Media
Samaritan’s Purse Dedicates New Boeing 767 and Retires Historic DC-8 Press Kit
Press Releases DC-8 Photos 767 Photos B-roll Samaritan’s Purse Dedicates New Boeing 767 and Retires Historic DC-8 Samaritan’s Purse, the international Christian relief organization, will ceremonially retire its Douglas DC-8 cargo aircraft and dedicate its new Boeing 767 on November 14th. For more than a decade, the Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 served as the organization’s primary…
Our Ministry
A Tribute to the DC-8
!["The Mighty DC-8 has been [God's] instrument taking the Gospel message of Jesus Christ throughout the world," writes Joe Proffitt, a flight engineer with Samaritan's Purse, as the legendary plane is decommissioned.](https://spweb-uploads.s3.theark.cloud/2025/11/HS-1-320x273.jpg)
My name is Joe Proffitt and I have had the honor and privilege to be a flight engineer aboard this beautiful aircraft, the Mighty DC-8, for the past five and a half years. McDonnell Douglas produced 554 DC-8s. Samaritan’s Purse was blessed to operate the last one registered in the United States. In 2014, during…
Our Ministry
Flying Into a New Era for Samaritan’s Purse Aviation
On Nov. 14, staff members and friends of the ministry joined our Mission Aviation Services team to bid farewell and to celebrate all that God has done through our DC-8 cargo aircraft. In addition, our 767 plane was dedicated to God’s glory as it joined our fleet during an event that was held at our…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Franklin Graham Sees Relief Work in Jamaica; Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes Delivered
Franklin Graham met with storm survivors in Jamaica on Sunday in Black River. Earlier in the weekend, our DC-8 aircraft carried more than 9,000 Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to the island for children affected by Hurricane Melissa. It was the final mission for this historic aircraft. Franklin Graham visited Black River and other communities…
Media
Press Release: Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 Makes Final Flight from Greensboro, Delivering Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes to Hurricane-Ravaged Jamaica
Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 Makes Final Flight from Greensboro, Delivering Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes to Hurricane-Ravaged Jamaica BOONE, N.C., Dec. 4, 2025 —This Friday, December 5th, the last U.S.-registered DC-8 will embark on its final mission—carrying 9,200 shoebox gifts to Jamaica. These Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes are packed with toys, school supplies, and personal care items…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Help Arrives for Families Fleeing Conflict in Cambodia
UPDATE MONDAY, JAN. 5: As the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand holds, many displacement camps have shut down and people are beginning to return to their home villages. As a result, Samaritan’s Purse is no longer distributing relief items along the border, but is actively assessing and meeting the needs of local Cambodians through our…
Media
Fact Sheet: Aviation
Samaritan's Purse Aviation Since 1975, Samaritan’s Purse has used aircraft to transport doctors and relief workers along with tons of food, medicine, shelter materials, blankets, and other items to aid victims of war, natural disasters, disease, famine, and poverty. To support the global work of Samaritan's Purse, the aviation arm of the ministry operates 28…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Samaritan’s Purse Volunteers Working in the Wake of Major Winter Storm
UPDATE (Feb. 4): We have now also opened a base of operations in New Albany, Mississippi, to serve those hard hit by the winter storm. Volunteers are welcome to begin serving as the hands and feet of Jesus at this location on Feb. 6. Samaritan’s Purse volunteers began serving homeowners Friday, Jan. 30, as we…
Our Ministry
Newsletter March 2026
Franklin Graham Update | March Franklin Graham Update | March Helping Homeowners Recover From Winter's Icy Blast Dear Friend, As I write this, Samaritan's Purse disaster relief teams are still hard at work in three states following a deadly midwinter storm that caused massive damage across the South. Ice, sleet, and snow knocked out power to more than a million people, with some waiting…
Our Ministry
Newsletter April 2026
Franklin Graham Update | April Israel AP PHOTO/LEO CORREA Franklin Graham Update | April Pray for the Middle East Dear Friend, As I write this, the Middle East is on fire. Once again, Israel is defending itself from the radical Islamic regime of Iran and its terrorist allies. Now is the time to pray. Both the people of Iran and the people of Israel are…
