Overseas missions will benefit this Christmas from the efforts of Integrity Music artist Lincoln Brewster and Christian jewelry maker Bob Siemon Designs.

Proceeds from Brewster’s Joy to the World best-selling debut Christmas recording and his Christmas tour will be donated to the Covenant Kids Congo initiative. In addition, a limited-edition Fender Stratocaster guitar, played in concert by Brewster and featuring artwork by performance painter David Garibaldi, was auctioned at each tour date to further aid the outreach effort.

A partnership of World Vision and the Evangelical Covenant Church in the United States and Canada, the initiative targets child sponsorships in the Equateur Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country ranking last on the United Nations Index of Human Development.

“Ultimately Christmas is a celebration of the greatest Gift ever given, so we wanted to do something we’ve never done before and make this all about giving,” Brewster said. “When we heard the story of this particular area of the Congo—where they often don’t name their kids until they are at least 3 years old because the infant mortality rate is so high—we knew we had to do something to help.”

Released in October, Joy to the World (Provident Distribution) spent two consecutive weeks in the Top 5 on Billboard’s Holiday Albums chart and debuted at No. 1 on iTunes Holiday Music Top Albums chart. 

Brewster concluded his tour Dec. 9 and will oversee the music for Christmas services at Bayside Church in Sacramento, Calif., where he is worship arts pastor.

Also based in California, Bob Siemon Designs has teamed up with Operation Christmas Child (OCC) project through Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse. Recent figures from the gift company show that nearly 66,000 necklaces and bracelets will make their way into the hands of OCC boys and girls.

“Up to $521,235.64 worth of Operation Christmas Child necklaces and bracelets are being donated in 2012,” said Marketing Coordinator Theresa Maloney.

The project gives people across the U.S. an opportunity to introduce impoverished children around the world to God’s love by filling a shoebox with toys, school supplies and items of necessity. OCC expects the 100-millionth shoebox to be sent in 2012.

Aiming to reach the world with a message of hope, Bob Siemon Designs created new pendants and bracelets for boys and girls this year. For each pendant or bracelet purchased at $7.99 retail, the company will donate a pendant or bracelet to OCC. Both designs are made with an adjustable cord to fit children of all ages and are made in America from 100% lead-free pewter.

“Supporting a cause like Operation Christmas Child is an incredible way for retailers, churches, the media and our communities to give back,” said Bob Siemon, founder of Bob Siemon Designs. “We are honored and thrilled to be working with Operation Christmas Child! For every one sold, one will be given.”

OCC shoeboxes are expected to reach children in more than 100 countries.

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