Show Notes
On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse host, Kristy Graham, sits down with Luther Harrison, vice president of North American Ministries, to hear his perspective on volunteering. Luther reflects on the first year that Samaritan’s Purse deployed volunteers, and how he has watched it grow from 50 volunteers to thousands serving annually.
Through difficult seasons like COVID-19 and managing multiple responses simultaneously, Luther’s faith has continued to grow as his team trusts God to provide the right number of volunteers at the right time.
“Our volunteers, they’re missionaries. They’re meeting people in the ditch of life.” – Luther Harrison
Kristy and Luther discuss how oftentimes our volunteers are serving through the ministry of presence. Everyone can volunteer—there is physical work to be done, but homeowners also need someone to sit with them, listen, and demonstrate God’s love.
Timothy, a first-time Samaritan’s Purse volunteer in Mississippi, shares that when he saw the storm on the news, he felt compelled to help. He lives less than an hour away from one of our bases of operation so he drove down for the day to help. Since he didn’t have any money to give, he decided to give of his heart and time. This is a powerful reminder that we all have something to give.
Next, Kristy hears from people across the country about what they love most about volunteering with Samaritan’s Purse. Over and over again, they echo how they feel privileged to have the opportunity to serve others in need.
“Our volunteers really are the light to people in some of their darkest days, and one of the great things about this is that anyone can get involved. There's a job for everyone. It might be tarping a roof, or sitting with a homeowner just to listen and hear their story and comfort them. You don't need any prior experience to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus.” – Kristy Graham
Samaritan’s Purse Site Leadership Team members make sure that every volunteer has a job to do. No experience necessary. We provide the tools and on-the-job training to make it possible for everyone to be a part of the work.
“I have the opportunity to actually go out and meet the people one-on-one in their houses, in their time of need… it's the toughest job you'll ever love. It's an incredible blessing.” – Don Hall, site leadership team
The episode closes with specific ways that listeners can pray for our volunteer teams. Kristy encourages listeners to pray for their protection and that God would open doors for them to be a light in these communities.
Samaritan’s Purse volunteers are the heartbeat of U.S. Disaster Relief. In honor of National Volunteer Month, Kristy Graham introduces listeners to a few of our selfless volunteers—some who have served with Samaritan’s Purse for more than a decade and others who are volunteering for the first time. Luther Harrison, vice president of North American Ministries, shares how volunteers play an integral role, and how he has seen this aspect of the ministry continue to grow.