On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse

Jesus left the 99 to go after the one. Samaritan's Purse cataract mission teams strive to emulate this as they perform hundreds of eye surgeries over the course of a few days. Our teams never lose sight of the one that God has placed in their path. They rejoice over the opportunity to minister and love someone the way Jesus loves them. The program manager, Bethany Densham, shares about witnes...

Dara's life hung in the balance. The Bolivian 6-year-old desperately needed heart surgery. Hear how her and her grandmother, Judi, visited the United States and God used a family to heal not one heart, but two, through Children’s Heart Project. Resources: Learn more about Children’s Heart Project! Hear Part 1 of baby Deo’s miracle story . Listen to “Finding True Rest in Christ” to hear what t...

We are a restless society. We seek after things in this world that we think will give us rest, but our true rest is in Jesus. Kristy sits down with Jeremy Zerkle, a staff chaplain at Samaritan’s Purse, to discuss what the Bible says about rest, and how we can rest in the Lord.  Resources: Listen to “Not Ashamed of the Gospel” to hear from Enrico Lange, who grew up in communist East Germany.  

Growing up in East Germany was never easy for Enrico. Under the communist regime, it was a place with immense spiritual darkness. But the Lord softened Enrico’s heart little by little, revealing his need for a Savior and leading him to Christ. Now a staff member of Samaritan’s Purse Germany, Enrico’s most treasured possession is the Gospel—he can’t help but share it. Resources: Hear from Marina, a...

We’re taking you on the ground to West Virginia, where patients received brand-new eyeglasses, compassionate medical and dental care, and most importantly, the hope of Jesus at a Samaritan’s Purse Community Medical Outreach clinic. Hear how this blessed patients, as they were given eyes to see Christ. Resources: Serve at a Community Medical Outreach clinic ! Listen to “The Body of Christ in Action...

Service has the ability to radically change us. God can use serving others to mold and shape our hearts to look more like His. This is what happened in Angie’s life—a volunteer Kristy met while on the ground in Mississippi. Hear how the Lord is using Angie’s testimony to show others that they are never too far from Him. Resources: Step out and serve with U.S. Disaster Relief ! Listen to “Stories F...

As believers, we do not remember Sept. 11, 2001, without hope. In remembering the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, Kristy and her husband, Edward Graham, talk about how even in hard times—with the Lord's help—we can be fruitful in affliction.  Resources: Listen to “Remembering 9/11: A Conversation with Preston Parrish” to hear what it was like being at Ground Zero just days after 9/11, minist...

Sept. 11, 2001, was a turning point for our nation. Kristy Graham sits down with Preston Parrish, who was at Ground Zero just days after 9/11, ministering to those hurting with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. It was through this event that the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team was born.  Resources: Listen to “God Prepares in Advance” to hear how the Lord is working in and through our tea...

We don't know what is ahead in life, but the Lord does—nothing is a surprise to Him. He has prepared in advance good works for us to do. Kristy met Thomas Ovington, the Colombia country director, while she was on the ground in Venezuela. Shortly after her time there, an earthquake hit neighboring Colombia, too. Thomas shares what it has been like to serve in both disasters and the ways that G...

Amid the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, former Samaritan’s Purse Post-Resident Dr. Peter Stafford contracted the disease. The whole ministry—and many Christians around the world—interceded on Peter’s behalf, praying fervently that God would be merciful and spare his life. Hear what Peter and his wife, Dr. Rebekah Stafford, learned about trusting in the Lord through this ti...

Whether it's a wildfire, tornado, or hurricane, the impact is different—but the mission is always the same. As our teams stand with those who are suffering after disasters, we share the hope of Jesus. Kristy Graham brings you stories from recent U.S. Disaster Relief responses, where we have seen many hurting homeowners come to know the Lord and go on to be discipled. Hear from our staff who h...

Richard “Stick” Williams served in the corporate world for decades, where his Christian witness left a lasting impact. He shares how the Lord has given him opportunities to be the first in many different positions and assignments, encouraging listeners to trust that God always places us exactly where we need to be. Where may God be calling you for such a time as this?  Resources: Listen to “God Di...

