On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse

Latest Episodes:

Drawing Near to God: Comfort After the Storm Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

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.

How Honeybees and Baby Chicks Change Lives Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

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.

Resources:

Browse through the Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Catalog.
Read more about how honeybees are making an eternal impact.
Learn about the ways baby chicks are blessing families around the world.
Listen to “Amid the Storm, God Answers Prayers: Hurricane Melissa,” where you will hear how Samaritan’s Purse is responding in Jamaica.

Amid the Storm, God Answers Prayers: Hurricane Melissa Nov 28, 2025

Show notes

On October 28, Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without shelter, clean water, or medical care. Many areas across the island were completely cutoff and inaccessible. Kristy talks with two of our Disaster Assistance Response Team members, Dave Holzhauer and Bev Kauffeldt, about the numerous ways that Samaritan’s Purse is helping on the island. They share how they are witnessing the Lord answer prayers during this response.

The Gift of the Gospel: A Conversation with Cissie Graham Lynch Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

Kristy Graham sits down with her sister-in-law, Cissie Graham Lynch, to talk about the gift of the Gospel and how you can play a role in sharing the Gospel around the world this holiday season. For many years, Cissie and Kristy have had the privilege of witnessing the Lord work in and through Samaritan’s Purse, and they share stories about how God has changed hearts and blessed communities, all because of the hope of the Gospel.

God’s Faithfulness in the Waiting Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

Last year, the Bowens family lost everything in Hurricane Helene. This trial produced faith and endurance in them—though they lost every earthly possession, they lacked nothing because they had the Lord. Over the next several months, the Bowens continually leaned on the promises of God as they waited for their new home to be completed. Join Kristy Graham as she catches up with the Bowens family and attends their home dedication ceremony. You will hear how God has worked in their hearts, bringing them closer together and closer to Him.

Resources:

Hear the Bowens family’s story.
Learn more about Samaritan’s Purse rebuild in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee after Hurricane Helene.
Listen to “Live Worthy: A Conversation with General Cody,” where a retired four-star general encourages listeners to never stop serving, no matter what stage of life you are in.

Live Worthy: A Conversation with General Cody Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

This Veteran's Day, we honor our service men and women who have given so much to our nation for our freedom. General Dick Cody, a retired four-star general who served our country for decades as an army aviator, joins Kristy for a conversation about his military service and his role now in leading and teaching the next generation. General Cody’s service has never stopped, even after retirement, reminding us that no matter what stage of life we are in, God can use us for His glory.

Resources:

Watch this video about Samaritan’s Purse air missions in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Listen to “The True Bread of Life,” where you will hear stories about Samaritan's Purse work in getting food to those who need it most.

The True Bread of Life Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

In the last three years alone, the Lord has equipped Samaritan’s Purse to distribute 750 million pounds of food to hungry families around the world. Every single meal we freely give is an opportunity for people to hear about the true bread of life and our eternal hope: Jesus Christ. Dave Phillips, a deputy director for international projects, sat down with Kristy to share stories about Samaritan's Purse work in getting food to those who need it most.

Resources:

Check out Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Catalog, where you can help feed a hungry baby for only $9.
Hear more from Dave Philips about how God enables Samaritan’s Purse to provide food to starving people in Sudan.
Listen to “Evangelism Outside the Walls of the Church” to hear from Pastor Rusty Guenther, who leads a church in North Carolina, about how he sees Operation Christmas Child not only bless children around the world, but also his own congregation and community.

Evangelism Outside the Walls of the Church Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

Operation Christmas Child sends millions of shoebox gifts around the world each year, reaching children in need with the hope of the Gospel. But this ministry is also an incredible evangelism opportunity even before the shoeboxes arrive overseas. Kristy speaks with Pastor Rusty Guenther, who leads First Baptist Church of Blowing Rock in North Carolina, about how he has seen Operation Christmas Child bless his congregation and community as a whole. In getting outside the walls of the church by hosting packing parties, Pastor Rusty has seen lives transformed.

Resources:

Learn how to pack an Operation Christmas Child shoebox.
Get tips for planning your very own packing party!
Listen to “Our Strength Comes from the Lord” to hear how the Lord has kept Becky Chinchen, the founder and executive director of Amani ya Juu in Kenya, grounded over the years as she leaned on Him for guidance.

Our Strength Comes from the Lord Oct 17, 2025

Show notes

While Kristy was on the ground in Kenya, she sat down with Becky Chinchen, the founder and executive director of Amani ya Juu. Becky shares what it was like to flee Liberia during civil war and how she was able to turn that painful experience into purpose in creating Amani. Hear how the Lord kept Becky grounded over the years as she leaned on Him for guidance.

Resources:

Learn more about Amani ya Juu.
Hear how Amani ya Juu shepherds women through the stages of brokenness, transformation, and celebration.
Listen to “Every Tribe and Tongue: Translating Testimonies” to hear from Elise, a translator whose work with Operation Christmas Child in Cambodia has helped change lives in her country.

Every Tribe and Tongue: Translating Testimonies Oct 10, 2025

Show notes

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: