On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse

Travel to Quito, Ecuador, where you will hear what it was like for Wheaton College students and staff to take part in Operation Christmas Child outreach events and a graduation ceremony for The Greatest Journey . You will hear directly from the hearts of these students who grew up packing shoeboxes, and recently, got to witness firsthand what God is doing through this Samaritan’s Purse project aro...

Sam Hawes has served with Samaritan's Purse for more than 10 years both in the field and at international headquarters. During that time, God has been faithful to teach Sam about obedience during many changing seasons. Sam shares about surrendering to the Lord, and striving to glorify Him in everything we do. Sam also speaks about unique programming happening in Liberia that he got the privil...

God answers prayers, and the Bible tells us that we can pray about anything and everything, bringing our requests to Him. He hears us and He knows us. Kristy Graham talks with staff from across the ministry about how they have seen the faithfulness of God and witnessed prayers answered. We rejoice about what God has done in and through Samaritan’s Purse in 2024.  Resources: Listen to Hope in “Hear...

In her Christmas devotion, Kristy Graham encourages listeners to take time this season to treasure and ponder God’s Word. Kristy shares what the Lord taught her recently and how God can use the same Scriptures to reveal something new in each season. She talks about how both Mary and Simeon’s faithfulness in Luke 2 is an encouragement to her, demonstrating unwavering trust in God’s plan.  Resources...

How have you felt loved and seen by God? When Veronica received a gift-filled Operation Christmas Child shoebox, the bitterness and anger she had built up inside faded away, and instead, God’s love filled her with joy. Later, Veronica shared about this sacrificial love that changed her heart by teaching The Greatest Journey and packing shoebox gifts for other children. Veronica’s life continues to...

God's power is made perfect in our weakness. We often try to do everything in our own strength, and we quickly get to the end of ourselves. Kristy Graham sat down with Jessica Zerkle, a licensed counselor, to talk about compassion fatigue, burnout, and how she addresses suffering in the world in her own profession and as a follower of Christ.  Resources: Learn more about God’s love and how yo...

Kristy Graham recently visited Spruce Pine First Baptist Church, a North Carolina church hit hard by Hurricane Helene. Ever since the day after the storm, Pastor Rocky Branch and his congregation have been providing warm meals, housing, and relief supplies to people in their community. Despite the devastation and heartache, people within the church body are stepping up and packing Operation Christ...

This Thanksgiving season, Samaritan’s Purse had the privilege of delivering Thanksgiving meals to families in a rural North Carolina town who were devasted by Hurricane Helene. Kristy Graham helped package these meals and sat down with Bev Kauffeldt, who managed the delivery, to hear more about how this project got started.     Resources: Read more about the Turkey Distribution in Big Creek, North...

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 t...

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...

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...

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 lo...

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 t...

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...

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 di...

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 Purs...

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...

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 t...

Disasters are not a distraction from ministry, they are opportunities for ministry. Kristy Graham sat down with Jeremy Zerkle from North American Ministries, who shared Scripture and stories from the field, where he has seen the Church step up amid devastating disasters across the U.S. Resources: Volunteer with U.S. Disaster Relief ! Call the Billy Graham Prayer Line at 888-388-2683. Listen to “A...

College students from Ukraine now have the opportunity to receive a Christ-centered education at North Carolina’s Montreat College through Samaritan’s Purse. Hear from Dr. Paul Maurer, the president of Montreat College, about how the Lord has directed this partnership as well as some of these Ukrainian students about what this opportunity has meant to them and how God is working in their lives. Re...

Barry Jessen, the country director for Samaritan’s Purse in Cambodia, talked with Kristy Graham about how the Lord led him and his family to Cambodia over a decade ago. Barry shared what it has been like to see people break free from physical and spiritual bondage through anti human trafficking and safe migration programming.  Resources: Hear more from Barry Jessen about what it is like to be a co...

Travel with Kristy Graham to Lima, Peru, where you will hear what it was like to witness Operation Christmas Child outreach events and a graduation ceremony for The Greatest Journey . Many kids received shoebox gifts, but most importantly, they heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You will also hear directly from the hearts of pastors and Operation Christmas Child partners who are working diligently...

Holly Silkman talks with Kristy Graham about a new project in Israel that will impact people physically, mentally, and spiritually: an equine therapy center. Hear how the Lord opened the doors for this incredible leap of faith and what her prayer is for this program. Resources: Learn more about how Samaritan’s Purse is bringing relief to Israel and Gaza . Listen to “Leading in Humble Confidence: I...

This week, hear directly from residents of Carriacou, who are picking up the pieces after the devastation of Hurricane Beryl. Kaitlyn Josten was on the ground from the beginning of the response. She spoke with beneficiaries, pastors, and Samaritan’s Purse partners about how they are finding hope in the heartache.   Resources:   Read more about the medical teams at work in our Emergency Field Hospi...

When they didn’t feel like they could take another step, the Samaritan’s Purse team fighting Ebola in Liberia encouraged each other with Scripture. The verses they shared suddenly became a lifeline even though they had heard them countless times over the years. Kristy Graham talked with John Freyler and Dr. Lance Plyler about how they were able to lift each other up and bear one another’s burdens...