Samaritan's Purse

{{Short description|Evangelical Christian humanitarian aid organization}}
{{Distinguish|Samaritans (charity)}}
{{Infobox organization
| name                = Samaritan's Purse
| type                = Faith-based
| image               = File:Samaritan's Purse.svg
| founded_date        = 1970
| founder             = [[Robert Pierce|Bob Pierce]]
| location            = [[Boone, North Carolina|Boone, North Carolina, USA]]
| area_served         = International
| focus               = Religious ministry and crisis relief
| method              = {{ubl|Direct aid|Program funding}}
| leader_title        = President
| leader_name         = [[Franklin Graham]]
| revenue             = $1 billion [[United States dollar|USD]]<ref name=":3" />
| homepage            = {{URL|samaritanspurse.org}}
}}

'''Samaritan's Purse''' is an [[Evangelicalism|evangelical]] [[Christian humanitarian aid]] organization that provides aid to people in physical need as a key part of its [[Christian mission]]ary work. The organization's president is [[Franklin Graham]], son of Christian evangelist [[Billy Graham]]. The name of the organization is derived from the [[New Testament]] [[Parable of the Good Samaritan]]. With international headquarters in [[Boone, North Carolina]], the organization also maintains warehouse and aviation facilities in nearby [[North Wilkesboro, North Carolina|North Wilkesboro]] and [[Greensboro, North Carolina|Greensboro]], North Carolina.

== History ==
Samaritan's Purse was founded in 1970 by Baptist pastor [[Robert Pierce]] (Bob), the founder of [[World Vision International]], in [[Boone, North Carolina|Boone]], [[North Carolina]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Battersby |first1=Paul |last2=Roy |first2=Ravi |title=International Development: A Global Perspective on Theory and Practice |publisher=SAGE Publications |date=2017}}</ref>{{rp|139}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kurian |first1=George Thomas |last2=Lamport |first2=Mark A. |title=Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States, Volume 5 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |date=2016}}</ref>{{rp|2015}}

[[Franklin Graham]] met Pierce in 1973, and they made several trips together to visit relief projects and missionary partners in Asia and elsewhere. Graham became president of Samaritan's Purse in 1979 following Pierce's death in 1978.<ref>{{cite book |last=Wuthnow |first=Robert |title=Boundless Faith: The Global Outreach of American Churches |publisher=University of California Press |date=2009}}</ref>{{rp|136}}

By 2022, Samaritan's Purse had offices in the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Hong Kong, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom; the organization provides assistance in more than 100 countries.<ref>Samaritan's Purse, [https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/samaritans-purse-overview-fact-sheet/ Samaritan’s Purse Overview Fact Sheet], samaritanspurse.org, USA, retrieved November 5, 2022</ref> It operates worldwide as Samaritan's Purse, Ippan Shadan Houjin in Japan and as the Emmanuel Group, a wholly owned aircraft title holding corporation formed in 2004.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=December 2020 |title=Financial Disclosure Report |url=https://sp-comm-arkfiles.s3.theark.cloud/website/pdfs/financials/SPConsolidFin2021-Public-Disclosure.pdf |website=Samaritan's Purse}}</ref>

== Programs ==
Samaritan's Purse includes several ongoing [[Christian ministry|ministries]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Lee |first=Haemin |title=International Development and Public Religion: Changing Dynamics of Christian Mission in South Korea |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |date=2016}}</ref>{{rp|104}}<ref>Samaritan's Purse, [https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/about-us/ About us], samaritanspurse.org, USA, retrieved November 5, 2022</ref>

* ''Disaster Relief'' responds to emergency situations.
* ''World Medical Mission'', the medical arm of Samaritan's Purse, was founded in 1977 by brothers Dr. Richard Furman and Dr. Lowell Furman to enable doctors to serve short-term assignments at overwhelmed missionary hospitals.
* ''Children's Heart Project'' provides surgery for children born with heart defects in countries where proper care is not available.
* ''Turn on the Tap'' is a campaign to provide safe drinking water in the developing world.
* ''Operation Heal Our Patriots'' provides lodging and outdoor activities in Alaska for wounded veterans and their spouses.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Haynes: Franklin Graham: Still a rebel with a cause|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/haynes-franklin-graham-still-a-rebel-with-a-cause/ar-AAPkUjT|access-date=2021-10-10|website=MSN News|language=en}}</ref>

