Invited In

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Kristy calls Tom O’Brien, a regional program manager for U.S. Disaster Relief, while he’s at an active worksite in Santa Cruz, CA. Tom spent most of his career serving with the California fire department. Now he is working on the other side of the wildfires, leading volunteer teams to serve homeowners who lost everything in the flames. Tom tells the stories of how God is working daily through volunteers while giving his perspective into the major wildfires blazing the west coast.

In the midst of responding to Hurricane Laura, Chandler Saylors, an assistant program manager for U.S. Disaster Relief, talks with Kristy over the phone. Kristy asks Chandler about God’s calling on her life, then dives deeper into how Samaritan’s Purse is responding in Louisiana.

“Though there are so many unknowns, we have hope in an all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present God who will ground us,” said Cathy Njoya. Cathy serves as the director of strategic partnerships with donor ministries. She shares a powerful message in staff devotions about Elisha’s faith in 2 Kings 6—reminding us that if we put our hope in God, He will sustain us.

Are you in search of God’s Truth through current tensions brought by COVID-19? Kristy Graham sits down with Rachael Mills, the director of brand development for Operation Christmas Child, to talk about God’s provision for parents during this season. Their Scripture-filled conversation dives deep into finding peace amidst turmoil, seeking Holy wisdom, and recognizing our need for the Father in every moment.

Have you ever wondered what it takes for Samaritan’s Purse to launch a new affiliate office? Hear from Chris Weeks, Samaritan’s Purse employee of over 20 years, who is now the Executive Director for Samaritan’s Purse South Korea. Kristy Graham asks him about the logistics of launching the new location, moving forward in the midst of the coronavirus, and God’s faithfulness to open doors for the team.

What’s it like to grow up as a “ministry kid”? Tune in to this week’s episode featuring Elliott Willis, an assistant program manager for US disaster relief and son of Bryan Willis. Kristy and Elliott dive deeper into God’s calling on his life, service in US disaster relief, and growing up in the ministry.

Kristy Graham sits down with Bryan Willis, the Vice President of Special Events to hear his insight after serving nearly 38 years. They talk about the early days at Samaritan’s Purse, how the ministry has grown, and God’s hand of blessing over each department.

“Ron shares how God called him out of a long career of corporate work to do kingdom work here at Samaritan’s Purse,” Kristy says in this uplifting episode. After a few months of COVID-19 related podcasts, Kristy is getting back to the heart of Invited In: sharing God’s faithfulness through the testimonies of staff at Samaritan’s Purse. Listen as Ron Wilcox, chief operating officer, recounts the lessons he has learned after serving nearly 17 years in the ministry.

Only a few months ago, doctors and nurses treated the sickest coronavirus patients in our Emergency Field Hospitals in Cremona, Italy, and New York City. While they were serving on the ground, hundreds of staff at Samaritan’s Purse mobilized to make the simultaneous responses possible. Tune in as Kristy Graham hears from Cindy Albertson representing the IMT Call Center, David Khoury representing International Apprentices, Debra Owens representing IMT Staffing, and Rachel Ransom representing Food Services. Nearly every employee in the ministry had a hand in supporting the response—they are the unsung heroes of COVID-19.

Impact doesn’t equal recognition. “Whether you are going or sending, you are doing kingdom work and our Father sees you,” Kristy Graham encourages listeners in this hope-filled episode. During Samaritan’s Purse staff devotions, church relations coordinator Jeremy Zerkle gives a powerful message from Acts 11—referring to God as El Roi, “the God who sees me.”

“It’s so important to hear their story, speak their name, and honor their legacy,” Kristy Graham reminds listeners in this special Memorial Day episode. Tune in to hear her conversation with Melissa Strickland, the senior director of communications, who walks through the loss of her 22-year-old nephew, Corporal Dillion C. Baldridge. Dillion was killed June 10, 2017, while serving in Afghanistan on his first deployment. Listen as Melissa and Kristy talk about his continued legacy, the importance of spiritual community, and prayers for Gold Star families.

Happy Mother’s Day, Invited In family. Today, Kristy Graham introduces you to a dynamic mother-daughter team: Sara and Heidi Shannon. Sara Shannon is working as a chaplain in member care at our Emergency Field Hospital in Cremona, Italy. Simultaneously, her daughter Heidi Shannon is serving as a nurse at our Emergency Field Hospital in New York City. In this empowering episode, you’ll hear updates from the Samaritan’s Purse field hospitals, advice for raising children, and stories of God’s goodness through family.