Samaritan’s Purse was founded in 1970 in Southern California by evangelist and missionary Bob Pierce. His goal was to meet emergency needs in crisis areas around the world and share God’s love with hurting people. He wanted to “Go and do likewise,” as Jesus commanded following the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37).
In 1973, Pierce met his eventual successor Franklin Graham, in whom God was developing a heart for those in need around the globe. Together, the two visited some of the world’s neediest places and saw firsthand where millions live in darkness without Jesus Christ. Franklin then knew that God was calling him to full-time service for His Kingdom.
Pierce died in 1978 and a year later Franklin was named President and Chairman of the Board of Samaritan’s Purse. He then relocated the organization to Boone, North Carolina, where he made his home. Under his leadership for now over 40 years, the ministry has provided critical relief, including food, medicine, clothing, and clean water, to millions of suffering people in over 160 countries—always in Jesus’ Name.
“No matter where we go, our mission is the same— to be the hands and feet of Jesus wherever disaster strikes and share His love with those who are hurting.” — Franklin Graham
Samaritan’s Purse International Headquarters is in Boone, but we have staff across the globe, serving in projects such as international and domestic disaster relief, Operation Christmas Child, and World Medical Mission.
International Headquarters in Boone is a friendly, energetic campus where hundreds of dedicated brothers and sisters in Christ come together each workday for a common purpose—to meet the practical needs of suffering people and share with them the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We begin each morning with ministry-wide devotions and prayer, uplifting one another and the needs of our global staff and volunteers. Samaritan’s Purse employees are guided by Jesus’ command to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Boone, nestled in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, is a great place to work, play, and call home. No matter what season it is, Boone offers something for everyone. The area boasts world-class mountain bike and hiking trails, premiere ski resorts, summer and winter ziplining, roaring river rapids, canoeing, and fantastic fly fishing. Popular music festivals, great dining and shopping, and family oriented destinations such as Tweetsie Railroad and Grandfather Mountain make Boone a perfect year-round getaway or place to put down roots. Named for famed frontiersman Daniel Boone, the town is home to Appalachian State University and is just minutes from the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway.
I have the incredible joy of equipping the saints to serve with excellence. It’s an honor to be able to help people see how they fit into what God is doing to redeem this broken world. If I can help people know their role better, know themselves better, and know God better, then they will be able to serve Him better.
Andy Berke – Human Resources
Since 2009 our North American Ministries team has been working from North Wilkesboro where they maintain a fleet of disaster response vehicles poised for deployment at a moment’s notice. In more recent years, we have continued to expand our presence in North Wilkesboro and now have the capacity to resource our global field offices and partner mission hospitals with relief supplies, medical equipment, and other materials whenever and wherever disaster strikes. Our donor relations, finance, and international information technology teams are also based at this location. They daily join in the morning devotions with headquarters via livestreaming video, and at times speakers stream to Boone.
Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Wilkes County is a hub for the arts and outdoor activities. Most notably, it annually hosts MerleFest, a four-day, 13-stage event featuring bluegrass and other music genres in the tradition of its founder, the late guitar legend Doc Watson. As a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College, the festival draws guests from around the United States. Smaller venues in the area also host a wide range of artists throughout the year. With more than 20,000 acres of public land in Wilkes County, there are an abundance of places to enjoy God’s creation as you hike, bike, kayak, or fish. The Greensboro regional airport is also conveniently located less than 80 miles away, making work or personal travel easily accessible.
I serve our wonderful ministry partners whose support helps make the work of Samaritan’s Purse possible. I connect them with what God is doing in the field and communicate to them the impact of their gift. Together, we prayerfully build strong connections based on what God has laid on their hearts. This produces wonderful fruit, not only in the lives of those whom Samaritan’s Purse serves, but also in the lives of our partners.
Cathy Njoya – Donor Ministries
Hundreds of Samaritan’s Purse international field staff work out of our multiple country offices around the world. In these diverse and culturally-rich environments, they directly touch people in Jesus’ Name as they personally deliver ongoing relief to needy communities. Many of these offices started after we initially responded to disasters in these nations. After the immediate crises were over, we offered to stay to equip churches as they continue to help people recover.
As the communications manager in South Sudan, I get to spotlight the sacrificial work of the men and women who serve Christ here. I get to write about how every program—offering clean water, distributing food, or even providing goats to a community—can transform the lives of people and open doors to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Rachel Chadalavada – Projects Field Staff