==={{anchor|Operation Christmas Child}}Operation Christmas Child===
''Operation Christmas Child'' was created in 1990 by [[Dave J Cooke|Dave Cooke]] and his wife Gill for children in Romania.<ref>{{cite book |last=Crump |first=William |title=The Christmas Encyclopedia|edition=3d |publisher=McFarland |date=2001}}</ref>{{rp|332}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Buckley |first1=Christian |last2=Dobson |first2=Ryan |title=Humanitarian Jesus: Social Justice and the Cross |publisher=Moody Publishers |date=2010}}</ref>{{rp|149}}<ref>{{cite book |last=King |first=David P. |title=God's Internationalists: World Vision and the Age of Evangelical Humanitarianism |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |date=2019}}</ref>{{rp|254}} Each November thousands of churches, schools, groups and individual donors prepare and collect shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies, personal items, and other small gifts. A booklet of Bible stories is often distributed alongside the shoebox gifts which are given to children based on need alone, regardless of their faith. These boxes are then distributed overseas by volunteers. {{as of|April 2015}}, over 124 million boxes had been delivered.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gretawire.foxnewsinsider.com/2013/04/06/can-you-believe-it-operation-christmas-child-celebrates-tonight-for-the-100-million-shoeboxes-deliver-to-children-around-the-world-congrats-to-reverend-franklin-graham-samaritans-purse-everyone/|title=Can you believe it? Operation Christmas Child celebrates tonight for the 100 million shoeboxes delivered to poor children around the world! Congrats to Reverend Franklin Graham, Samaritan's Purse everyone who helped and helps|date=April 6, 2013|publisher=Gretawire|access-date=June 11, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612201802/http://gretawire.foxnewsinsider.com/2013/04/06/can-you-believe-it-operation-christmas-child-celebrates-tonight-for-the-100-million-shoeboxes-deliver-to-children-around-the-world-congrats-to-reverend-franklin-graham-samaritans-purse-everyone/|archive-date=June 12, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

The program uses "follow-up" evangelism<ref>{{cite web|url=http://billygraham.org/wp-content/themes/billygraham/img/financialinfo/BGEA1998AnnualReport.pdf|publisher=[[Billy Graham Evangelistic Association]]|work=Occupying Till He Returns|year=1998|title=Operation Christmas Child/Children's Evangelistic Rallies|quote=Thousands of children were touched in 1998 by Operation Christmas Child, a project that ministers to both the physical and spiritual needs of children around the world... In conjunction with the distribution of shoe box gifts, BGEA International Ministries often arranges Children's Evangelistic Rallies, which include a presentation of "The Greatest Gift of All." In this lively program, a young boy learns about God, His creation and His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. At the end of the program, children are invited to become God's friends by accepting the forgiveness He provides through His Son. Trained volunteers meet with each child who responds. Rallies took place in Romania and in hurricane-ravaged Nicaragua and Peru. Total attendance at the rallies was 245,000, with more than 42,000 inquirers.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|quote="Operation Christmas Child is one of the best evangelistic tools because it is a gift," ministry partner Victor Kulbich said. "It opens the door to telling about Jesus." |url=http://www.samaritanspurse.org/about/pdf/AR2003.pdf |title=Sharing Christ's Love Through Operation Christmas Child |work=Samaritan's Purse 2003 Ministry Report |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040510160417/http://www.samaritanspurse.org/about/pdf/AR2003.pdf |archive-date=May 10, 2004 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Discover The Greatest Journey |quote=The journey to faith begins when children are offered Gospel storybooks during Operation Christmas Child gift distributions. The most far-reaching impact comes later, when boys and girls are invited to participate in the voluntary Bible study course produced by Samaritan's Purse... The 12-lesson set guides children through a study of who Jesus Christ is, what it means to follow Him, and how to share this exciting message with others. After children complete the program, they are presented with a personalized certificate. To help these boys and girls continue to grow in their faith, we want to provide them with their very own copies of the Greatest Gift of All New Testament. This special edition also includes selected Old Testament stories, a dictionary, and a section that encourages the children to memorize Scripture. All of the materials used for The Greatest Journey are provided at the request of local churches and ministry partners. Millions of boys and girls have indicated that they have committed their lives to Jesus Christ after receiving shoe box gifts and participating in our follow-up program. By sharing their faith one-on-one, these children in turn lead friends and relatives to Jesus Christ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022191843/http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/about-the-greatest-journey/ |archive-date=October 22, 2013 |url=http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/about-the-greatest-journey/ |url-status=unfit }}</ref> with pamphlets of Bible stories that are given to families that receive the boxes,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/nov/08/evangelical-charity-schools-complaints-christmas|title=Education: Parents angry at evangelicals' charity scheme|first=Polly|last=Curtis|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=8 November 2009}}</ref> and an organizer for Operation Christmas Child says his goal every day is to "expand [God's] kingdom through Operation Christmas Child."{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}