As believers, we trust in God—we don’t trust in ourselves or in our own understanding. Franklin Graham joins his daughter-in-law in the studio this week to share updates from across the ministry and how he stays grounded leading Samaritan’s Purse. In a world where it is easy to get bogged down by trials and uncertainty, we are to focus on what is eternal, depending fully on the Lord for strength a...

Samaritan's Purse goes to difficult and dark places to bring hope—a hope beyond this world. Some people in Venezuela don't have any concept of this hope. Host Kristy Graham takes you on the ground to Venezuela after the earthquakes and brings you stories of how God is softening hearts and transforming lives amid this devastating disaster. Resources: Read more about Samaritan’s Purse work...

Once Deepali found Christ, her life didn't get easier—it got significantly harder. Following Jesus cost her, but she chose daily to take up her cross and follow Him. Hear Deepali’s profound testimony of fully turning from darkness to light, and how the Lord is using her gifts at the Samaritan’s Purse Liberia office.  Resources: Read more about Samaritan’s Purse work in the prisons of Liberia...

In a dark place after two horrific and devastating earthquakes, the people of Venezuela's vibrant faith are shining through—and they are praising God. The church is rising up, serving and loving one another under the banner of Christ. A Samaritan's Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team is working there right now, distributing life-saving supplies, setting up clean water points, and pro...

We are never too far gone for God's grace to cover us. And through Jesus, we can have forgiveness. Hear from Jake Southern, a former Army sergeant, who shared his testimony and the ways that God used Operation Heal Our Patriots to help transform his heart. Resources: Learn more about Operation Heal Our Patriots. Listen to “One Week in Alaska,” where Kristy takes you behind-the-scenes at a wee...

Travel to Bongolo Hospital in Gabon, Africa, where a team of World Medical Mission volunteers spent two weeks performing life-changing orthopedic surgeries and sharing the love of Christ with patients. Hear wisdom about surrendering and obedience from Jeff Lane, an anesthesiologist who first followed the Lord into the jungles of Africa over a decade ago and is now back, serving with Samaritan&apos...

Right now, a Samaritan's Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team is on the ground in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, operating two Ebola Treatment Centers to help fight this dangerous disease and stop its spread. Kristy took part in an infectious disease response training alongside our DART members, where she put on the personal protective equipment our teams wear in the field. It chang...

Kristy was recently on the ground in southern Mississippi, where a tornado tore through the tight-knit community of Lamar County. Though it left a trail of devastation, people like Pastor Jimmy Breazeale continue to praise God. Hear stories of hope and how the Lord protected their congregation during this storm.  Resources:   Serve with our U.S. Disaster Relief and Rebuild teams ! Listen to “Our M...

What has God called you into? In his work with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Viktor Hamm has witnessed God do exceedingly abundantly above anything that he could have ever asked or imagined. Viktor shares about how we can be obedient to God’s calling on our lives and the importance of discipleship in the work of evangelism.  Resources: Learn more about Franklin Graham’s festivals arou...

There are pastors all across Sudan and South Sudan boldly proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ that changed their lives, and yet doing so could cost them their very lives. Kristy hears stories from Dave Philips about his recent trip to Sudan and South Sudan, where he shares the importance of faithfulness and looking for areas in life where you can rush in with the Gospel.  Resources:   Learn mor...

God uses His people for good works to further His Kingdom. Sometimes we think we have nothing to offer, but we do because God can use your past and your pain now , in the present. Kristy sits down with Josh McCart, a former Army paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, who talked about how there is service after the service. Josh is not in uniform anymore, but he is still on mission—and this tim...

Edward Densham has seen war, famine, disease and disasters all over the world. The more we see, the easier it is to become numb or even callous toward suffering. In this week’s episode, Edward reminds us that we are to see these situations through Jesus' eyes. Kristy also reflects on scripture and shares how we can have a compassionate heart and allow that to spur us on to compassionate actio...

None of the programs out of the Samaritan's Purse Germany office could be accomplished without prayer. Hear more of Kristy’s conversation with Marina, where she highlights incredible projects like Alabaster Jar and Men Against Human Trafficking. In working with both women and men who are stuck in bondage to sin, the Germany team introduces them to a Savior, who calls them by name.  Resources:...