DENVER, COLORADO — Alaska alumni were encouraged and strengthened together by the power of God’s Word during the 2024 Operation Heal Our Patriots Reunion in Colorado. This year’s reunion was the largest ever, with more than 700 military couples attending. The weekend event included worship, fellowship, and workshops on marriage and spiritual renewal.

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John Pryor – OHOP Program Director:

We’re in Denver, Colorado for the 2024 Operation Our Patriots reunion. Couples came from all around the country to come here and celebrate what Christ is doing in their life, to grow, to learn some biblical principles that will strengthen their marriage.

Pastor Greg Laurie – Harvest Christian Fellowship:

Many of them have been wounded and have paid a great price. If we can strengthen the marriage, it literally helps the whole nation.

Franklin Graham – President and CEO, Samaritan’s Purse:

All of them here have been to Alaska. But we think it’s so important that we follow up with people.  It’s a great opportunity.

John:

When they leave Alaska, all the things our veterans struggle with are still there. But Operation Heal Our Patriots is still there, too. After combat, many of these veterans lose that sense of community, that sense being part of something big. They can know that they’re not alone. While they’re here, they take marriage enrichment classes. We have breakout sessions taught by chaplains. George Shinn donated a car to Operation Heal Our Patriots. It’s going to be auctioned off to benefit the ministry. We have great speakers here that help strengthen the relationship with Christ, help them grow.

Edward Graham – Chief Operating Officer, Samaritan’s Purse:

In the military, I knew I was going to see things and be a part of things that were much bigger than myself. But I learned to put them at the foot of the cross, to give them over to the Lord, that I could not them myself.

Dr. Don Wilton:

We put on the whole armor of God and because of all that we claimed the victory.

Tim Lee – Evangelist, Vietnam War Veteran:

Today I’m in a wheelchair but today I’m in the will of God and that my friend makes all the difference in the world.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Jonathan Healzer – OHOP Alumni:

The OHOP experience has been awesome.

Elise Healzer – OHOP Alumni:

It’s definitely worth going. It’s an experience you’ll never have anywhere else.

Steven & Monica Corley – OHOP Alumni:

We just renewed our vows at the reunion for 2024.

And we’re very happy about it.

Franklin:

There’s no one here that has gone too far done too much that God can’t forgive. He said, “I’ll never leave you nor forsake you.”

Greg

I’m going to extend an invitation to anyone in this room to put their faith in Jesus Christ.

George Shinn:

To see so many people surrender their lives to Jesus was just amazing. I was crying, I was so touched. It was beautiful.

Anna Gillam – OHOP Alumni:

This isn’t a community, this is family. And it’s even better yet when those family members come and have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Because then they’re going to be a family of God and I’m going to see them when I’m in heaven.

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Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet the needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Operation Heal Our Patriots gives wounded veterans and their spouses the opportunity for spiritual refreshment, physical renewal, and marriage enrichment. Couples participate in Biblically based seminars that help strengthen their relationships with God and others and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation with outdoor activities at our Alaskan wilderness lodge. We continue to support these men and women after their initial stay, keeping their spiritual needs and marriages a priority.

CONTACT: Kaitlyn Lahm, news@samaritan.org

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