people would know Jesus—a reminder that even at a young age, they understand what matters most. Pastor Jim also shared a brief story from American history to connect faith with perseverance. He highlighted Betsy Ross—a Christian businesswoman and single mom who endured profound loss during the Revolutionary War, losing two husbands, yet remained faithful and didn’t quit. Her steady work helped produce an early version of the American flag, a symbol that still reflects the original stripes and stars today. The takeaway was simple: faithfulness isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we live, especially when life is hard. Mornings like this are part of why Christian community and Christian education matter. The calling of the Church is not only to believe, but to pass faith and God’s stories to the next generation—so they carry the torch with humility, courage, and dependence on the Lord. “Keep prayer alive in your homes and with your children—and be pleasantly surprised about what is on their hearts to pray for.” - Jim Tarr A simple next step for families this week: find a moment at the dinner table or at bedtime and pray together—for your home, for our community, and for our nation. What we heard today shows a real maturity in our kids and a desire to pray for what is precious to God.Learn More about Cornerstone School

Cornerstone Staff