Episodes
Kristy Graham sits down with Cindy Rutz, the Vice President of Human Resources, to hear about the God-centered heart behind Samaritan’s Purse: its employees. Cindy shares how God faithfully drew her to the ministry—sharing key differences and similarities between working in a Christian and secular workplace.
Published 08/26/21
In the winter of 2019, Samaritan’s Purse invited Christian apologist and homicide detective J. Warner Wallace to speak at devotions. His message is still relevant and applicable today as he shares his testimony—bolstering listeners to share, demonstrate, and defend their faith.
Published 08/12/21
What does obedient faith look like in your life? For Justin and Cassandra Daggett, serving in the Post-Residency Program with Samaritan’s Purse World Medical Mission, it looked like doing medical missions overseas in Kenya—just two years after accepting Christ. In an encouraging conversation from Kijabe, Kenya, the Daggetts speak by Zoom with Kristy Graham. They discuss their testimony, God’s prompting to apply to the program, and their family life in Kijabe.
Published 07/28/21
"The Lord's got our back. Being in Colombia was a specific call and desire of our heart, so then it was like an adventure. You get excited to wake up every day and say, 'Lord, I need you,'" said Eric Huxley, the country director for our international field office in Colombia. He and his wife, Dejah, recently sat down with Kristy Graham while visiting the Samaritan's Purse International Headquarters in Boone, North Carolina. The Huxleys shared about their experience navigating the throes of...
Published 07/14/21
“The same God who changed their lives in Alaska is the same God that’s going to help them through whatever mountains they're climbing at home,” shares Greg Duvall, the chaplain manager for Operation Heal Our Patriots (OHOP). Greg and his wife Shawna sit down with Kristy after their recent trip to Port Alsworth, Alaska, where they shared God’s love with wounded veterans and their spouses. The Duvalls dive deeper into how God has blessed 10 years of the OHOP ministry, ways they’ve grown in...
Published 07/07/21
“We think of the millions, but in the Lord’s eyes, it’s one heart, one soul, and one child,” says Jim Harrelson, the Vice President of Operation Christmas Child. He and Kristy Graham talk about how God has raised His people to come together and serve in His Name through the ministry. After nearly 28 years of seeing God’s heart through delivering gift-filled shoeboxes, they discuss how Operation Christmas Child has grown while maintaining the same mission of sharing God’s love with children in...
Published 06/23/21
For over 40 years, Dr. Richard Bransford and his wife Millie have served faithfully in the mission field. As long-time partners with Samaritan’s Purse, they’ve been involved for decades with World Medical Mission at Kijabe hospital and helped support the very first Disaster Assistance Response Teams. Their conversation with Kristy covers stories from the field, lessons through years of marriage, and wisdom to trust God where He leads.
Published 06/09/21
This Memorial Day, we’re honoring the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom by sharing a few names that represent many. Kristy shares hope-filled scripture and encourages listeners to pray for each Gold Star family by name. Join Melissa Strickland, a member of the podcast team and Senior Director of Communications, in prayer for families and friends who have lost a loved one in combat.
Published 05/29/21
“For mothers everywhere, I pray that they would know that God is with them, God is good, His plans for them are good, and He is with them,” Bethany Gilley shared with Kristy in this special Mother’s Day episode. Bethany lives in Honduras with her husband Nathan, who is serving with Samaritan’s Purse in the World Medical Mission Post-Residency Program. She and Kristy discuss how she’s learning to engage with the Lord, support her working husband, and cultivate a Godly environment for her four...
Published 05/07/21
In the coming months, Daniel and Jessica Ruiz are moving their family to Liberia to continue to serve with Samaritan’s Purse. Kristy has the opportunity to hear their story as they share how God has equipped and prepared them for this new role. Listen as the Ruizes recount God’s goodness after serving in multiple capacities over seven years in ministry.
Published 04/28/21
“His heart was for us before there was ever a human being on the planet,” said Greg Duvall. Greg serves as the educational and discipleship manager for Operational Heal Our Patriots. He shares a thoughtful message in staff devotions about Paul’s letter to the Ephesians—reminding us that we should embrace the spiritual blessings we have in Christ.
Published 04/14/21
“Even when things around seem so broken and feel so hopeless, there is a hope we can cling on to, and Easter is the reminder of that hope,” shares Mark Bennett, the country director in South Sudan. This Good Friday, we are reminded of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. Join Kristy as she talks with the Samaritan’s Purse team in South Sudan about how they traditionally celebrate the coming of Easter.
