February 2026

Westbrook-Walnut Grove Huddles Up To Serve

For the past nine years, a simple cardboard shoebox has become a powerful symbol of faith, generosity, and global impact for the Westbrook-Walnut Grove (WWG) Huddle. Led by Huddle Coach Paula Byers, students have faithfully partnered with Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse that collects shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items for children around the world. Each box carries not only tangible joy, but also a clear expression of God’s love as the gospel is shared with every child who receives one.

What began as a service project has grown into a meaningful tradition for the WWG huddle.

With the support of generous church members who donate funds for shopping and packing, and local businesses that open their doors for the group to share a meal and pack boxes together, the project has become somewhat of a shared community effort. Paula sees God’s hand at work in every detail. “A box may contain the exact thing a child across the globe may need,” she says. “God will use it to bring them into a relationship with Jesus. With each box that is distributed, the gospel is presented. The shoeboxes are a great way for our FCA kids to get the gospel in the hands of other kids. Entire villages have come to faith because a child received a box of gifts and heard about Jesus. FCA does the same thing! We get the gospel in the hearts and minds of athletes and coaches to change the world for Jesus.”



Paula’s husband, Bruce, has seen firsthand how this project has opened doors beyond the huddle itself. “Often, kids who do not attend FCA will come to the Operation Christmas Child shopping and packing event,” he reflects. “This gives each FCA student an opportunity to share the Gospel, planting a seed for future growth in Christ. It’s humbling to know we are part of a massive effort to share the Good News of Jesus, and it’s a great example of the Body of Christ working together.”

The service project allows for unexpected moments to reinforce just how far the impact can reach. Cashiers often pause in wonder as the group of students push full carts through checkout lines, prompting conversations about why they are shopping. “This past year,” Paula recalls, “a woman stopped my husband and me to ask what the kids were doing. When she found out, she donated toward the project on the spot.” Another year, the group packed boxes at a local restaurant, where the manager shared that he had once packed Operation Christmas Child boxes with his own children who are now grown and packing boxes with their children. The legacy of generosity had multiplied.

For WWG’s student-athletes, the experience has left a lasting impression. Senior Leah C. shared that participating in Operation Christmas Child broadened her perspective. “It opened my mind to how a service project like this can have a meaningful impact on others,” she said. “I learned that it is often easy to make someone’s day a little better or a little easier by giving to charity or participating in activities like this.”

Sophomore Annika K. reflected on how the project emphasized the simplicity and significance of giving. “Participating in this service project helps me realize that we are giving to real people all over the world, not just names on a box,” she said. “Everyone who participated understood the importance of giving to others during the holiday season, and it reminded us to be thankful and remember the true reason for the season.”

Junior Lily R. echoed those sentiments while highlighting the project’s eternal impact. “We have joy knowing that the few hours spent shopping could change the lives of so many children,” she said. “Not only are we able to give them presents, but we also give them the chance to receive the gift of eternal life.”

As Paula reflects on nearly a decade of packing boxes and praying over children she will never know personally, her heart is full. “I imagine these kids meeting in heaven one day,” she says, “embracing and talking about how God used a simple gift to change a life. The thought makes my heart soar.” Her encouragement to other huddles is heartfelt and confident, “It is the most rewarding, impactful, and heart-touching thing you will do in your year. Your cup will be so full, your students’ cups will be full, and the world will change because you saw a need and met it in Jesus’ name.”



Through shoeboxes packed with care and prayers offered in faith, the WWG huddle is playing a small but significant role in God’s story working toward the day when there will be “a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9–10)

Praise the Lord for willing hearts, gracious donors, and dedicated volunteers who help the WWG huddle make a lasting impact for the Kingdom! Keep shining Jesus’ light, WWG!

(Photo courtesy of samaritanspurse.org)

“My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and

prove to be my disciples.”

John 15:8

UPCOMING SWMN FCA EVENTS:

Jr. Sports Camp 6/4/26 (registration set to begin March 1st)

Fields of Faith 10/7/26

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 ROBIN KNUDSON rknudson@fca.org

SW MN Area Director

WENDY GRAVEN  wgraven@fca.org

SW MN Administrative Assistant