Steve Nickel, vice president of Donor Ministries at Samaritan’s Purse, sits down with Kristy Graham to share his heart for the Lord and how he has been blessed through interacting with faithful supporters of the ministry. Steve talks about how he followed God’s call to come to Samaritan’s Purse and what it looks like to abide in Christ daily.

Resources:

• Learn more about how you can give your time through volunteering with North American Ministries.
• Steps to Peace with God.
• Listen to our latest episode to hear how Appalachian State Mountaineers packed hundreds of Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes for kids around the world. 

• Watch this video about the Appalachian State University football packing party.
• It’s not too late to build an Operation Christmas Child shoebox online.
• Learn more about how you can host your own packing party in 2024.
• Listen to Banding Together as the Body of Christ: Hurricane Otis to hear how Samaritan’s Purse is providing physical and spiritual relief to those hurting in Acapulco.

With the Christmas season upon us, we look back with thanksgiving to the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. While reading Luke 1, Kristy Graham was convicted by the faithful example Mary set when the angel appeared before her and said she would give birth to the Son of God. In this Christmas devotion, Kristy discusses four character qualities Mary possessed that we can learn from: submission, fellowship, suffering, and praise.

Resources:

• Listen to Cissie Graham Lynch’s podcast episode on Fearless to hear what first inspired Kristy to study Mary this year.
• Listen to “Banding Together as the Body of Christ: Hurricane Otis” to hear how Samaritan’s Purse is providing physical and spiritual relief to those hurting in Acapulco.
• Read these passages that Kristy mentioned in the episode.
  • Luke 1:37-55
  • Psalm 16:11
  • Psalm 66:2
  • Genesis 12:1
  • Hebrews 11:8
  • Luke 22:42
  • Galatians 6:2
  • Psalm 43
  • Luke 2
  • Romans 5:1-5
  • John 16:33
  • John 3:16

When a Category 5 hurricane ravaged the coastal city of Acapulco, Mexico, in October, tens of thousands of people were devastated. They felt hopeless. Four Samaritan’s Purse departments—North American Ministries, International Projects, Hispanic Initiatives, and Operation Christmas Child—as well as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association all joined together to provide physical and spiritual relief to those who are hurting in Acapulco. 

Resources:

• Read about Edward Graham’s recent trip to Acapulco in which he encouraged homeowners and met with local pastors.
• Have you heard the Good News?
• Listen to our latest episode to hear testimonies from both sides of an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift—those who pack and those who receive.

Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes will soon be sent out to the nations, giving millions of children the opportunity to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This week, we are covering the impact on both sides of the shoebox—from the generous packers to the children who receive them. Dania, who grew up in the Middle East and received a shoebox gift as a child, shares how this simple gift gave her hope. After Dania’s story, Kristy Graham takes listeners to the processing center in Boone, North Carolina where she asked volunteers why they pack shoeboxes.

Resources:

• Read Leila Mae Cummings’s story where she shares that Age Is No Obstacle for Shoebox Packing.
• Build an Operation Christmas Child shoebox online.
•  A brief glimpse at both sides of a shoebox gift.
• Listen to last week’s episode to hear from two Israeli first responders who were serving on the ground when Hamas attacked Israel on the morning of October 7.

Kristy Graham talked to two first responders who were serving on the ground when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. Hadass and Uri, workers for Magen David Adom, an emergency medical service for Israel, shared how they saw God’s hand at work even in the midst of great tragedy.

Resources:

• Read about how Samaritan’s Purse is Providing Ambulances and Other Life-Saving Support in Israel.
• Have you heard the Good News of Salvation?
• Listen to last week’s episode about answered prayers from across the ministry in 2023. 

God is so good, and He hears our prayers—big or small. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on what we are grateful for and the ways the Lord has answered our prayers. Sometimes He gives us what we want, but oftentimes, He gives us what we need in His timing. In this week’s episode, hear numerous stories of answered prayers from across Samaritan’s Purse in 2023.

Kristy Graham sat down with her father-in-law, Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham, to hear his thoughts on ways to give this season through the Christmas catalog. From providing a family with a milk cow to building a well for a community, there are numerous ways to bless people all around the world this Christmas and share the Gospel.

Resources:

• Shop the Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Catalog.
• Call the Billy Graham Prayer Line at 888-388-2683.
•  Visit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website.
•  Listen to our latest episode in honor of Veteran’s Day.

Samaritan’s Purse honors the faithful military service of our veterans. This Veteran’s Day, we are celebrating the work that God is doing through Operation Heal Our Patriots, which not only saves marriages, but lives as well. Military couples hear the Gospel and find hope and healing through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Kristy Graham talked with Matthew and Dawn Sheppard, a couple who was completely changed this summer through their participation in Operation Heal Our Patriots. Hear how God transformed their marriage, and how the veteran's suicide rate became more than just a statistic to them. 

Resources: 

• Find out more about the life-saving ministry of Operation Heal Our Patriots.
• Apply for next season of Operation Heal Our Patriots.
•  Learn more about the Good News of salvation.
• Listen to our latest episode to hear from members of our national staff who consistently go above and beyond in their communities.

Samaritan’s Purse could not do what we do without thousands of national staff who serve faithfully in their home countries. Hear directly from members of our national staff from across the world who consistently go above and beyond in their communities. Kristy Graham spoke with Edward Densham, the senior director of International Projects, to discuss the vital role national staff fulfill for our ministry.

Resources: 

• Watch the two-part documentary about Samaritan’s Purse work in Ukraine.
• Read more about livelihood projects in Cambodia that are restoring hope for countless families.
•  Start your new life with Christ.
• Listen to What Is the Gospel?