Edward Graham
Chief Operating Officer, Samaritan's Purse
As Chief Operating Officer, Edward Graham oversees the international and domestic operations of Samaritan’s Purse. He frequently travels to disaster areas to coordinate operations and encourage families impacted by catastrophic events. He also meets with key government officials and church leaders in affected areas to establish relationships and to coordinate other essential support as staff and volunteers work to meet critical needs on the ground.
Graham has overseen the Samaritan’s Purse responses to several major world crises, such as the war in Ukraine, the 2023 earthquake in Turkey, the Israel-Hamas War, and Hurricane Helene. He represented the ministry by traveling to Ukraine with former Vice President Mike Pence and with former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. While visiting the war-torn country, Graham met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on multiple occasions to brief him on the organization’s work to provide medical care, food, and other life-saving aid to his citizens, including those living in the red zones of the conflict.
He is often found with our first teams on the ground in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters in the United States, such as the 2021 tornado that ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, and the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene across the Southeast. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Graham led the operations for what officials called the largest civilian airlift to bring life-saving aid to isolated families in western North Carolina. Under his leadership, Samaritan’s Purse staff and volunteers have helped thousands of families begin the process of rebuilding their lives.
Graham has responsibility for ensuring that the day-to-day operations of the ministry’s locations in the U.S. and around the world reflect the highest standards of Biblical integrity, a commitment to excellence in our work, and above all, a dedication to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
He is the youngest son of Franklin and Jane Graham, and the grandson of Billy Graham. He graduated from the United States Military Academy and went on to serve 16 years in the U.S. Army. After multiple combat deployments within Special Operations and serving in various leadership positions, he felt called by the Lord to return home and serve in the ministry in the winter of 2018.
He and his wife, Kristy, have been married for 20 years, and have one daughter and three sons. They are raising their family in the mountains of North Carolina.
Born
September 11, 1979
Parents
- Franklin and Jane Austin Cunningham Graham
Married
Kristen Webb Graham, 2004
Children
- Hannah
- Liam
- Hunter
- Levi
Education
- United States Military Academy at West Point, 2003
- Command and General Staff College
Board of Directors:
- Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (Canada)
- Blue Ridge Broadcasting
- Montreat College
- Samaritan's Purse
- Samaritan's Purse Australasia-Operation Christmas Child, Ltd.
- Samaritan's Purse International, Ltd.
- The Samaritan's Purse (Canada)
- Wilkes County Airport Board
