If you have watched the news over the past few months, then you have seen much devastation. Every time you turn on the tube, there is new man-made or natural disaster, including the recent tornado destruction in Oklahoma. Is there any relief to be found? There is just so much, so what can be done?
Relief organization Samaritan’s Purse has answered the call for help and has responded to the devastating tornadoes in the Oklahoma City area. Samaritan’s Purse staff and volunteers are helping tornado victims in Shawnee and Moore, Oklahoma, bringing hope to people reeling from a succession of storms. The towns were battered by vicious twisters on May 19, 20, and 31. Add heavy rains, hail and flooding and we have a land desolated with at least 16 deaths and more than 100 injuries. Samaritan’s Purse will continue to be in the area for weeks to come, bringing relief efforts.
Who
The organization’s annual Operation Christmas Child initiative is famous for how it has provided more than 100 million boys and girls in over 130 countries with loving shoebox gifts since 1993.
Samaritan’s Purse is a nonprofit, nondenominational, evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Their purpose is to share God’s love through his son, Jesus Christ.
Bob Pierce founded Samaritan’s Purse in 1970, and he famously wrote these words in his Bible after visiting suffering children in Korea: “Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God.” Pierce would meet and mentor many faithful believers in the years to come, including Franklin Graham, who is now the President and Chairman of the Board of Samaritan’s Purse. Graham took over after Pierce passed away from leukemia in 1978.
What
Samaritan’s Purse derives its name from the parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:30-37. God has given us a clear picture of his desire for us to love our neighbor, help the hurting, and reach out to the lost. For over 40 years now, Samaritan’s Purse has been a neighbor to the poor, sick and suffering around the world. The organization specializes in disaster relief—often being the first responders to war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine—but is through and through a holistic ministry focused on bringing the good news of Jesus Christ into all the world. They seek not only to mend broken bodies and homes but also broken hearts and spirits.
Why
When teams work in crisis areas, people often ask, “Why did you come?” The answer is always the same: “We have come to help you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!” Their mission statement summarizes that they are devoted followers of Jesus and are committed to serving the Church worldwide to promote the gospel (samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/about-us).
On behalf of his team, Graham expresses, “No matter where we go or what we do, we offer more than help. We offer hope. To suffering people in a broken world, we share the news of the only one who can bring true peace—Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.”
For more information on Samaritan’s Purse and how you can give or volunteer, please visit samaritanspurse.org.
Finley can be reached at: [email protected].
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