On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse
Samaritan's Purse<p>On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse is a podcast with Kristy Graham that explores the work we’re doing around the world. Experience what it’s like to be in the field with our teams, and hear first-hand from staff, volunteers, and people
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Older episodes
- 73For Such a Time as This: UkraineSamaritan’s Purse teams—prepared and mobilized by God—are continuing to bring physical and spiritual help in Ukraine. Hear updates and stories directly from staff, patients, and leadership that are on the ground in the midst of the conflict. Resources – Apply now to serve on the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) in response to the crisis … Continue reading "For Such a Time as This: Ukraine"
- 74Hope in Heartache: EasterAs we prepare to celebrate Easter, we know that Jesus is our ultimate hope. Hear stories of God’s faithfulness in the midst of heartache from a local pastor serving in tornado-weary Kentucky, a Ukrainian chaplain whose friends were killed in the conflict, and a pharmacist that God is using in Ukraine to share the Gospel. … Continue reading "Hope in Heartache: Easter"
- 75Tangible Love: Serving Patients in UkraineKristy Graham introduces you to patients who Samaritan’s Purse is serving at medical clinics across Ukraine. Hear first-hand from refugees who are fleeing for their lives and the disaster response specialists who are serving them in Jesus’ Name. Resources – Apply Now to serve on the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) in response to the … Continue reading "Tangible Love: Serving Patients in Ukraine"
- 76Memorial Day: Reflection and PrideKristy Graham interviews Lt. Gen. (Ret.) William G. Boykin to reflect on the importance of the sacrifice and honor of the men and women who paid the ultimate price in service to our country. Resources – Listen to the 2021 Memorial Day episode to reflect and remember the names of service members who died defending … Continue reading "Memorial Day: Reflection and Pride"
- 77Meet the Staff: Luther HarrisonLuther Harrison, vice president of North American Ministries, remembers the first year of disaster relief with Samaritan’s Purse when just 50 volunteers deployed. Now, thousands serve across the country each year. Kristy and Luther reflect on God’s faithfulness over the years. Resources – Volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse – Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content. … Continue reading "Meet the Staff: Luther Harrison"
- 78Listen Again: Operation Heal Our Patriots (2019)This episode originally aired in 2019 after Kristy Graham returned from Operation Heal Our Patriots in Alaska. This week-long marriage retreat brings spiritual refreshment, physical renewal, and marriage enrichment to military veterans and their spouses. As we celebrate our freedom as Americans, we want to introduce you to military veterans and their spouses who have selflessly served our country. LINKSLearn more about Operation Heal Our Patriots https://www.samaritanspurse.org/education-2/operation-heal-our-patriots/ Meet Sean and Brandy Karpf, a couple whose marriage was saved this summerhttps://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/god-answers-prayers-to-save-a-military-couples-marriage/ Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content. https://www.instagram.com/onthegroundsp/?hl=en SHOW NOTESOperation Heal Our Patriots is a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse that is especially close to Kristy Graham’s heart. Her husband, Edward, served 16 years in the U.S. Army so she knows military life firsthand. In this episode, Kristy takes listeners back to one of her favorite episodes, which was recorded while she was at Samaritan Lodge Alaska in 2019. At Operation Heal Our Patriots, couples have the opportunity to get away from the normal pressures of life, reconnect, explore the Alaskan wilderness, and participate in Biblically-based marriage enrichment classes. This ministry of Samaritan’s Purse was developed to strengthen marriages.Samaritan’s Purse gives thanks to God that through this program we have welcomed more than 1,400 military couples to Alaska since 2012, and hundreds of participants have accepted Christ as their Savior while in Alaska. In the first four weeks of the 2022 season, 25 individuals made decisions to follow Jesus, 21 were baptized in Lake Clark, and 23 couples chose to rededicate their marriages to God and each other.Kristy Graham shares the life-changing story of Tony and Amy Payne, one of the many couples impacted by Operation Heal Our Patriots. The Paynes met in a tattoo shop. Shortly after they got married, Tony felt led to join the military. Tony was critically injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) during one of his deployments. When he returned home, his marriage hit an all-time low. Out of desperation, Tony turned to God’s Word and accepted Jesus as his personal Savior. Tony followed faithfully after Jesus and prayed regularly for Amy to experience God’s love in the same way. It wasn’t until they came to Alaska that Amy understood what it meant to follow Jesus. Tony’s prayers were answered when Amy committed her life to God. At the end of the week at Samaritan Lodge Alaska, she was baptized in the icy waters of Lake Clark.Another couple whose marriage was restored was JP and Crystal Lane. JP joined the army when he was 22 and was deployed to Afghanistan. In 2011, he was wounded by an IED. He sustained 26 injuries and went through 28 surgeries. JP and Crystal knew that it was a miracle from God that he survived. They spent their time and energy sharing JP’s testimony with others, but at the end of the day they had little left for one another.