New Regional Manager of Samaritan's Purse from Norfolk
Trish Ellse from Wymondham, who had been volunteering as Norfolk’s Area Coordinator for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child, has been appointed as the charity's full-time Regional Manager for the East of England.
Trish Ellse, a member of Alive Church in Wymondham, became the Area Coordinator for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child (OCC) in Norfolk last August and had previously volunteered as Norfolk’s Prayer Mobility Coordinator for the Christian charity.
Now Trish has been appointed OCC Regional Manager for the East of England and is delighted to be working for the ministry full time.
Trish said: “On hearing that my predecessor was moving into a new role within Operation Christmas Child I felt God calling me to apply. I had been feeling the pull into ministry for a while and am passionate about the ministry of Operation Christmas Child. Having volunteered with OCC for three years was no guarantee I would get the position and I went through a rigorous interview process at the Samaritan’s Purse offices in Buckhurst Hill and a Skype interview with the Director in Canada. They prayerfully consider the applicants and the calling each applicant has.
“I am very excited to be appointed in this role and to be a part of the journey that God is taking the ministry on. We want to build relationships and equip Project Leaders with the tools and information on the impact a shoebox has, not only in their own church and community but also the receiving countries.”
Last year 9,585 shoeboxes packed with toys, toiletries and stationary were donated by families, churches and schools across Norfolk and given as unconditional gifts to needy children in the Ukraine. Across the UK 678,942 gift filled shoeboxes were sent via Operation Christmas Child to children across the world.
Trish explains: “The Operation Christmas Child National Leadership Teams in each receiving country work with the local church equipping them to reach into their communities to show God’s love to children through a shoebox.
“Shoeboxes are given unconditionally and all children who receive a shoebox are invited (with their parents’ permission) onto The Greatest Journey, a 12 week discipleship program to learn about Jesus. This fulfills the mission of OCC “to show God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world and together with the local church to share the good news of Jesus Christ.” As Christians we are called to love God and our neighbour and to share the good news of Jesus Christ - this is a ministry that involves the whole family being an influence for Jesus.”
If anyone would like more information on how they can be involved in the ministry of Operation Christmas Child please contact Trish on Trish.Ellse@samaritans-purse.org.uk.