DUBLIN, Ga. — Pastor Chip Bodi had a full circle moment this year — gathering gift boxes for children around the world after he received one growing up.
Bodi is a youth pastor at First Methodist Church in Dublin but was raised in Romania, under communist rule.
"It's where I got saved, that's where I became a Christian," Bodi said.
Times were tough, but he remembers the joy of Christmas- thanks to complete strangers sending his church gift boxes through Operation Christmas Child.
Operation Christmas Child asks people to fill empty boxes with quality toys, school supplies, and personal care items, that they deliver to children around the world.
"I kept wondering, who packed this box? And why would they do that? And how did they know what we needed, or how did they know what we liked," Bodi said.
The people who sent Bodi a box didn't know anything about his story, or where he lived. But they wanted to spread Christmas cheer, and the word of God- just like Bodi is doing today.
"One lady in our church basically said, if Jesus fed 5,000, we can at least pack 500 shoeboxes," Bodi said.
To make that happen, First Methodist Church teamed up with Duncan Tire Company.
"Let them know that people in other parts of the world care abut them and want them to know Christ through this, this small gift they receive in the mail," Duncan Tire Company co-owner Rob Miller said.
Miller is a member of First Methodist Church, and said all proceeds from Tuesday's oil changes will go to Operation Christmas Child.
Bodi said seeing people help complete strangers is something really special about the Christmas season.
"Giving out, and loving and sharing with a stranger. I think the best part about the box is in the name of Christ, there are no strangers," Bodi said.
Operation Christmas Child has many churches in Central Georgia that are participating. You can find your closest church at this link.
If you'd like to support First Methodist Church in collecting 500 gift boxes, you can pick up and drop off specific boxes to fill at the church, or either of the Duncan Tire Company locations.
Collection week for the boxes is Nov. 13 - 20.