Strengthening Military Marriages

A New Summer of Healing for Military Marriages

OUR SIXTH SEASON: 16 WEEKS, 160 MORE COUPLES. PLEASE PRAY.

Memorial Day weekend marked the start of a new Operation Heal Our Patriots season as we welcomed our first group of military couples to Alaska for a week of Biblically based marriage enrichment. The 2017 summer season began May 28 and ran to September 16.

Through our photo feed below you can see updates that came in throughout the 2017 season.

We invite you to read stories from 2017 of combat-wounded service members and their spouses who have experienced God's healing love for themselves and their marriages.

LATEST STORIES: Salvation, Marriage Renewal are Answered Prayers in Alaska • God Carried this Army Couple Through Cancer and Injury • Marine Couple Leaves Alaska Stronger After Marriage Enrichment Week • Salvation in Christ Changes the Lives of Military Couples

These couples (typically 10 per week) are flown to our wilderness lodge in Alaska where they participate in marriage classes, enjoy daily devotions from God's Word, and are offered confidential Christ-focused counseling with our retired military chaplains. They also have opportunities for physical refreshment by participating together in activities such as kayaking, hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing.

“For real, long-term healing, wounded service members need a sound foundation," says retired Marine Brigadier General Jim Walker, who serves as the project's executive director. "That foundation has two parts: a strong marriage and a strong faith in Christ. That’s it. That’s the whole program. That’s what we’re doing in Alaska.”

Samaritan’s Purse started Operation Heal Our Patriots in 2012 to strengthen the marriages of military personnel wounded in combat or combat-related activities after 9/11. Over the past five years, our staff has welcomed more than 700 couples to Alaska to participate in the project. We praise God that so far nearly 300 individuals have made commitments to Jesus Christ, and more than 320 couples have publicly rededicated their marriages to the Lord during their stay at Samaritan Lodge. (And the numbers continue to increase week-by-week during the summer.)

Our ministry to these couples does not end in Alaska as we follow up with them over the long term through our aftercare program. Our staff connects couples with local churches, engages families through regular personal contact (phone calls, emails, social media, visits), and meets with them at regional get-togethers. In addition, Operation Heal Our Patriots reunions and regional training events benefit couples by providing more Christian teaching and tools to fortify their marriage. Many of the participants have also developed deep relationships with one another and support each other directly in a variety of ways.

Please continue praying for our staff and the couples they ministered to in 2017.