Samaritan’s Purse

When people hear about Samaritan’s Purse, they may first think about Operation Christmas Child (OCC). This is an annual event that Eastern Hills Church has been heavily invested in for several years. It helps spread the “Good News” of Jesus Christ around the world, through shoeboxes filled with meaningful items, like pencils, composition books, coloring books, crayons, balls, etc. However, Samaritan’s Purse is so much more.

They are also a ministry that is on the front lines when it comes to natural disasters. They were in Venezuela shortly after the country was hit by two massive earthquakes. They set up an emergency field hospital to care for the injured. When the Ebola outbreak occurred in a portion of the DR Congo, they airlifted an Ebola Treatment Center to care for patients who had been exposed to the virus. When hurricane Melissa devastated Jamaica, they set up emergency shelters, along with fresh drinking water stations. They have taken similar actions in the U.S. when hurricanes, massive flooding, or fires have impacted communities. In each of their responses they are intentional about giving a Bible and sharing the Gospel with the people for which they are caring. They are ministering to the whole person, meeting their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

In addition to all the above, they have a program known as Operation Heal our Patriots. They provide active-duty and veteran military personnel and their spouses with marriage enrichment classes at an Alaskan wilderness lodge where they can connect with God as well as each other. Many of these men and women have experienced PTSD while serving and are seeking to save and/or strengthen their marriages. Like many of their programs, this is not a one-time activity. There is regular follow-up with the couples through their Family Care program of regional chaplains and support network.

If you would like to learn more about Samaritan’s Purse, please email Pastor Joe DeLozier at jdelozier@ehwc.org.