Samaritan’s Purse

History

Samaritan’s Purse was founded in 1970 by Bob Pierce with the vision to “meet emergency needs in crisis areas through existing evangelical mission agencies and national churches.” After WWII, Pierce traveling throughout Asia as an evangelist and journalist with Youth for Christ. While he was in China he was inspired by women who were spreading their love of Jesus Christ. After this, he then dedicated himself to support Christians who were volunteering their time to help others around the world. Franklin Graham met Pierce in 1973 and they went on several trips together to visit relief projections in Asia and around the world. Graham eventually became the president of Samaritan’s Purse in 1979 after Pierce’s death. The organization grew in size and Samaritan’s Purse not only helped fund mission partners but also began to develop their own relief projects.

Purpose

Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational Christian organization that provides “spiritual and physical” aid to people suffering from “way, natural disasters, famine, poverty and persecution in more than 100 countries with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His son, Jesus Christ.”

Major Projects

Crisis and Disaster  

• International Relief: Samaritan’s Purse specializes in meeting critical needs for victims of war, disaster, and famine and usually are working through local churches.
• U.S. Disaster Relief: Staff and volunteers have helped more than 39,000 families impacted by U.S. natural disasters.

Feeding Programs

Health and Medical

• World Medical Mission: Samaritan’s Purse deploys hundreds of doctors, dentists, and other medical professionals in under-developed countries.
• Emergency Field Hospital
• Children’s Heart Project

Operation Christmas Child

• Operation Christmas Child uses gift-filled shoeboxes and gives them to children around the world. According to the website, Operation Christmas Child has delivered more than 157 million shoebox gifts to children in more than 160 countries.

Financials

According to Forbes, Samaritan’s Purse was voted the 15th largest charity in the United States. It’s total revenue is $801million dollars. $32 million came from government support, $759 million came from individual donors, and $10 million came from other income. Of that amount, $611 million is spent on charitable services, management/general, and fundraising. There is a $190 million dollar surplus (Forbes).

Recent Controversies

• In November 2018, Samaritan’s Purse responded to accusations that it is anti-gay and anti-Muslim. This was in response to a recent Guardian article that was published arguing that the charity behind Operation Christmas Child holds negative sentiments towards Muslims. They responded to the article by saying, “Our purpose is to show God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. We do this by distributing millions of shoebox gifts to children who are affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty, and famine to let them know that they are not forgotten… Shoebox gifts are given to children regardless of religious affiliation and with no strings attached. Our method is demonstrated in love and we hope that our acts of compassion are an example of our faith.”
• There is also controversy surrounding Franklin Graham’s friendship with Donald Trump and meetings with Vladimir Putin. Putin’s anti-gay legislation is very similar to Graham’s views, and, in 2014, Graham wrote, “In my opinion, Putin is right on these issues. Obviously, he may be wrong about many things, but he has taken a stand to protect his nation’s children from the damaging effects of any gay and lesbian agenda”(The New Yorker).

Youtube Video:

Here is a short Youtube video describing what Operation Christmas Child is.

Sources

1. “Samaritan’s Purse on the Forbes The 100 Largest U.S. Charities List.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, www.forbes.com/companies/samaritans-purse/#15cb9e2c26c9.

2. Griswold, Eliza. “Franklin Graham’s Uneasy Alliance with Donald Trump.” The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 12 Sept. 2018, www.newyorker.com/news/dispatch/franklin-grahams-uneasy-alliance-with-donald-trump.

3. “Samaritan’s Purse Home Page.” Samaritan’s Purse, www.samaritanspurse.org/.