BAKERSFIELD, CA — This month, CityServe International will have a grand opening for their new CityServe Family Center in Kyiv, Ukraine. In partnership with churches in Ukraine, this family center will serve to heal the multi-generational trauma of a war that has already claimed over 20,000 Ukrainian lives, including many civilians. The grand opening ceremony…
ANTAKYA, TURKEY — Samaritan’s Purse is providing 21,000 units of refrigerators, fans, and shade kits to earthquake survivors in Turkey who are living in tents. The relief supplies are part of a project to help families combat extreme heat in the region. Bryan Dodson – Samaritan’s Purse: We are in the Antakya, Turkey, which is…
UNITED KINGDOM — Following the successful God Loves You Tour events in Liverpool, South Wales, Sheffield, and London last year, when thousands of people heard a message of hope and God’s love from the Bible, Rev Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) have remained committed to sharing the Good News of Jesus…
NEPAL — In rural Nepal, thousands of Nepalese Christian converts like Shanti* suffer discrimination and even violence. When Shanti’s husband reacted angrily to her decision to start following Jesus, she found support from another believer. Shanti*: My life was sorrowful before I came to Christ, but it became more difficult after I came to Christ….
CHINA— China has pledged to change the face of world Christianity at a conference for pastors of state-controlled churches. China’s Communism Strategy aims to export a Communist-Christian hybrid around the world. This report is from Andrew Boyd. China’s been trying to compel churches to adopt the atheist ideology of the Communist Party which denies the…
TURKEY — As Christians in Turkey and Syria continue to suffer the long-term impact of the devastating earthquakes that struck last month, many nonprofit organizations and ministries are stepping in to provide needed aid. Galcom International, a radio and audio Bible ministry and MegaVoice partner, received an urgent request for solar-powered flashlights and chargers from…
EL SALVADOR — Yolo didn’t know Family Retreat could bless her family. She first got involved with Joni and Friends by encouraging another family to attend Family Retreat. After hearing the story of Alex’s family and the challenges they face navigating life with his autism, she decided to help raise funds to give them the…
IRAQ — Bishop Daniel has known persecution all his life, and despite many opportunities to flee, he chose to stay and support his church and those in his community who could not leave the country. Bishop Daniel: On my 16th birthday, my family got a gun threat from the radical groups in Baghdad. The threat…
BURKINA FASO — Almost two million people in Burkina Faso have been displaced by extremist violence. Many are Christian widows and orphans. Traore* (17) is one of them. He moved to a safer area after a jihadist attack brought tragic loss to his family. Traore*: Sometimes, my heart is broken when I think about my…
IRAQ — Farah was just one of around 70,000 Christians who fled to Erbil to escape the advancement of so-called Islamic State in 2014. When she returned, Open Doors partners helped her to restore her home and business in Nineveh Plains. Farah can well recall the day in 2014 when her family fled their home…
ORLANDO, FL — Wycliffe Associates, an international organization that empowers mother-tongue Bible translators and partners with local churches in the advancement of Bible translation, has developed a new language for the Deaf and Deaf-Blind community, which is now being used in both public and private schools in Africa. The language, called Symbolic Universal Language, or…
LOVES PARK, IL — Ten-year-old Maryna kneels beside her bed and prays for the war in Ukraine to end. For Maryna, the horrors of war have already left lifelong scars. Surgeons had to amputate her crushed leg after a shell exploded next to her home. Now she wears a prosthetic. Any loud noise brings her…
ALASKA — Chef Pasquale Presa came to Samaritan Lodge Alaska to cook for Operation Heal Our Patriots veterans and their spouses. He also shared some secrets with their cooks about preparing great Italian dishes for our heroes. Pasquale Presa – Pasquale’s neighborhood Pizzeria: I have a special bond to the United States. We came to…
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA — It’s been 100 days since violence erupted in Sudan, displacing hundreds of thousands of displaced families and forcing a staggering 230.000 refugees to seek safety in Chad. We take you to Greensboro Airport, where a Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 cargo plane is being sent on a life-saving mission. Loaded with vital humanitarian…
SOUTHERN LAOS — In a remote part of southern Laos, 40-year-old Peto* has been following Jesus for over ten years as a Christian. But his Christian faith was opposed by the village authorities who considered it a foreign religion. In a remote part of southern Laos, 40-year-old Peto has been following Jesus for over 10…
EASTON, MD — Lebanon “needs a miracle” as the nation faces a deepening economic crisis, says a Christian media ministry based in the region. The Middle East nation between Israel and Syria has experienced surging unemployment, triple-digit inflation, a collapsing currency, rolling blackouts, and fuel shortages. “The Lebanese people are really hurting,” said Rita El-Mounayer,…
ATAKPAMÉ, TOGO — The Ifè people of Togo have had the New Testament in their language since 2009, and it has had a huge impact. But having the full Bible in Ifè is vital to ensure that people have the complete message of God’s word in their language, and so translating work continues. Akoété –…
CHARLOTTE, NC — The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) has deployed to Hampton, Georgia, after a gunman killed four people and wounded two police officers. Chaplains will be attending a community vigil in Hampton tonight and will provide emotional and spiritual support to those who are grieving. “Our hearts break for those who have…
CÚCUTA, COLOMBIA — Samaritan’s Purse is in Colombia helping Venezuelan migrants living in areas where there are limited resources. In these neighborhoods, they are teaching children how to read and write, and sowing seeds of the Gospel into their hearts. Tom Ovington – Samaritan’s Purse: Venezuela started to have extreme economic issues. And a lot…
CHARLOTTE, NC — The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying to Highland Falls, New York, an area that experienced catastrophic flooding this past weekend. Roadways were washed out and dozens of water rescues took place after more than a half-foot of rain fell in only a few hours. Highland Falls is just outside…
COLOMBIA — As a young woman in Colombia, Reina joined the guerrilla movement and was taught that religion was the opium of the people. She fully committed to serving as a guerrilla fighter, but after being hospitalized during a patrol, she cried out to God for help and underwent a transformation and became a Christian….
