Operation Heal Our Patriots

This summer, On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse host Kristy Graham, and her husband Edward, flew to Alaska to greet wounded veterans and their spouses. As couples landed on the rocky airstrip, many locals gathered with the Operation Heal Our Patriots team to give them a hero’s welcome. They were waving American flags, greeting them with cheers and applause, and thanking them for their dedication to protect the United States. The couples spent a week at Samaritan Lodge Alaska where they participated in programs uniquely developed to strengthen their marriages. At Samaritan Lodge Alaska, couples have the opportunity to get away from the normal pressures of life, reconnect, explore the Alaskan wilderness, and participate in Biblically based marriage enrichment classes.

Samaritan’s Purse gives thanks to God that through this ministry we have welcomed more than 1,150 military couples to Alaska since 2012, with 473 individuals accepting Christ as their Savior. More than 580 people have been baptized, and 562 couples have rededicated their marriages to God and to each other.

Kristy heard the life changing story of Tony and Amy Payne, one of the many couples impacted by Operation Heal Our Patriots. The Paynes met in a tattoo shop. Shortly after they got married, Tony felt led to join the military. After multiple years of service, Tony was critically injured by an improvised explosive device (IED). He and Amy’s marriage hit an all-time low. Out of desperation, Tony turned to God’s Word and accepted Jesus as his personal Savior. For the next several years, Tony followed faithfully after Jesus and prayed regularly for his wife Amy to experience God’s love in the same way he had. It was not until they came to Alaska that Amy understood what it meant to follow Jesus. After three years, Tony’s prayers were answered when Amy committed her life to God. At the end of the week, she was baptized in the icy waters of Lake Clark.

Another couple whose marriage was restored was JP and Crystal Lane. When JP joined the army at the young age of 22, he was deployed to Afghanistan. In 2011, he was wounded by an IED. Sustaining 26 injuries and going through 28 surgeries, JP and Crystal knew that God had performed a miracle. They spent their time and energy telling JP’s testimony to others, but at the end of the day, they had little left for one another.

“I enjoy 100% inspiring people with the testimony that God has given us and what I’ve been through, but we would be so drained so much that when we were home, we didn’t care about inspiring each other and it was breaking us apart.” – JP Lane

It wasn’t until they came to Alaska that they truly refocused their marriage on one another, and centered their lives around Christ. Operation Heal Our Patriots allowed them to recognize their need, and it gave them space for restoration.

Kristy then had an insightful conversation with Lieutenant General VanAntwerp, a loyal volunteer to Operation Heal Our Patriots since 2012, about the role of a caregiver. Lieutenant General VanAntwerp emphasized the importance of family and the healing that happens when couples communicate openly. He encourages couples to draw the line in the sand, promising to commit to their marriages.

But how did Operation Heal Our Patriots begin? Franklin Graham explained to Kristy that the program started when he recognized the need for marriage enrichment for military couples. Over the past seven years, the program has grown and changed for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“When we first started, I wasn’t prepared for the results we would see spiritually. Every week people get saved. Every week people are baptized. Every week couples renew their marriages.” – Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse

This summer alone 81 couples renewed their vows, and 61 people accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. Many of those that are newly saved choose to be baptized in Lake Clark. Seeing lives changed and marriages restored is the highlight of the week.

Thank You

Thank you to all of our veterans—all those who have selflessly served in the United States armed forces—and to those who have stood beside them. Because of your service, we are grateful to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Thank you for your willingness to defend and protect the freedoms we all enjoy.