The follow-up evangelism program of Operation Christmas Child is called "The Greatest Journey". It is a 12-week discipleship program for children who receive shoebox gifts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://pedrocarrion.com/top-10-reasons-to-pack-an-operation-christmas-child-shoebox/|title=Top 10 Reasons to Pack an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox! - Pedro Carrion|date=2016-11-18|work=Pedro Carrion|access-date=2017-12-18|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Emergency aid===
[[File: Samaritan's Purse.DC-8.N782SP.3.png|thumb|right|One of Samaritan's Purse planes used for the emergency transport of basic necessities and aid workers in [[Birmingham]], [[England]], 2019]]
The organization's medical mission in [[Liberia]], West Africa, was one of only two medical NGOs active in Liberia during the beginning of the [[Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa|2014 Ebola outbreak]]. Samaritan's Purse and SIM USA both have been actively engaged in treating the outbreak of [[Ebola]] hemorrhagic fever in Liberia. On August 1, 2014, the organization announced that it was evacuating 60 nonessential personnel from Liberia. [[Kent Brantly|Dr. Kent Brantly]], a Texas-based doctor working for the organization, was the first U.S. citizen to contract the Ebola virus in Liberia while treating the disease. He arrived in the United States on Saturday, August 2, and was treated and subsequently released after nearly three weeks in a special isolation unit of [[Emory University Hospital]] in [[Atlanta]], Georgia.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Blinder|first1=Alan|title=American Doctor With Ebola Arrives in U.S. for Treatment|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/03/us/Kent-brantley-Nancy-writebol-Ebola-treatment-atlanta.html?rref=homepage&module=Ribbon&version=origin&region=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Home%20Page&pgtype=article|access-date=August 3, 2014|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 2, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Neal|first1=Dale|title=Samaritan's Purse evacuating 60 from Ebola outbreak|url=http://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2014/08/01/samaritans-purse-evacuating-ebola-outbreak/13461471/|access-date=August 3, 2014|work=Asheville Citizen-Times|date=August 1, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=McCay|first1=Betsey|title=Peace Corps, Aid Groups Evacuate Personnel From Ebola-Hit West Africa|url=https://online.wsj.com/articles/u-s-missionary-group-plans-partial-evacuation-from-ebola-hit-liberia-1406747747|access-date=August 3, 2014|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=July 31, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Walker |first=Jade |title=Kent Brantly, American Doctor Treated For Ebola, To Be Released From U.S. Hospital |date=August 21, 2014 |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/21/kent-brantly-ebola_n_5697235.html |work=[[HuffPost]] |publisher=TheHuffingtonPost.com |access-date=August 21, 2014}}</ref> The organization recorded their mission in Liberia in the documentary ''Facing Darkness''. Samaritan's Purse has a fleet of 21 planes and 2 helicopters for the emergency transport of basic necessities and aid workers.<ref>David Cenciotti, [https://theaviationist.com/2020/03/18/rare-samaritans-purse-dc-8-cargo-aircraft-airlifts-an-emergency-field-hospital-to-italy-for-covid-19-pandemic/ Rare Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 Cargo Aircraft Airlifts An Emergency Field Hospital to Italy For COVID-19 Pandemic], theaviationist.com, USA, March 18, 2020</ref>

