On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse

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 From the Field: Planting Seeds After Disaster” to hear stories of divine appointments from recent U.S. Disaster Relief responses.

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, ministering to those hurting.

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 teams serving after devastating earthquakes in Venezuela and Colombia.

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. Resources: Learn more about our response in Colombia . Listen to “A Day of Disaster Response with Kristy: Venezuela Earthquake,” where Kristy takes you on the ground to Venezuela. In “Missionary Doctor Healed From Ebola,” you will hear from Dr. Peter Stafford and his wife, Dr. Rebekah Stafford, about trusting God in times of uncertainty.

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. Resources: Learn more about our Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Listen to “Bringing Hope In: DRC Ebola Response,” where you will hear what it was like for Kristy to don and doff personal protective equipment alongside staff ready to serve at one of two Samaritan’s Purse Ebola Treatment Centers.

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. Resources: Volunteer with us ! Listen to “Called for Such a Time as This: A Conversation with Stick Williams,” to hear how the Lord has directed Stick’s path.

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 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. Resources: Hear “A Day of Disaster Response with Kristy: Venezuela Earthquake” to learn how God is softening hearts and transforming lives. In “Venezuela Earthquake Response: Hope Does Not Disappoint,” you will hear from our staff who were serving on the ground just days after the deadly earthquakes. Listen to “Bringing Hope In: DRC Ebola Response,” where you will hear what it was like for Kristy to don and doff personal protective equipment alongside staff ready to serve at one of two Samaritan’s Purse Ebola Treatment Centers.

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 in Venezuela. In “Venezuela Earthquake Response: Hope Does Not Disappoint,” you will hear from our staff who were serving on the ground just days after the deadly earthquakes.

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 . Listen to “How to Be a Servant Leader,” where you will hear more about the Samaritan’s Purse Leadership Development Pathway that Deepali participates in. In “Venezuela Earthquake Response: Hope Does Not Disappoint,” you will hear from our staff who are serving on the ground after the deadly earthquakes.

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. Resources: Learn more about the Samaritan’s Purse earthquake response in Venezuela. Join our Disaster Assistance Response Team . Listen to “No Escaping God’s Grace,” to hear how God transformed Jake’s heart through Operation Heal Our Patriots.

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 week of Operation Heal Our Patriots.

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. Resources: Learn more about World Medical Mission and how you can volunteer! Listen to “Bringing Hope In: DRC Ebola Response,” where you will hear what it was like for Kristy to don and doff personal protective equipment alongside staff ready to serve at one of two Samaritan’s Purse Ebola Treatment Centers.

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. Resources: Learn more about the DRC Ebola Response. Serve with our Disaster Assistance Response Team . Listen to our episodes about the 2014 Ebola Response in Liberia. Remembering the Liberia Ebola Response: 10 Years Later Bearing Each Other's Burdens: Liberia Ebola Response Part 2

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 Mission Field is Everywhere” to hear from Josh McCart, a former Army paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, about how there is service even after military service.

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 around the world. Listen to “More Than a Church Building,” where you will hear how pastors in Sudan and South Sudan are boldly proclaiming the Gospel amid conflict and persecution.

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 more about the Church Reconstruction Program in South Sudan . Listen to “Suffering for Christ’s Sake” to hear our recent episode on the Church Reconstruction Program in Sudan and South Sudan. Listen to “Our Mission Field is Everywhere” to hear the inspiring story of an Army veteran who attended Operation Heal Our Patriots with his wife. It changed their lives and marriage.

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. Resources: Learn more about Operation Heal Our Patriots and Team Patriot . Listen to “How to Respond with Compassion” to hear a devotional from Edward Densham and Kristy Graham.

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. Resources: Listen to “Led By Compassion: Kijabe Hospital” and hear about Edward Densham’s upbringing in the mission field. Hear about the incredible projects out of our Germany office , like Alabaster Jar and Men Against Human Trafficking.

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: Hear Marina’s testimony ! Listen to “Fighting Spiritual Battles: Human Trafficking in Berlin,” to hear more about Alabaster Jar and how God is transforming hearts amid spiritual darkness.