Samaritan's Purse Team Patriot
Join this Samaritan's Purse initiative to deploy alongside other Operation Heal Our Patriots couples to the front lines of disasters!
In the aftermath of natural disasters, communities often look and feel like war zones. Survivors have been in a battle for their lives as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires, and other catastrophic events wreaked havoc around them. They need an army of volunteers who are ready to help, providing leadership and skilled work in Jesus' Name.
Team Patriot gives military couples who have participated in Operation Heal Our Patriots the opportunity to serve hurting people in the aftermath of disaster. Through this Samaritan’s Purse program, military veterans and their spouses are able to use their battle-tested leadership abilities and unique skills to meet physical needs and share God’s love with homeowners trying to pick up the pieces of their lives after tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other natural catastrophes.
“…who better to send after a disaster than these men and women who’ve experienced military life and combat.”
"The storms are coming, Scripture tells us that, but who better to send after a disaster than these men and women who've experienced military life and combat," said Edward Graham, Chief Operating Officer of Samaritan's Purse and the youngest son of Samaritan's Purse President Franklin Graham. Before joining Samaritan's Purse, Edward served 16 years in the United States Army.
Since 2012, God has used our Operation Heal Our Patriots project to heal and strengthen military marriages through Biblically based training and ongoing care as part of our Family Care ministry. In 2019, Team Patriot was launched to involve military couples in relief efforts in the aftermath of natural disasters in the United States.
Team Patriot Members Respond As:
- Disaster Relief Crews
- Rebuild Teams
The first Team Patriot deployment took place in August, 2019, in Texas where our teams were rebuilding homes damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 hurricane that struck southeastern Texas in 2017.
"Team Patriot is a new life for me—it's a new purpose. It's a new sense of filling a void in assisting others," said Marine Sergeant Robert Bogus who served during that first deployment.
Robert helped with the rebuild for an 84-year-old widow whose home was flooded during Hurricane Harvey. "I still personally want to serve those around me and Jesus said I come to serve, not to be served," he said. "That's the reason I'm here."
Working Hard to See God at Work
Army Staff Sergeant Andrew Jenkins and his wife, Aimmie, watched the withdrawal of the U.S. military from Afghanistan. Grief and anger followed. But then they had a better idea than watching decades of work disintegrate in Kabul.
Within a couple of hours they were driving toward Louisiana to help with someone else's storm. Hurricane Ida had lashed New Orleans, and Team Patriot was there working. Andrew poured himself into cutting and hauling logs and tarping roofs. He actually loved the exhaustion.
“Even as tired as I was, I went to bed full of joy because I got to see God move. It's like nothing I've ever experienced before.”
A New Mission of Hope
Medically retired after 27 years and 12 deployments, Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant Brad Chandler wasn't finished. "I love a mission," he said. A mission is what he got when he and his wife, Tammy, joined the work in June 2022 helping fire victims in Muro, New Mexico.
A month later, Chandler went to flooded St. Louis to clean out waterlogged homes.
“It's restored a sense of calling and purpose for me and for us as a couple.”
"I found a mission to be a part of working alongside other veterans. It's restored a sense of calling and purpose for me and for us as a couple. And as a believer, I love the mission of sharing the Gospel and of seeing joy come back to people's faces."
Team Patriot Videos
Preguntas Frecuentes
Will my travel to the job site be reimbursed?
Yes. We will cover the costs of all airfare, train, and bus tickets. Any personal vehicle travel will be reimbursed up to the cost of an airfare ticket. Expenses will be covered for each Team Patriot volunteer up to three times per year.
Can my service dog accompany me?
Yes. Any doctor-prescribed and certified service dog may work alongside you on a case-by-case basis. At times, the locations of our responses might limit access for your service dog. A signed service animal waiver is required.
Can my spouse serve with Team Patriot?
Absolutely! Spouses are part of the team and encouraged to serve alongside of their husband or wife. Lodging at churches typically requires spouses to sleep in separate spaces.
Can one of my children attend if my spouse cannot?
Yes, a child who is 14 years of age or older can accompany their parent. Note: We will cover the cost for you and your spouse OR you and your child 14 years of age or older.
Can I volunteer on a non-Team Patriot designated project?
Yes, you are welcome to serve on any North American Ministries volunteer project at your own expense. Those opportunities can be found at spvolunteer.org.
How can I know when a Team Patriot deployment is happening?
Request to join our private Facebook page "Team Patriot," text TPATRIOT to 43037 to receive text alerts, or email teampatriot@samaritan.org and our Volunteer Coordinator will gather some information from you.
What are accommodations like on a typical response?
For most domestic projects, volunteers are housed at a local church. Housing is separated by gender. We will provide specific details for each project site as to how housing will be set up. There may be locations where husbands and wives can stay together, but this will not be available at every location.
What is your policy on alcohol and tobacco?
We ask that you do not use tobacco products (including e-cigarettes) or alcohol while volunteering with Samaritan’s Purse. These products or their use are not permitted at the volunteer housing site, in Samaritan’s Purse vehicles, or within the homes or neighborhoods of families being served by Samaritan’s Purse. If you need to leave the site to smoke, we ask that you do not wear your Samaritan’s Purse T-shirt.
If you have additional questions, please contact us at 828-262-1980 or by email at teampatriot@samaritan.org.