ORLANDO, FL — The Missionary Church USA elected its seventh president this week, marking a new era for the evangelical denomination based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Rev. Rodney Arnold of Knoxville, Tennessee was elected by delegates representing churches from across the country at the biannual SHIFT National Conference held in Orlando, Florida. At 40 years…
ASHEVILLE, NC — On July 28-30, The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville, North Carolina, will welcome Hispanic Christians for a Spanish-language seminar led by Guatemalan preacher and director of the ministry Legendarios, Chepe Putzu. “For decades, The Cove has welcomed people from around the world to be equipped with God’s Word…
ANGOLA, SOUTHERN AFRICA — Cavango is located over 100km from the nearest village in Angola in Southern Africa, but can now be seen on Google Earth thanks to a 16-year runway project funded by Canadian supporters of Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) – the world’s largest humanitarian air service. On Monday 12 June, the village of…
HIGHLAND FALLS, NY — Homeowners in Highland Falls, New York, give thanks for the Samaritan’s Purse volunteers who are helping to clean up their homes after massive flash floods swept through the area. Jason Santiago – Homeowner: There was water running on this main road, like swimming pools and rocks were coming down. Water that…
EGYPT — In Baher’s* community in Egypt, Egyptian Christians are only offered dangerous jobs in the quarry. After two terrible accidents, Baher felt hopeless and alone. An Open Doors partner is helping him see lasting hope. *Name changed for security reasons. Baher’s*: I started working as a quarryman when I was 13. That was a…
AFGHANISTAN —A special needs school in Kabul in Afghanistan is using play, sports and arts to help heal traumatized kids who have lost their childhoods. The project is supported by Christian charity CRY. A school project supported by Christian charity Cry is restoring the lost childhoods of special needs kids in Kabul in Afghanistan. Cry’s…
SOMALIA —According to the tradition of the Church, June 29th marked the martyrdom of the apostle Paul. This year, several Christians around the world took time on June 29th and throughout that weekend to honor the legacy of those who sacrificed their lives for the advancement of the Gospel.Abdiwelli Ahmed descended from a long line…
SWAHILI — Using advanced computer technology, the new animated series “The Legacy of Adam” aims to impact families from all faith backgrounds with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Recorded in Swahili and translated in English for a potential impact of 50 million Muslim families the Legacy of Adam will showcase the gospel message from…
SOUTHERN UKRAINE — A recent dam collapse has added to the hardships facing the resilient Ukrainian people. On June 6, the Kakhovka Dam caved in after a significant explosion, unleashing the waters of the nation’s largest reservoir on tens of thousands of people in southern Ukraine. Samaritan’s Purse quickly responded with critically needed relief for…
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND — UK charity Human Appeal called on the World community to support an urgent integrated humanitarian intervention in Somalia. This comes as part of Human Appeal’s ongoing humanitarian work in Somalia where millions are on the verge of famine due to repeated rainy season failures and conflict. The worst hunger levels in three…
RALEIGH, NC — America’s nonprofit organizations need to “reimagine” the way they raise funds if they’re to ride out coming storms and thrive in the future, national fundraising firm DickersonBakker says. “We believe there is a ‘perfect storm’ coming that is going to have a massive impact on nonprofits in the future,” said Derric Bakker,…
NIGERIA, AFRICA — Mary* from Nigeria was kidnapped by Fulani militants and experienced awful violence and sexual assault at their hands. After she was freed, Open Doors partners cared for her at a trauma care centre where she found peace. Sadly, shortly after Mary shared her story with us, she died from an unrelated illness…
PERRYTON, TEXAS — Samaritan’s Purse volunteers are working tirelessly to help residents restore their damaged homes and to bring comfort to aching souls after a deadly tornado laid waste the Texas Panhandle town of Perryton. Derek Drum: We took a direct hit in the city of Barrytown. The tornado itself went six miles in 11…
CHARLOTTE, NC — Today, Fearless with Cissie Graham Lynch releases a milestone 100th podcast episode. The special installation was recorded at the North Carolina mountain home of host Cissie Graham Lynch’s grandparents, Billy and Ruth Graham. Their home, which was also where her father, Franklin Graham, was raised, holds special memories for Lynch that she…
