Samaritan's Purse is speaking out after a blog from 2017 began to recirculate online once again, in which it says all pastors and/or churches have to pay money to distribute OCC shoe boxes. 

Samaritan's Purse, which distributes Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes around the globe doesn't deny that some pastors did pay for the boxes in one location. However, they say, it was a misunderstanding lost in translation.

When Samaritan's Purse first heard the rumour they say they conducted an investigation and "were disappointed to find that this incident was true."

The Christian charity says that they are also taking steps where the incident took place to correct it. 

"A blog that was published in 2017 has recirculated stating that in a province in Zambia, pastors were charged money for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. We promptly investigated and were disappointed to find that this incident was true. We have made changes in our global national training program to emphasize that this cannot happen. Shoebox gifts are to be given freely in Jesus’ Name, at no charge to the churches or recipients. Corrective action is currently being taken within this province in Zambia.

"As we head into the 25th season of Operation Christmas Child, we celebrate what God has done and look forward to sharing the Gospel with millions of children around the world. Every shoebox matters because it is an opportunity to reach a child for Jesus Christ. Join us in praying for each child who will receive a shoebox gift this year and for the 5 million who will be participating in our 12-lesson discipleship program, The Greatest Journey."