The Transforming Power of the Gospel: Operation Heal Our Patriots

Operation Heal Our Patriots, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse, transforms the lives of military couples through the eternal hope only found in Jesus Christ. Whether it’s the physical wounds that you can see or the invisible ones, war changes people. This week-long marriage retreat in rural Alaska provides veterans and their spouses with Biblical training and Godly counsel, but this ministry does not stop there. Operation Heal Our Patriots walks with these couples for life.

Every year, hundreds of Operation Heal Our Patriots alumni gather for a joyful reunion. Kristy Graham, host of On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse, attended the recent reunion in Denver, Colorado, where she witnessed many more military couples surrender their lives to Christ. Soon after, Kristy sat down with Matt and Kayla Tucker, a couple who attended Operation Heal Our Patriots last summer.

Matt enlisted in the Army right out of high school, and he and Kayla were married young. Right away, they faced a difficult deployment, and the effects of war took a toll on their marriage. Matt's wounds are invisible, but they were difficult for him to work through. It was challenging for Matt to move on from military life—his identity was stripped away.

“When you're in the military, you create this identity. You create that name. That last name that you have on your chest is who everybody identifies you as.”—Matt Tucker

Matt received treatment to control his mental health and recover from war’s wounds, but the Tuckers were still seeking the camaraderie they missed from military life. God's hand was at work, and He led them right to Operation Heal Our Patriots. The week in Alaska was life-changing, as it provided the Tuckers with a chance to slow down, reconnect, and dedicate their lives to Christ. Matt quickly connected with Lou, one of the chaplains in Alaska, and he now considers him a mentor.

“Every day, I feel like I grow closer to God, and [Chaplain Lou] helps in many ways.”—Matt Tucker

This impact of Operation Heal Our Patriots goes beyond the couples who spend a week at Samaritan Lodge—it has a ripple effect. Recently, Matt received a message from one of his former soldiers who came across a video of him getting baptized in Alaska. When he was at an all-time low, witnessing Matt’s public declaration of his faith saved this man’s life.

At the Operation Heal Our Patriots reunion, Tim Lee, a double-amputee Vietnam War veteran, spoke to the hundreds of couples. Tim lost both his legs while serving in Vietnam, but miraculously recovered after spending months in the hospital. Upon returning home, God did the unexpected: He called Tim to be a full-time pastor. For decades, he has faithfully preached to his fellow veterans.

“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. Hey, you're saved today, but you're out of the will of God. You're running from God. I beg you. Come home today. This is your day.”—Tim Lee

Kristy’s husband, chief operating officer at Samaritan’s Purse and former Army Ranger Edward Graham, also spoke at the reunion. He implored those listening to surrender their lives to Christ, step out into the uncomfortable, and wholeheartedly pursue a relationship with Jesus.

“In the military, I knew I was going to see things and be a part of things that were much bigger than myself, just like you. But I learned to put them at the foot of the cross, to give them over to the Lord, that I could not handle them myself.”—Edward Graham

Pray for the Tuckers, past Operation Heal Our Patriots couples, and the ones to come. Please pray that God would continue to use the ministry of Operation Heal Our Patriots to draw more people to Himself. Pray for the Operation Heal Our Patriots staff, volunteers, and chaplains serving faithfully. If you’d like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground, please visit SamaritansPurse.org.