On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse

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. 

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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. 

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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 God has prepared and equipped our teams. 

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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 time of uncertainty. 

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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 have been on the ground witnessing these divine appointments unfold.

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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? 

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Listen to “God Directs Our Paths: A Conversation with Franklin Graham,” where you will hear how Graham stays grounded leading Samaritan’s Purse. 

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 and direction.

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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.

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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. 

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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 providing medical care. Hear incredible stories from our staff on the ground helping with distributions and serving at the Emergency Field Hospital. 

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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.

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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's Purse on a short-term medical missions trip. 

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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 changed her. Hear Kristy’s thoughts as she gets in the suit and from our staff as they share why they are willing to say yes to serving in the DRC. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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Learn more about the Church Reconstruction Program in South Sudan.

Listen to “Suffering for Christ’s Sake” to hear our recent episode on the Church R...

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 time it’s a different kind of mission. 

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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 action. 

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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. 

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Without God's perfect love, we cannot be free from condemnation and the bondage that we all face here on earth. But with God, we can live life and live it abundantly. Before knowing the Lord, Marina was living in bondage. Hear Marina’s incredible testimony and the ways God is using her story now as she serves in the Samaritan’s Purse Germany office. 

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God has worked many miracles throughout Alex’s life—surviving the Rwandan genocide, receiving an Operation Christmas Child shoebox that planted seeds for the Gospel, and most recently, living on the other side of a brain tumor. Alex talks about how serving the Lord doesn't mean that challenging and even painful things will not happen in our lives. But we can take heart because God, our refuge and strength, has overcome the world.

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Kristy Graham takes you on a tour through a Samaritan’s Purse Community Medical Outreach clinic where she witnessed the faithful service of the body of Christ. A team of more than 100 volunteers from North Carolina’s West Burnsville Baptist Church and Samaritan's Purse joined hands to minister to people from all walks of life, many of whom may never have set foot in a church otherwise. 

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The Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) couldn’t operate without the people working tirelessly behind the scenes in roles like water and sanitation, construction, and finance. Hear stories of how God has used people with all skillsets and backgrounds to serve others through disaster response.

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Almost a year and a half ago, Hurricane Helene changed western North Carolina forever—not just the landscape, but the people and the churches. One church that stepped up to respond was Alliance Bible Fellowship, located in the backyard of Samaritan’s Purse International Headquarters. Hear how this church is still partnering with Samaritan's Purse and continuing to preach the Gospel. 

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No matter what is happening around you, God is faithful. Amid four years of war and tribulation in Ukraine, Pastor Daniel and his congregation continue clinging to these words: God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. Hear stories from the frontlines in Ukraine and how the Lord is working in the hearts and minds of those suffering. 

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God likes to call us out of our comfort zone, but often we hesitate out of fear—we like the comfort and safety of the life we have known. But stepping out in faith is where true growth happens. Edward Graham, chief operating officer at Samaritan’s Purse, shares what God has taught him in leadership, both in the military but also in ministry. Hear how you, too, can step out in faith and obedience to the Lord, in whatever He has for you. 

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Hundreds of churches once bombed and burned to the ground are not only standing again but thriving in Sudan and South Sudan. Hear stories of pastors who experienced intense persecution and how their faith sustained them. 

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When someone put a gun in his face, a pilot named Jim had a choice—he could either let fear take over or he could trust Jesus with his life. As Jim’s plane was hijacked in Africa, the Lord brought Scriptures back to his mind and reminded him that there is power in the Name of Jesus. Hear from Jim Streit, who was in the air, and from Matt Olson, who was on the ground in North Carolina, about how God came through in a mighty way. 

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When someone put a gun in his face, a pilot named Jim had a choice—he could either let fear take over or he could trust Jesus with his life. As Jim’s plane was hijacked in Africa, the Lord brought Scriptures back to his mind and reminded him that there is power in the Name of Jesus. Hear from Jim Streit, who was in the air, and from Matt Olson, who was on the ground in North Carolina, about how God came through in a mighty way. 

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Dennis Robinson has served on more than 75 North American Disaster Relief deployments with Samaritan’s Purse in his 75 years, but all of those have taken place in the past 18 years of his life after many years of being lost. Hear his story of brokenness, redemption, and God’s unfailing love even in the darkest parts of life. 

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After a major winter storm wreaked havoc across the Southeast, hundreds of thousands were left without power and with extensive damage to their homes. From just days after the storm to even now as the ice thaws, our North American Disaster Relief teams have been on the ground helping homeowners in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee. Hear from those serving and those being helped about what it has been like to see God’s love amid the crisis. And you don’t want to miss an incredible story from a pastor, who saw the Lord at work through a divine appo...

Come with Kristy Graham to the picturesque hills of Kenya, where Kijabe Hospital is located. As one of Samaritan’s Purse World Medical Mission partner hospitals, Kijabe remains faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Hear from Edward Densham—who grew up at Kijabe and has witnessed its growth over the years—as he talks about how God created in him a heart for service and mission work on those very grounds.

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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.  

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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