Published 04/02/21
“Despite all the difficulties, the challenges, and the terrorism that's very real all around us, it's a season we're reminded to pick our eyes up and look to Jesus,” says Matthew Nowery, the country director in Iraq. In this special Easter episode, Kristy calls the Samaritan’s Purse team in Iraq to hear about how they focus on the cross amidst the turmoil in their country. Their conversation dives deeper into the ways they celebrate Easter through days of shared worship, feasts, prayer, and...
Published 03/31/21
“I’ve seen people’s lives changed because of clean water,” Ken Issacs, the vice president for programs and government relations, told Kristy in today’s episode. World Water Day, recognized on March 22, sheds light on the nearly 2.2 billion people without access to safe water. In this engaging episode surrounding water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), Ken shares about the devastating impact that lack of clean water has on a community, his background in well-drilling, and initiatives...
Published 03/17/21
It’s the final episode of our Valentine’s Day series! Kristy sits down with newlyweds Dave and Erin Holzhauer as they talk about balancing marriage and work. Dave is the Director of International Response while Erin serves as a Clinical Operations Specialist. Their conversation covers seeking God in singleness, laying down expectations, and advice for traveling spouses.
Published 02/27/21
For the second episode of our Valentine’s Day series, Kristy invites David and Beth Thompson to talk about working in the ministry while being married and raising three kids. David serves as the Senior Director for Operation Christmas Child International, while Beth serves as the Medical Program Specialist for cleft lip and palate programming. Their conversation is filled with honesty, humor, and insight for all stages of life.
Published 02/19/21
In honor of Valentine’s Day, Kristy sits down with couples across the ministry to hear how God is continually directing their marriages. First up in our series is Luther and Michelle Harrison, who have been married for over 20 years. Luther is the Vice President for North American Ministries and Michelle serves as the Administrative & Special Projects Manager for Communications. We know you’ll enjoy their wisdom, stories, and laughter as they reminisce on their commitment to God and one...
Published 02/15/21
Steve Nickel, the Vice President for Donor Ministries, began serving at Samaritan’s Purse only four months before the September 11 attacks. Since then, he has witnessed God’s overflowing abundance through the ministry’s faithful donors. Kristy and Steve’s conversation is full of Scripture, encouragement, and wisdom to lean on Christ through difficult seasons.
Published 02/03/21
As we begin a new year, Kristy shares verses from the Bible she’s been reflecting on to find refuge in God’s strength. Listen as she shares Biblical truths from Scripture.
Published 01/20/21
As we step into the new year, Kristy sits down with Erin Gallagher to talk about what it’s like to lean on God after being stripped of earthly possessions. In November 2018, she and her family lost everything in the Camp Fire—California’s most destructive wildfire. Tune in to hear how God renewed her faith, how the community is being restored, and how their church is giving back.
Published 01/06/21
Are you struggling to find hope this Christmas season? Jodie Tosh, who has worked in seven global offices with Samaritan’s Purse, talks with Kristy about putting her trust in God through difficult seasons, including COVID-19. She shares Biblical wisdom in how to keep Jesus as our focus and gives practical advice on creating joy through Christmas traditions.
Published 12/09/20
Kristy shares one of her family’s Thanksgiving traditions—using Scrabble pieces to encourage you to think of what you are grateful for. Enjoy hearing what the staff of Samaritan’s Purse is thankful for this year. Happy Thanksgiving!
Published 11/25/20
At our Samaritan’s Purse Blowing Rock Training Center, Kristy Graham sits down with Luis Anda, a regional chaplain with Operation Heal Our Patriots. She and Lou talk about what he learned after serving in two different military branches, how he overcomes challenges with God’s help, and Biblical truths to lean on in times of adversity.
Published 11/11/20
Our Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) helps make Samaritan’s Purse medical ministries possible. Kristy Graham speaks with Kelly Sites, a nurse on our DART, to hear how she has deployed to over 17 disaster zones in a decade of serving with Samaritan’s Purse. She shares with Kristy how she became involved with the ministry, how her faith has been challenged, and how she continues to pour into her family while being able to deploy for weeks at a time.
Published 10/28/20
The Samaritan’s Purse family lost a dear sister in Christ and friend in Lina Freyler. In remembrance, Kristy replays thoughts from Susan Wilcox from a previous Invited In episode and shares a past devotion from John Freyler about abiding in Christ by running the race set before us.
Published 10/14/20