If you’re reading the news headlines and you find yourself tired or overwhelmed by the pain and suffering in our world, you’re not alone. Many Christians are struggling to figure out how to grieve with compassion for the number of disasters plaguing communities near and far. Kristy Graham sits down with Jeremy Zerkle to talk about why Christians should care when others are hurting. 

Resources:

• Listen to our episode with Jeremy’s wife about her work as a licensed counselor and how she addresses compassion fatigue, burnout, and suffering in the world through her profession and as a follower of Christ.
• Listen to “A Journey Up the Amazon River” to hear the incredible story of bringing Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to an isolated ethnic group in Peru.

Take a trip with Kristy Graham to the ends of the earth where a team delivers Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to an unreached people group deep in the jungles of Peru. For the first time the Chapra people hear the Gospel in their heart language, opening the door for future generations to learn about Jesus. 

Resources:

• Learn more about Operation Christmas Child and how you can get involved.
• Watch how the Gospel changed an isolated Amazon village forever.
• Listen to “Trusting God: A Conversation with Ken Isaacs” to hear how God has enabled Ken to run into the fire throughout his life.

Hear how God used a well driller with no international experience or college degrees to accomplish His purposes around the world. Ken Isaacs has served with Samaritan’s Purse for decades and today leads our international relief efforts. Kristy recently sat down with him to hear how God continues to direct his steps, enabling him to run to the fire. It may not be an easy path, but God can use you in mighty ways when you are willing to say yes.

Resources:

• Ken Isacc’s new book, Running to the Fire is available for purchase here. You can also find it on Audible.
• Learn more about the Disaster Assistance Response Team.
• Listen to “Beyond the Church Walls: Serving in Your Community” to be challenged in your service for Christ.

As we begin a new year, join Kristy Graham as she hears testimonies of how churches are taking bold steps to serve their communities in unique ways, that are bringing people to salvation in Jesus Christ. This episode challenges listeners to look for ways to increase their acts of service outside the walls of their church.  

Resources:

• Learn more about becoming a Lighthouse Church to serve as a home base during a disaster response in your community or even maintaining a Disaster Response Vehicle (DRV) at your church.
• Find a local Operation Christmas Child event in your community to get involved in!
• Listen to “Near to the Brokenhearted” to hear a testimony from Operation Christmas Child on how the Lord’s power is made perfect in our weakness.

At 10 years old, Alyona received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift, and the Lord used it mightily to reveal more of His character and His heart. After years of loss, God filled Alyona with hope, healing her broken heart. Now, Alyona’s story is a testimony of how the Lord’s power is made perfect in our weakness. 

Resources:

• Learn more about Operation Christmas Child.
• It’s not too late to build an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift online!
• Listen to “A Legacy of Missions” to hear how the Lord instilled a passion for medical missions in a father and son neurosurgeon team.

Earlier this year, Kristy went to Tenwek Hospital and met a father and son neurosurgeon team serving with World Medical Mission. Hear from this family—Dr. Charles Branch and his son, Dr. Byron Branch—with three generations of neurosurgeons about their faith and passion for the Gospel.

Resources:

•  Learn more about World Medical Mission and how you can get involved.
•  Listen to “Drawing Near to God: Comfort After the Storm,” to hear how Samaritan’s Purse is responding in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa.

Almost two months after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica, people continue to get through this hard season by drawing near to God and clinging to their faith. Kristy hears stories of resilience and hope on the island from Samaritan’s Purse teams on the ground and the people they are serving.

Resources: 

• Listen to “Amid the Storm, God Answers Prayers: Hurricane Melissa” to hear more about a disaster responder’s first impressions as he arrived in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa. 
• Learn more about Samaritan’s Purse and their work in Jamaica.
• Join the Disaster Assistance Response Team and help in Jesus’ Name around the world.
• Listen to “How Honeybees and Baby Chicks Change Lives” to hear how teams are demonstrating God’s love in Iraq through programming that provides families with an income while restoring purpose and dignity to those who have lost hope.

How can something as simple as honeybees or baby chicks change lives? Matt Nowery, the country director for Samaritan’s Purse office in Iraq, talks with Kristy Graham about how teams are sharing the love of Jesus Christ in a difficult place for ministry. Honeybee and baby chick programming provides families with an income while restoring purpose and dignity to people who have lost hope. Hear stories of families in Iraq whose lives are forever changed through these projects. 

Resources:

• Browse through the Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Catalog.
• Read more about how honeybees are making an eternal impact.
• Learn about the ways baby chicks are blessing families around the world. 
• Listen to “Amid the Storm, God Answers Prayers: Hurricane Melissa,” where you will hear how Samaritan’s Purse is responding in Jamaica.

On October 28, Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without shelter, clean water, or medical care. Many areas across the island were completely cutoff and inaccessible. Kristy talks with two of our Disaster Assistance Response Team members, Dave Holzhauer and Bev Kauffeldt, about the numerous ways that Samaritan’s Purse is helping on the island. They share how they are witnessing the Lord answer prayers during this response.

Kristy Graham sits down with her sister-in-law, Cissie Graham Lynch, to talk about the gift of the Gospel and how you can play a role in sharing the Gospel around the world this holiday season. For many years, Cissie and Kristy have had the privilege of witnessing the Lord work in and through Samaritan’s Purse, and they share stories about how God has changed hearts and blessed communities, all because of the hope of the Gospel.