More than two decades and 5 million lives impacted: Thanks be to God

The ministry project I’m privileged to serve – Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls – is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. 

As we embark upon the coming months of celebration, including National Shoe the World Day on March 15, I have found myself reflecting on what 25 years of this ministry represents for Buckner International and I can only conclude this has all been a work of God. 

Since 1999, Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls has collected and provided 5 million pairs of shoes – and counting – to children in 86 different countries. Nearly 20,000 churches, businesses, civic groups, radio stations and families have registered to host shoe drives. 

What was once the fledgling project of a local Christian radio station has now become a ministry project that has impacted children and families in nearly every corner of the world. 

The stats are impressive. But what do these figures truly represent? 

To me, they represent 25 years of stories. Five million different stories. One of the things that has become abundantly clear to me over the past 10 years serving this ministry is that we never know what type of story a pair of shoes will find themselves in. 

Stories like 5-year-old Dulce’s – a young girl in Jocotenango, Guatemala, whose family was struggling to make ends meet – but through a pair of pink shoes was introduced to a host of programs that transformed the entire family. These programs offered her and her sisters a stable home, education, economic empowerment, and spiritual enrichment. Dulce’s family was once on the brink of losing their home and sinking into an even more vulnerable situation, but they achieved sustainability and saw their faith strengthened. This journey began with someone caring enough to carry a burden for them by providing a pair of shoes. 

These numbers represent millions of encouraging hand-written notes and prayers that have been folded into a pair of shoes – communicating to the recipient they are loved, cared for, and not forgotten by us or by God. They represent the millions of hopeful smiles that have appeared on the faces of children who have received a meaningful gift – even one as simple as a new pair of shoes. 

I think of the countless parents who have picked up an extra pair of shoes when shopping for school clothes for their own children, the Rotarians who have found a project they can rally around, local radio stations who have told the story, and the young kids, like my own, who have fundraised by selling lemonade to their neighbors – all to put a smile on the face of a child they may never meet – and to promote meeting those most basic needs of health and education. 

In Houston alone, churches such as South Main Baptist Church have collected hundreds of thousands of shoes over the course of 25 years – which have impacted children throughout the world – but also, right here in the greater Houston area. 

Recently, I had a conversation with Dr. Ron Harris, the former general manager of KCBI 90.9 – where the Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls project began (then under the name Shoes for Russian Souls). Dr. Harris made a statement – the sentiments of which have been bouncing through my mind ever since. He suggested that Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls is an example of what the Lord can do when you open your hands to his plans and not your own.

What could have been a project that impacted thousands (which would have been amazing in its own right) has become one that has impacted countless people throughout the world – and that is a work of God. 

25 years represents a longevity that is clearly built on the foundation of that open-handedness to God. And it is, I hope, that same posture that continues to drive us to pursue new, innovative ways to meet this need and compels generous friends to serve their neighbor in this way. But after 25 years, the basics are still the same – Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls promotes education, health, opportunity and HOPE through the gift of shoes. 

Learn more about Buckner Shoes at buckner.org/shoes.

Connect with additional Buckner ministries in Houston at buckner.org/Houston.

Written by Shawn Spurrier, director of Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls®.

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