Amanda, OH - Ohio Christian University softball took time away from the field last Friday to serve others through Samaritan's Purse and Operation Christmas Child, helping prepare gifts for children around the world while putting their faith into action. 

The team began the outing by assembling health kits before moving on to packing shoeboxes for boys and girls across the world. Each shoebox provides an opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ with children. 

"When I first told the team about what we would be doing with Samaritan's purse and Operation Christmas Child, I don't think they initially grasped how awesome it was going to be," Head Coach Tony Huff said. "As we started making health kits and then moved to packing shoeboxes for little girls and boys across the world, I could see the joy on the softball team's face. I heard several say how cool it was to be a part of sharing Jesus with kids through these shoeboxes."

The experience made an impression on the players, with several expressing interest in participating again in the future. For OCU softball, the outing was about more than packing gits. It was an opportunity to serve others, encourage children and live out the team's commitment to putting Christ first. 

"Being a part of this outing is another example of how we are pursuing the King and putting Jesus first in our programs at Ohio Christian University," Huff said. 

Through opportunities like this, OCU Athletics continues to emphasize the importance of developing student-athletes who are committed to serving others and living out their faith both on and off the field.