“I enjoy one hundred percent inspiring people with the testimony that God has given us and what I’ve been through,” JP said. “But we would be so drained so much that when we were home we didn’t care about inspiring each other and it was breaking us apart.”It wasn’t until JP and Crystal came to Alaska that they truly refocused their marriage on one another and centered their lives around Christ. Operation Heal Our Patriots gave them space fo
- 79Ministry Update: A Conversation w/ Edward GrahamKristy Graham sits down with her husband, Edward Graham, to hear a ministry update about the work of Samaritan’s Purse around the world. Edward shares the latest on four major projects, which have seen growth and change in the first six months of the year— Ukraine, U.S Disaster Relief, Operation Christmas Child, and Children’s Heart Project.
- 80Unsung Heroes: Food Distributions in the Red Zone of UkraineThe world is witnessing the aftermath of months-long conflict in Ukraine, but getting aid to those most affected by the violence continues to be complex and unpredictable. Kristy Graham takes you closer to the conflict than ever before as church partners deliver food and life-saving supplies into the red zone.
- 81Finding God in the FloorboardsAs a little girl living in communist Romania, Izabella McMillon received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift. Host Kristy Graham sits down with Izabella to hear about the life-changing impact of a simple gift.
- 82Rebuilding After the Storm: Mayfield, KentuckySamaritan’s Purse is rebuilding homes and helping families recover in Mayfield, Kentucky after the deadly tornado outbreak that hit in December 2021. Meet homeowners who lost everything and be encouraged by their hope and resilience. LINKS:Volunteer with Samaritan’s PurseListen to “The Headlines: Devastating Tornado Outbreak” to hear what Mayfield, Kentucky, was like immediately after the stormFollow us on Instagram to see behind the scenesAre you interested in finding the Good News of Salvation? Visit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website.
- 83Called and Commissioned: Sending Missionary DoctorsIn the most remote areas of the world, communities are suffering without access to basic healthcare services. Missionary doctors have a unique global opportunity to bring physical and spiritual aid. Hear from doctors in World Medical Mission’s Post-Residency Program to understand what motivates them to work in underserved areas! Learn more about World Medical Mission Explore the Post-Residency Program Visit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website
- 84Legacy of Faithfulness: North American MinistriesKristy Graham sits with Luther Harrison, vice president of North American Ministries, to talk about how he got started at Samaritan’s Purse, our U.S. Disaster Relief efforts, and ways to pray for the ministry. Hear from disaster survivors in Mayfield, Kentucky Volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse U.S. Disaster Relief Join our Community on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes content Visit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website
- 85Rushing Aid to Puerto RicoHurricane Fiona recently hit Puerto Rico, leaving nearly 3 million people without water or electricity. Host Kristy Graham speaks with Samaritan’s Purse staff members and correspondents on the ground to learn what it looks like to respond to this natural disaster. Read about our response in Puerto Rico Watch our teams bringing tarps and water filtration systems to families in need Join our community on Instagram Visit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website
- 86Hurricane Ian: Bringing Hope to FloridaWe’re taking you through the first few days of the response to Hurricane Ian. The death toll continues to rise as more needs are uncovered and news outlets report on the storm. What often isn’t shared are the stories of hope amid tragedy. Join us as we hear from homeowners in Florida, Samaritan’s Purse staff members, and U.S. Disaster Relief volunteers. Read more about our response to Hurricane Ian Listen to our response to Hurricane Fiona in Puerto RicoJoin our community on InstagramVisit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website
