On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse

During the holiday season, things get really busy. It's easy to focus on all the things that we need to get done, and it is easy to lose sight of what is truly important. Chris Johnston, who serves on our donor ministries team, encourages listeners to fix their eyes on Jesus. Chris talks with Kristy about how we can use the Samaritan's Purse Christmas Catalog to share the Gospel around the world.

Resources:

• Check out the 2024 Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Catalog.
• Have you heard the Good News of Salvation?
• Listen to “Revival After Disaster” to hear how the Church is stepping up in places like Brazil and Jamaica to share the Gospel with their neighbors in the wake of disasters.

When a storm hits in our lives, we always have a choice of how we react. Are we going to shut down and let fear paralyze us? Or, do we see the opportunity in it? This week, Kristy Graham shares how disasters often open the door for revival. Hear how the Church is stepping up in places like Brazil and Jamaica to share the Gospel with their neighbors in the wake of disasters. 

Resources:

• Read about how leaders found rest and renewed vision for ministry in flooded Brazil.
• Hear more stories from Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Beryl.
• Listen to “God Can Use It” to hear from Tim Lee, a Vietnam veteran, who shares his story of resiliency.

Oftentimes, we don’t choose the path that the Lord has for us. We don’t choose hard circumstances, but God can use it. He can use everything in our lives—good and bad—for His glory. In honor of Veteran’s Day, Kristy Graham talks with Tim Lee, a Vietnam veteran, whose story of resiliency and trust is an example of this. 

Resources:

• Learn more about Operation Heal Our Patriots.
• Hear more of Tim Lee’s story when he shared at the Operation Heal Our Patriots reunion earlier this year.
• Listen to “An Instrument for God’s Glory” to hear how a simple shoebox gift made Devon feel seen and loved by God and changed the course of his life.

God had a purpose for Devon’s life, a plan he could have never imagined. At 12 years old, Devon received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox. This simple gift made Devon feel seen and loved by God and changed the course of his life. Hear how Devon has been an instrument for God’s glory through every season—even through a hurricane. 

Resources:

• Find an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox drop-off location near you!
• Learn more about Operation Christmas Child.
• Hear more about the goodness of God through the Hurricane Beryl response.
• Listen to “Beauty From Ashes: Hurricane Helene” to hear how Billy Graham Chaplains are coming alongside homeowners after Hurricane Helene, sharing the hope of Jesus Christ.

This week, Kristy Graham highlights an invaluable aspect of ministry in the Hurricane Helene response: the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Rapid Response Team Chaplains. Josh Holland, the international director of this team, talks about what it is like ministering to someone in their toughest moment. Hear stories from Josh’s time serving in the Asheville area and Scripture that uplifts him through heartache.

Resources:

• Read about Samaritan’s Purse Hurricane Helene response.
• God provides comfort in the wake of a storm.
• Learn more about the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Rapid Response Team.
• Listen to “God’s Love Showed Up: Hurricane Helene” to hear the Roten family’s story of trust and faith in God during Hurricane Helene from Samaritan’s Purse staff devotions.

Flood waters from Hurricane Helene rushed through the Roten family’s property, but they trusted in the Lord. Even after the water receded and losing almost everything, they can clearly see God's faithfulness. Hear this story from Samaritan’s Purse staff devotions and be encouraged amid the storms going on in your life.

Resources:

• Watch “Love Showed Up.”
• Read about Samaritan’s Purse Hurricane Helene Response.
• God provides comfort in the wake of a storm.
• Listen to “Hope in Heartache: Hurricane Helene” to hear how, in this seemingly hopeless situation, God provides a peace that cannot be shaken.

When Hurricane Helene devastated communities throughout the Southeast, thousands of volunteers stepped up to serve in Jesus’ Name. Kristy Graham talked with Samaritan’s Purse staff from North American Ministries and International Projects about the uniqueness of the response and how in this seemingly hopeless situation, God gives a peace that cannot be shaken. Samaritan’s Purse is a beacon in a difficult time, pointing those hurting to the hope of the Gospel.

Resources:

• Learn more about Samaritan’s Purse Hurricane Helene Response.
• Read how God provides comfort in the wake of a storm.
• Listen to “Opening Doors in Israel and Gaza” to hear how God is helping Samaritan’s Purse work in a tough region.

God is miraculously opening doors for Samaritan’s Purse to respond in both Israel and Gaza. Bev Kauffeldt and John Silkman, who are helping lead this response, share about what the Lord is teaching them personally and about our partners on the ground. One year after Hamas attacked Israel and the war began, God is equipping Samaritan’s Purse to give hope to the hopeless. 

• Watch how Samaritan’s Purse is bringing relief to Israel and Gaza.
• Read about the armored ambulances Samaritan’s Purse gifted to Magen David Adom.
• Listen to “First Responders in Israel: The Morning of October 7” to hear how two first responders saw God’s hand at work even in the midst of great tragedy.
• Listen to “Leading in Humble Confidence: Israel” to hear from John Silkman about how he strives to walk in humble confidence as he leads in a tense region of the world.

Relinquishing control is hard, but God is sovereign. Dave Philips, a deputy director for international projects at Samaritan’s Purse, shares how we can witness suffering firsthand, and choose to surrender it to the Lord—trusting Him with everything. Hear powerful Scripture that Dave clung to during his recent trip to Sudan.

Resources:

• Read more about how Samaritan’s Purse is helping save lives in Sudan.
• Listen to “Fighting Spiritual Battles: Human Trafficking in Berlin” to hear how Alabaster Jar volunteers and staff come alongside women trapped in prostitution to show them they are daughters deeply cherished by God.

In the red light district of Berlin, thousands of women are trapped in prostitution. Oftentimes, these women feel dirty and unworthy of love. Alabaster Jar volunteers and staff come alongside these women to show them they are daughters deeply cherished by God. Marina and Mariana, who lead Alabaster Jar for Samaritan’s Purse Germany, talked with Kristy about the power of prayer and what it’s like to witness God transforming hearts amid such deep spiritual darkness.

• Read further about Alabaster Jar from our Affiliate Office based in Germany. 
• Learn more about how Samaritan’s Purse is combatting human trafficking around the world. 
• Learn more about God’s love and how you can accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.
• Listen to “Finding Treasure in the Field” to hear how Jeremy Zerkle has seen the Church step up after devastating disasters across the U.S.