Samaritans Purse

[pocadots1990]

My church wants to support Samaritans Purse with Franklin Graham every year and I am not a big supporter of this. There is just something that does not sit well with me about this ministry.

What is your opinion about this ministry?

 

[tank1976]

As far as I know , read, understand... it is a worthy cause.

My church supports it. Every church I've been a part of has supported it.

Of course, I do believe we can not just focus on the world and forget your own "backyard." The flip side is we cannot foucus only on our own "backyard" and forget the world.

There has to be a balance.

I would suggest praying about this . Ask God to lead you to ministries to support. Start with your local church and then go from there.

I pray God guides you in this .raying:

 

[rbell]

I think it's an excellent ministry.

 

[SaggyWoman]

I personally think it is an excellent ministry as well.

I live near Charlotte, where they have one of their warehouses that sort through the shoe boxes at Christmas. In November and December, the place is bustling with people helping out during the season, either volunteering or getting paid.

One season, I needed a job, and worked there in the data entry for pay. It still overwhelms me how I was ministered to. Even though I was not "receiving a shoe box", my box was full.

 

[jilphn1022]

Thanks for sharing your testimony!

I personally think it is an excellent ministry as well.

I live near Charlotte, where they have one of their warehouses that sort through the shoe boxes at Christmas. In November and December, the place is bustling with people helping out during the season, either volunteering or getting paid.

One season, I needed a job, and worked there in the data entry for pay. It still overwhelms me how I was ministered to. Even though I was not "receiving a shoe box", my box was full.

We agree with you that Samaritan Purse is a great ministry.Enjoyed reading your post how you were personally involved in this work of the Lord.

 

[tinytim]

Yes, we do the operation Christmas child thing every yr. It is a worthy cause.
As a matter of fact my 16 yr old son this yr was in charge of it at our church.. and he did a wonderful job..

What is it that makes you uneasy?

 

[bobbyd]

We've done the shoe boxes here for the last 2 years and have been blessed by working with Samaritan's Purse.
I'm not sure why you would be uneasy either. Franklin Graham is an unashamed spokesman for the Gospel and is not afraid to speak the truth of God's word when given the opportunity...even when it won't make him popular in the world's eyes.

 

[pocadots1990]

Yes, we do the operation Christmas child thing every yr. It is a worthy cause.
As a matter of fact my 16 yr old son this yr was in charge of it at our church.. and he did a wonderful job..

What is it that makes you uneasy?

I guess what makes me uneasy about this is (from what I understand), it seems more about meeting the physical needs of kids and spiritual. I am not trying to sound cruel to these kids at all. I am sure they need this stuff. But is it more important to give them the stuff in the box or Christ.

I see in scripture how Christ met physical needs of people (healing, feeding of the 5000 and 4000, etc) but the most important thing was meeting the spiritual needs of the kids.

Maybe my opinion is wrong about this whole thing, and I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill out of this thing.

 

[SaggyWoman]

I guess what makes me uneasy about this is (from what I understand), it seems more about meeting the physical needs of kids and spiritual. I am not trying to sound cruel to these kids at all. I am sure they need this stuff. But is it more important to give them the stuff in the box or Christ.

I see in scripture how Christ met physical needs of people (healing, feeding of the 5000 and 4000, etc) but the most important thing was meeting the spiritual needs of the kids.

Maybe my opinion is wrong about this whole thing, and I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill out of this thing.

What is wrong with meeting some of their physical needs? These "minute" gifts are nothing in the big scheme of things--the children often need the socks and gloves that people put in there. Plus, Samaritan's purse puts in Bibles and curriculum that can disciple, and the children can sign up for a discipleship program for free. AND i know it helps missionaries out.

 

[bobbyd]

The kids do receive more than just toys, tooth brushes and soap...Samaritan's Purse does provide them with Bible lessons also: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/OCC_Impact.asp