Samaritan’s Purse has committed one of our Emergency Field Hospitals to the town of King Salmon, Alaska, as a massive influx of commercial fishermen and fishery workers are expected to swell the area’s population this summer—bringing the ominous potential of a COVID-19 outbreak. “Many locals are frightened, remembering what happened when the Spanish flu came…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Samaritan’s Purse Airlifts Field Hospital to Alaska
Samaritan’s Purse airlifted a 30-bed Emergency Field Hospital and critical medical supplies to King Salmon, Alaska, on June 1 in advance of a possible COVID-19 outbreak. The threat is expected to significantly rise this summer as more than 10,000 fishermen and cannery workers from around the world descend upon the Bristol Bay region. Many of…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Samaritan’s Purse Airlifts Medical Supplies to Alaska
The Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 aircraft landed in Alaska on Monday, April 6, with over 8 tons of supplies critical for the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. At the request of the governor’s office, we provided hospital beds, thermometers, and personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, and gowns. These will be delivered to rural areas…
Construction Projects
Samaritan’s Purse Rebuilds Two More Churches in Rural Alaska
Clara Honea remembers when the first missionaries floated down the Yukon River more than 73 years ago to Ruby, Alaska—a gold rush town turned native village, now home to a community of Athabaskan Koyukon people in the state’s remote interior. She remembers some of the first services at Ruby Bible Church and especially the night…
Discipleship, Education & Training
“Nerves of Steel” Pilot Tammie Jo Shults Encourages Military Couples over July 4 Week in Alaska
Accomplished Navy aviators and commercial airline pilots Tammie Jo Shults and her husband Dean, as well as their son Marshall, encouraged ten military couples at Samaritan Lodge Alaska over July 4 week. Special guests of Franklin Graham and Operation Heal Our Patriots, Tammie Jo and Dean joined wounded veterans and their spouses for excursions and…
Construction Projects
New Building Will Help Church Shine the Light of Jesus in Southwestern Alaska
A vessel crossed the Bering Sea in 1919 and traveled inland along the Yukon River to help start the first native-led church in the newly-established settlement of Mountain Village—a small community in southwestern Alaska. The ship’s name was Hope and it was carrying its namesake—the hope found only in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Over…
Construction Projects
Alaska: Hope on a Hill in Togiak
The salmon berries are the sweetest. They are a staple for Nellie Thomas who needs to gather enough of the fruit for herself, her husband, and both their parents. She’ll store enough berries—including blackberries, raven berries, and blueberries—to mix in recipes and eat in meals all winter. You can’t really buy fruits and vegetables in…
Our Ministry
Helping the People of Alaska
Samaritan’s Purse has worked in Alaska since 2006, helping thousands of people in the Name of Christ through relief, feeding, and rebuilding programs. “We have a great relationship with the folks of the state,” said Luther Harrison, Vice President of North American Ministry. “They know our resources, our capacity, and capability.” This year, Samaritan’s Purse…
Operation Heal Our Patriots 2020 Begins: Couples Arrive in Alaska
Update (July 15): This is the story of the arrival of Week One patriot couples. For a full story on the first week’s activities, go to the wrap-up article here. — This year’s first group of patriot couples took off from Anchorage around 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, and arrived at Port Alsworth about…
Discipleship, Education & Training
Alaska Governor Bill Walker Thanks Veterans at Samaritan Lodge
Alaska Governor Bill Walker expressed gratitude to military couples and to Samaritan’s Purse during a visit this week to Samaritan Lodge to see our Operation Heal Our Patriots project. “Thank you very much for your service,” Walker told military couples during a Wednesday night campfire cookout. “It’s a humbling honor to stand before you and…
