Operation Christmas Child
Five Reasons Students Should Volunteer
Calling All Students! Would you like to be part of a global network of people who are passionate about sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with children around the world? If so, prayerfully consider using your gifts to volunteer with Samaritan's Purse through Operation Christmas Child. Short-term and year-round opportunities are available. Join an army of…
Discipleship, Education & Training
Military Couple Begins New Life in Christ During Alaska Retreat
“How is dad?” the children inquired when their mother picked them up from school. Her answer was important, because it determined how the twin boys entered the house. Would they smile and say hello to their dad? Or would they keep their heads down and slip in unnoticed? Debbie Gonzalez tried hard to shield her…
Media
Ukraine Response Press Kit
Media Resources Media Requests Press Releases Fact Sheets B-roll Audio PSA Photos Ukraine Response Press Kit In response to the conflict in Ukraine, Samaritan's Purse is working in three countries where needs are dire—Ukraine, Poland, and Moldova. Disaster response specialists are providing medical care in four facilities across Ukraine and Moldova—including an Emergency Field Hospital…
Our Ministry
Newsletter July 2026
Franklin Graham Update | July "A Whole New Beginning for Us" Dear Friend, I was in Alaska for the first week of Operation Heal Our Patriots, and I can't believe this summer marks our 15th season in America's Last Frontier ministering to military couples. I am grateful for how God has blessed this work, as we now have welcomed…
Operation Christmas Child
Désiré and the Yo-yo
Désiré and the Yo-yo God used a simple light-up yo-yo to remind me of His love. I remember walking every day to school when I was young. Most of the time I went without any lunch because my parents couldn’t afford to feed all of us a lunch. I was one of seven children, and…
A New Battle: From Fighting Wars to Fighting for Their Families
When the nine wounded military service members and their spouses arrived at Samaritan Lodge Alaska on May 26, they were strangers, but six days later, they left as friends—renewed, refocused, and with new tools to sustain their marriages. After starting their week with a special Memorial Day observance, the couples participated in a kayak lesson…
Discipleship, Education & Training
“Nerves of Steel” Pilot Tammie Jo Shults Encourages Military Couples over July 4 Week in Alaska
Accomplished Navy aviators and commercial airline pilots Tammie Jo Shults and her husband Dean, as well as their son Marshall, encouraged ten military couples at Samaritan Lodge Alaska over July 4 week. Special guests of Franklin Graham and Operation Heal Our Patriots, Tammie Jo and Dean joined wounded veterans and their spouses for excursions and…
Stepping Out in Faith in Alaska
Olga Patterson had already waded out with our chaplains into Lake Clark, shivering and smiling in the waist-deep, glacier-fed waters during a particularly cold season at Samaritan Lodge Alaska. It had only been a few weeks or so since the snow had stopped falling on the surrounding peaks. She probably couldn’t have picked colder water.…
Operation Christmas Child
Challenges Don’t Hinder Volunteer from Following God’s Call
As a year-round volunteer, Rebecca Parker-Moore leads the efforts of Operation Christmas Child’s area team in Huntington, West Virginia. “An area coordinator overseas all the operations of collecting shoeboxes, shepherding a team, and just being the face of Operation Christmas Child in a community,” Rebecca said. At age 16, Rebecca started packing shoebox gifts simply…
Operation Christmas Child
Shoebox Heroes
Millions of people become shoebox heroes to children in need around the world by prayerfully packing an ordinary box with toys and other fun items to communicate God’s love in a way a boy or girl can understand. But some shoebox heroes go “above and beyond” to ensure that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed through Operation…
