Invited In

For over 40 years, Dr. Richard Bransford and his wife Millie have served faithfully in the mission field. As long-time partners with Samaritan’s Purse, they’ve been involved for decades with World Medical Mission at Kijabe hospital and helped support the very first Disaster Assistance Response Teams. Their conversation with Kristy covers stories from the field, lessons through years of marriage, and wisdom to trust God where He leads.

This Memorial Day, we’re honoring the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom by sharing a few names that represent many. Kristy shares hope-filled scripture and encourages listeners to pray for each Gold Star family by name. Join Melissa Strickland, a member of the podcast team and Senior Director of Communications, in prayer for families and friends who have lost a loved one in combat.

“For mothers everywhere, I pray that they would know that God is with them, God is good, His plans for them are good, and He is with them,” Bethany Gilley shared with Kristy in this special Mother’s Day episode. Bethany lives in Honduras with her husband Nathan, who is serving with Samaritan’s Purse in the World Medical Mission Post-Residency Program. She and Kristy discuss how she’s learning to engage with the Lord, support her working husband, and cultivate a Godly environment for her four children.

In the coming months, Daniel and Jessica Ruiz are moving their family to Liberia to continue to serve with Samaritan’s Purse. Kristy has the opportunity to hear their story as they share how God has equipped and prepared them for this new role. Listen as the Ruizes recount God’s goodness after serving in multiple capacities over seven years in ministry.

“His heart was for us before there was ever a human being on the planet,” said Greg Duvall. Greg serves as the educational and discipleship manager for Operational Heal Our Patriots. He shares a thoughtful message in staff devotions about Paul’s letter to the Ephesians—reminding us that we should embrace the spiritual blessings we have in Christ.

“Even when things around seem so broken and feel so hopeless, there is a hope we can cling on to, and Easter is the reminder of that hope,” shares Mark Bennett, the country director in South Sudan. This Good Friday, we are reminded of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. Join Kristy as she talks with the Samaritan’s Purse team in South Sudan about how they traditionally celebrate the coming of Easter.

“Despite all the difficulties, the challenges, and the terrorism that's very real all around us, it's a season we're reminded to pick our eyes up and look to Jesus,” says Matthew Nowery, the country director in Iraq. In this special Easter episode, Kristy calls the Samaritan’s Purse team in Iraq to hear about how they focus on the cross amidst the turmoil in their country. Their conversation dives deeper into the ways they celebrate Easter through days of shared worship, feasts, prayer, and parades.

“I’ve seen people’s lives changed because of clean water,” Ken Issacs, the vice president for programs and government relations, told Kristy in today’s episode. World Water Day, recognized on March 22, sheds light on the nearly 2.2 billion people without access to safe water. In this engaging episode surrounding water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), Ken shares about the devastating impact that lack of clean water has on a community, his background in well-drilling, and initiatives Samaritan’s Purse is implementing to provide clean water around the world.

It’s the final episode of our Valentine’s Day series! Kristy sits down with newlyweds Dave and Erin Holzhauer as they talk about balancing marriage and work. Dave is the Director of International Response while Erin serves as a Clinical Operations Specialist. Their conversation covers seeking God in singleness, laying down expectations, and advice for traveling spouses.

For the second episode of our Valentine’s Day series, Kristy invites David and Beth Thompson to talk about working in the ministry while being married and raising three kids. David serves as the Senior Director for Operation Christmas Child International, while Beth serves as the Medical Program Specialist for cleft lip and palate programming. Their conversation is filled with honesty, humor, and insight for all stages of life.