Advertise on podcast: On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse

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.  Resources: Learn more about our Community Medical Outreach clinics.Listen to “The Great Commission is for Everyone,” where you will hear stories of how God has used people with a variety of skill sets and backgrounds to serve others through disaster response.

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. Resources:  Learn more about the Disaster Assistance Response Team and how you can get involved. To hear more about our DART response in Italy during the pandemic, listen to “Through the Eyes of DART Nurses: COVID-19.”Listen to “Ukrainian Pastor Shares from the Frontlines” to hear stories of God’s faithfulness and how the Lord has continued to work in the hearts and minds of people during four years of conflict in Ukraine. 

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.  Resources: Come out and serve on our Hurricane Helene rebuilds! Listen to “Ukrainian Pastor Shares from the Frontlines” to hear how the Lord is working in the hearts and minds of those suffering during the war.

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.  Resources: Read more stories about our response in Ukraine.  Listen to “Called Out of Our Comfort Zone: A Conversation with Edward Graham” to hear how you can step out in faith and obedience to the Lord, in whatever He has for you.

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.  Resources: Learn more about how you can get involved with Samaritan’s Purse domestically and internationally.Listen to “Suffering for Christ’s Sake” to hear stories of pastors who experienced intense persecution and how their faith sustained them.

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.  Resources:  Learn more about the Church Reconstruction Program in South Sudan.To hear more about Ryan’s time in Sudan, listen to Serving in Uncertainty: The War in Sudan.Listen to “Plane Hijacked in Africa: The Pilot’s Story Part 1 and 2” to hear the inspirational story of one of our ministry pilots who chose to fully entrust his life to Jesus even while his plane was being hijacked.

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.  Resources: Listen to Part 1 of this story now! 

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.  Resources: Listen to “From Brokenness to Redemption: Never Too Far from God’s Love” to hear a longtime Samaritan’s Purse volunteer, Dennis Robinson’s, powerful testimony.Hear Part 2 of this story now!

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.  Resources:  Learn more about current opportunities to serve with North American Disaster Relief Listen to “God Goes Before Us” to hear how our North American Disaster Relief teams are seeing God’s love in the aftermath of a winter storm. 

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 appointment.  Resources: Sign up now to volunteer with North American Disaster Relief! Hear a new perspective on the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 by listening to “Led by Compassion: Kijabe Hospital.” 

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. Resources: Learn more about World Medical Mission.Listen to “Why Should We Hurt When Others Are Hurting?” to hear from Jeremy Zerkle, a staff chaplain with Samaritan’s Purse. 

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.  Resources: Listen to our episode with Jeremy’s wife about her work as a licensed counselor and how she addresses compassion fatigue, burnout, and suffering in the world through her profession and as a follower of Christ.Listen to “A Journey Up the Amazon River” to hear the incredible story of bringing Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to an isolated ethnic group in Peru. 

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.  Resources: Learn more about Operation Christmas Child and how you can get involved.Watch how the Gospel changed an isolated Amazon village forever.Listen to “Trusting God: A Conversation with Ken Isaacs” to hear how God has enabled Ken to run into the fire throughout his life. 

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. Resources: Ken Isacc’s new book, Running to the Fire is available for purchase here. You can also find it on Audible.Learn more about the Disaster Assistance Response Team.Listen to “Beyond the Church Walls: Serving in Your Community” to be challenged in your service for Christ.

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.   Resources: Learn more about becoming a Lighthouse Church to serve as a home base during a disaster response in your community or even maintaining a Disaster Response Vehicle (DRV) at your church.Find a local Operation Christmas Child event in your community to get involved in!Listen to “Near to the Brokenhearted” to hear a testimony from Operation Christmas Child on how the Lord’s power is made perfect in our weakness.