Denise Blanchett said the water was so cold she couldn’t speak. Or perhaps she was speechless for other reasons, such as the overpowering emotions she experienced during such an important moment. For nearly four years she had thought about the opportunity she’d missed to be baptized with her husband, Army Sergeant Scott Blanchett, in the…
50 Years of Ministry
Rebuilding in Hooper Bay
The 2006 fire that blazed through most of Hooper Bay, Alaska, started in a school and then burned down homes and buildings as wind swept the flames across the community. Dozens of families were left homeless, and the harsh Alaska winter was only weeks away. “We only had two months left in the year that…
Discipleship, Education & Training
Military Couples Come Together for the 2022 Operation Heal Our Patriots Reunion
Meeting in Orlando for this year’s Operation Heal Our Patriots Reunion, more than 400 military couples were inspired, challenged, and encouraged by powerful speakers and workshop leaders who pointed to Christ for healing and restoration. The gathering heard from prominent Christian leaders including former Secretary of State Michael Pompeo; Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jerry Boykin; Capt.…
Franklin Graham
Newsletter March 2024
Franklin Graham Update | March Franklin Graham Update | March Marching Ordersin the Army of the Lord Dear Friend, The Operation Heal Our Patriot reunion is always a powerful testimony of how our Lord is working in the lives and marriages of wounded veterans. This year, 700 couples joined us in Aurora, Colorado— our largest reunion ever. On the first night, Pastor Greg Laurie gave…
Media
Fact Sheet: Operation Heal Our Patriot
Operation Heal Our Patriots What Operation Heal Our Patriots is a project of Samaritan's Purse designed to strengthen the marriages of wounded and injured members of the U.S. military. The project includes a weeklong wilderness retreat at Samaritan Lodge Alaska, which provides physical and spiritual renewal to wounded veterans, active-duty service members and their spouses.…
Construction Projects
Lake Clark Bible Church Construction Moves Toward Completion
Several months after breaking ground on Lake Clark Bible Church’s new worship space in Port Alsworth, Alaska, construction volunteers from across the country have made significant progress on the project. Work on the building will wrap up in time for a special dedication ceremony and the congregation’s first services in the new space this fall.…
Operation Christmas Child
Volunteer at a Drop-off Location
Volunteer at a Drop-off Location National Collection Week At nearly 5,000 locations across the nation, volunteers will welcome and pray with people who drop off Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. Other volunteers will fill cartons and load trucks with the millions of shoeboxes we prayerfully anticipate receiving. Approximately 80,000 people will serve in these roles during the…
Discipleship, Education & Training
The 2019 Operation Heal Our Patriots Summer Season Started Memorial Day Weekend
Sunday afternoon nine U.S. military couples arrived at Samaritan Lodge Alaska to be greeted on the local gravel runway by a long line of excited townspeople and staff waving American flags. One participant, Army Specialist Sean Goetz of Cedar City, Utah, said of the experience, “It’s just overwhelming—the patriotism. I’m speechless. I’m just privileged to…
Wounded Veterans and Spouses Find God’s Healing through Operation Heal Our Patriots
When Army Sergeant Joe and Brittany Gray arrived at Samaritan Lodge Alaska on Sunday, July 21, they had been separated several weeks and were on the verge of getting a divorce. In fact, the very day they got there they had originally planned to go to dinner and discuss next steps—possibly giving up on their…
Discipleship, Education & Training
Remember Me
Retired Army Sergeant First Class Ronnie Busbin and his wife Beth of Cunningham, Tennessee, participated in the first week of the Operation Heal Patriots summer season in Alaska this year. Ronnie deployed to Iraq in 2004 and Afghanistan in 2006 and 2011-12. He suffers from multiple traumatic brain injuries received while performing his duties as…