LIBERIA — Pastor Alex Gbaqurende Teh praises God for the remarkable restoration Samaritan’s Purse did to restore his community’s church building in Liberia that had fallen into disrepair. The church means a whole lot to the community. This is our mission, go ye into the world to preach to all nations and bring them, baptizing…
BENTON, AR — The 11th annual Amplify Music Festival takes place August 18-19 in Benton, AR. The event will include a message of hope by Evangelist Nick Hall and feature Christian artists Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, and many others. With expenses paid by local businesses, churches, and community members, tickets are free, so anyone can…
UKRAINE —Kseniya, a Ukrainian mother, shares the terror she and her family experienced during recent bombings. Samaritan’s Purse is helping to provide food for Kseniya and other families in the war-torn country. Kseniya – Ukrainian Mother: Our ears popped and buzzed. We were sitting in the cellar when the cellar shuddered. You can’t mistake explosions…
MARKED TREE, ARKANSAS — The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying to Marked Tree, Arkansas, after a line of severe storms tore through the Mid-South. Winds in excess of 100 mph snapped power lines and caused widespread damage to the small city located between Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Memphis, Tennessee. “Our thoughts and prayers…
MALAYSIA — More than six years after abducted husband, Pastor Raymond Koh, was kidnapped in Malaysia, his wife Susanna is pleased that a trial into the abduction has finally started. After two days of statements and questioning earlier this month, the trial resumed on June 20th. Susanna shares her reflections on the trial of…
SIERRA LEONE — As Sierra Leone faces extreme poverty and high rates of illiteracy, Christian school Destiny Grace Academy is teaching hundreds of children, who’ve been rescued from the slums of the capital city of Freetown, to be the country’s next generation of leaders. A Christian-run school in war-torn Sierra Leone has provided life-changing education…
UKRAINE —Samaritan’s Purse is responding with the love of Jesus Christ and providing emergency food to people in Ukraine whose residential building was destroyed by a missile strike. Noah Hall – Samaritan’s Purse: We’re here at the location of a missile impact that destroyed a residential building. We’re seeing and hearing reports of more than…
MIAMI — Gregory Toussaint, CEO of Shekinah.fm and senior pastor of Tabernacle of Glory, announced Shekinah.fm’s ‘Relief for Haiti’ to be held on Sunday, July 9. This event will bring together thousands in the U.S.—including all 50 states—plus participants in Haiti, Canada and France, to bring awareness to the mounting insecurity in Haiti. The United…
TEXAS — The Rio Grande Valley is located in deep south Texas, a border region that is receiving thousands of immigrants seeking refuge or asylum. Most of them come from countries where they suffer, and their living conditions are so extreme that they have no other option but to leave and seek a better life…
UGANDA — At least 37 schoolchildren have been killed in an attack in Uganda by militants linked to the Islamic State terror group. Militants linked to Islamic State have carried out a massacre at a boarding school in western Uganda, killing and kidnapping students. It’s been described as the deadliest attack in Uganda since 2010….
TULSA, OKLAHOMA — The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying to Tulsa, Oklahoma, after a severe storm system swept through the area Saturday night. Winds in excess of 100 mph caused widespread damage and knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of people. “After seeing the amount of devastation that was in Tulsa,…
UKRAINE — A ministry team from Great Commission Media Ministries narrowly escaped with their lives while delivering aid supplies in the Donetsk region of East Ukraine. They came within just 100 metres of being hit by Russian missiles, but thanks to God’s protection they were able to continue with their aid supplies delivering food packs…
BURKINA FASO, WEST AFRICA — When she was 13 years old, Habiba* was kidnapped by Islamic extremists in Burkino Faso. She eventually escaped, but she is still haunted by the traumatic memories of the kidnapping. *Name changed for security reasons Habiba*: I still remember the scene.I can’t sleep at night. I have nightmares. Sometimes I…
KLAMATH FALLS, OR — Several years of prayer and preparation led to more than 50 churches in Klamath County, Oregon coming together for Greater Klamath CityFest with Andrew Palau this past Memorial Day weekend. Working to serve the region and proclaim a powerful message of hope in Jesus, this historic effort brought together thousands of…
IRAQ — Logos Hope community experienced many things in Basra, Iraq: rich history, delicious food and intriguing architecture. But it was the warmth, kindness and welcoming nature of the Iraqi people that captured the hearts of crewmembers. Edward and Heather David: We are here beside Shat al-Arab river at the junction of the Euphrates and…
