On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

People who become Christians in Cambodia often face persecution and anger from their families, but the country is desperate for hope. As spiritual revival sweeps the region, a translator working with Operation Christmas Child finds herself inspired to do more for the Kingdom.

Resources:

• Read more about Operation Christmas Child in Cambodia and how Samaritan’s Purse is working in the country.
• Learn more about how you can pack a shoebox this year.
• Listen to “Setting Bones and Sharing Hope,” the story of an orthopedic surgical team’s trip to Nigeria with World Medical Mission and of patients who find healing in Christ.

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?

The deputy director of Mission Aviation Services, Matt Olson, has flown injured children to receive care, transported Bibles to faraway places, and shepherded our staff safely to their destinations, all through the means of aviation. We’ll take you behind the scenes to hear what Matt recently shared during staff devotions about the simplicity of the Gospel. Kristy talks with Matt about his testimony and the way he's seen God work while taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Resources: 

• Learn more about how Samaritan’s Purse uses aviation as a means to share the Gospel.
• Read about how to share your faith with others. 
• Listen to our latest episode about our work on the ground in Israel, Armenia, Morocco, and Libya.

Samaritan’s Purse is hard at work in Israel, Armenia, Morocco, and Libya. Hear directly from leadership about how Samaritan’s Purse is serving people in need there. Kristy Graham also talks to the team lead on the ground in Israel to hear his first-hand perspective and share ways to pray.

Resources:

• A message from Franklin Graham on Israel.
• Read about how our team on the ground in Armenia is showing God’s love by treating burn victims. 
• Read more about how Samaritan’s Purse has rushed aid to Armenia.