More than 700 partners, supporters, special guests and staff gathered Friday (June 9), along with International President Franklin Graham, in Calgary to recognize the 50th anniversary of Samaritan’s Purse Canada.

Since the Canadian office opened in 1973, Samaritan’s Purse has met the needs of Canadians and others who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ.

It has carried out that mission by responding to disasters in nearly every province and territory, including the 2013 southern Alberta floods, the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, and the 2022 hurricane that affected thousands of people in Prince Edward Island.

Tens of thousands of volunteers made those disaster responses possible, as well as Operation Christmas Child, the Samaritan’s Purse program that sends gift-filled shoeboxes to children in need around the world. At the celebration, their generosity and commitment were honoured by Franklin Graham and Samaritan’s Purse Canada Executive Director Fred Weiss,

“Continue to pray for us that we would be faithful to lift up the name of Jesus Christ in everything we do, in every situation,” Franklin said.

Sam's purse anniversary picPhoto: Submitted by Frank King/Samaritan’s Purse

Samaritan’s Purse Canada, in partnership with churches and other Samaritan’s Purse offices around the world, has also offered physical and spiritual relief after many international disasters, including massive earthquakes in Haiti (2010), Nepal (2015), and Turkey (2023); the 2011 Japanese tsunami; ebola outbreaks in West Africa; and the COVID-19 crisis in Cremona, Italy.

Most recently, the organization has been helping hundreds of thousands of Ukraine war refugees almost since the conflict began in 2022. This includes providing emergency aid to thousands of people who were flooded out when the Kakhovka dam, in southern Ukraine, was severely damaged last week. The Ukraine conflict is one of the largest international responses Samaritan’s Purse Canada has ever been involved with and is expected to continue for many months to come.

“The Lord is resourcing us. He’s bringing us people and expertise,” said Fred Weiss. “We have favour in places we didn’t have 50 years ago, so it’s like the Lord is opening doors for us to continue to grow our impact for the Gospel.”

Please visit SamaritansPurse.ca for more information on our work in Canada and around the world.