- 87Operation Christmas Child: Packing a Gift That LastsEach Christmas, thousands of shoeboxes are sent out to children in some of the most remote regions of the world. In this episode, Kristy Graham hears from Operation Christmas Child staff as they share about how shoebox gifts are sparking a discipleship movement in these hard-to-reach places.Build an Operation Christmas Child shoebox onlineFind a shoebox drop-off location near youRead about The Greatest Journey discipleship programListen to three shoebox recipients share their storiesVisit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website
- 88Listen Again: Answering the CallThe Samaritan’s Purse’s Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) has responded to over 150 disasters around the world since 2008, meeting the physical and spiritual needs of those affected. These specialists have a unique firsthand view of both tragedy and hope. Apply to be a member of the DARTRead more stories of how God is working through Samaritan’s PurseListen to two DART medical professionals share about serving on the frontlines of the COVID-19 responseVisit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website
- 89Hope Restored in Alaska: Operation Heal Our PatriotsService members are impacted by the effects of war years after they return home. Whether they’re suffering from mental or physical trauma, the wounds of the past affect not just them, but also their spouses and family members. Kristy talks with Operation Heal Our Patriots staff members and military spouses to hear about their experiences rebuilding their marriages.Learn more about Operation Heal Our PatriotsListen to a special episode about Operation Heal Our Patriots’ 10-year anniversary Applications for the Operation Heal Our Patriots 2023 season open Feb. 1Visit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website
- 90From Darkness to Light: Cataract Surgeries in South SudanAfter years of living in darkness, hundreds of patients received their eyesight when Samaritan’s Purse conducted a week-long cataract mission in South Sudan. Join Kristy Graham as she introduces you to patients whose lives were changed by this routine surgery. Read more stories of lives changed through cataract surgery Follow us on Instagram to see photos and video of the patients you met in this episode Watch the transformation take place
- 91World Orphans Day: Called to CareMillions of children around the world grow up in unstable homes due to war, death, and poverty. On World Orphans Day, we’re exploring both the complexities of the orphan crisis and the initiatives empowering parents around the globe. Listen to “Honoring Mothers Around the World” Support maternal and child health programs Learn about nutrition programs supporting mothers Visit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website
- 92Franklin Graham and 41 Gifts of HopeKristy Graham talks with Samaritan’s Purse president Franklin Graham about the life-changing impact of the Christmas Catalog. Learn more about some of Franklin Graham’s favorite items in the catalog and hear from country directors living in the field about how these gifts open doors for the Gospel in some of the farthest corners of the world.
- 93Staff Devotions: The God Who SeesIrina Creek, a former orphan living in the Soviet Union, shares her story of finding hope in a closed country through an Operation Christmas Child shoebox. Host Kristy Graham then dives deeper into Genesis 16 and how God sees every detail of our lives. Build an Operation Christmas Child shoebox online Learn about how we’re responding to the crisis in Ukraine Join our community on Instagram Visit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website
- 94Life After COVID-19: Returning to ItalyIn the spring of 2020, Italy was the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic with death tolls reaching the thousands. We’re taking you back to the scene as our Disaster Assistance Response Team returns to Cremona—this time to celebrate God’s faithfulness. Read about the Noi Festival See behind-the-scenes of the 2020 Cremona response Visit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website
- 95Operation Christmas Child: The Fun of Preparing Shoeboxes for Little Hands and HeartsOperation Christmas Child shoeboxes are bringing the Gospel to the farthest corners of the earth. In this episode, we’re giving you a glimpse into what it takes to get these gifts into the hands of children. Build a box online Get involved with serving at a processing center Watch Alex’s story Visit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website
- 96“It Changed My Life”: Celebrating 200 Million Gospel OpportunitiesOperation Christmas Child has been sending gift-filled shoeboxes to children around the world since 1993. Join us as we celebrate a milestone: collecting our 200 millionth shoebox! Elizabeth Groff shares her testimony of how a simple gift changed her life as an orphan in Ukraine, and why she is now excited to be packing the 200 millionth shoebox gift for a child in need. See the 200 Millionth tourBuild an Operation Christmas Child shoebox onlineVisit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website
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