=== Ukraine aid ===
The organization stepped efforts to aid Ukraine in the midst of the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian-Ukrainian conflict]] in 2022. The organization donated various supplies especially for the youth in schools such as medication, food, supplies, blankets, tarps, and bags. The donations were made through various methods of transportation such as semi trucks being loaded with roughly 80,000 donation goods, being transferred at Piedmont Triad International Airport on the DC-8 airplane, and then being air lifted to Poland where the goods are transported across the border to Ukraine. The organization accomplished its 30th airlift donation in the month of September having started in February, equating to roughly 4 airlifts per month. It is estimated that 5.5 million Ukrainians were aided due to the efforts with food, water, and supplies. Furthermore, the organization provided roughly 30 emergency field support hospitals in Lviv with the result of aiding nearly 18,000 patients.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shimron |first=Yonat |last2=Smietana |first2=Bob |date=September 9, 2022 |title=Purse became a $1 billion humanitarian aid powerhouse |work=Religious News Service |url=https://religionnews.com/2022/09/09/franklin-graham-samaritans-purse-shoeboxes-humanitarian-aid-powerhouse/ |access-date=September 10, 2022}}</ref>

== Financials ==
The organization's 2021 financial statement listed just $758 million in cash donations and another $245 million in donated goods and services. 85% of its $676 million in expenses went ministry expenses with the largest share (42%) going to their Operation Christmas Child project and 17% to emergency relief and 7% to its medical missions. Most expenses come from direct costs in delivering emergency and medical relief and Operation Christmas Child (57%) along with staff salaries and other employment expenses (20%).<ref name=":3" />

The organization has received a 4 star rating (out of 4 stars) from the monitoring organization [[Charity Navigator]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4423 |title=Charity Navigator Rating - Samaritan's Purse |publisher=Charitynavigator.org |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref>

In 2020, Samaritan's Purse declined federal funding from the [[Trump administration]] originally withheld from the World Health Organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/franklin-graham-no-interest-federal-161947317.html|title=Franklin Graham: No interest in federal money meant for WHO|access-date=2020-05-09|website=Yahoo! News|language=en}}</ref>

== Facilities and fleets ==
[[File:Samaritan's Purse hangar.png|thumb|Samaritan's Purse facilities at the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina]]
[[File:Samaritan's Purse facilities.png|thumb|Samaritan's Purse facilities include maintenance, cargo loading facilities, and fuel storage]]
Based in Boone, North Carolina, the organization also maintains warehouse and administrative facilities in [[North Wilkesboro, North Carolina]] including a {{Convert|202000|sqft}} former bottling plant and newly constructed {{Convert|47,000|sqft}} facility where its 5 custom tractor trailers used for distributing relief supplies are staged.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oakes |first=Anna |title=Samaritan's Purse expands at Wilkes airport |url=https://www.wataugademocrat.com/news/samaritans-purse-expands-at-wilkes-airport/article_1a22593e-7812-5eb9-846d-eb3a99c916a8.html |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=Watauga Democrat |language=en}}</ref>

The organization also operates a fleet of 23 passenger, cargo, and executive aircraft positioned around the world, registered in the organizations name and to the Emmanuel Group, a holding company.

Operations focused at their maintenance facilities at the [[Piedmont Triad International Airport]], along with additional hangar facilities at the [[Wilkes County Airport]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aircraft Inquiry |url=https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=registry.faa.gov}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> A $1.5 million taxiway was built by the State of North Carolina 2019 to serve the organization's second hangar at that airport under construction at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hubbard |first=Jule |title=$1.5 million okayed for new taxiway |url=https://www.journalpatriot.com/news/1-5-million-okayed-for-new-taxiway/article_f91ab040-ce4b-11e9-8b77-43daf834bacd.html |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=journalpatriot |language=en}}</ref> Aircraft serve humanitarian relief missions as well as executive transportation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hubbard |first=Jule |title=Samaritan growing at airport |url=https://www.journalpatriot.com/news/samaritan-growing-at-airport/article_01494c84-23f8-11e0-80de-0017a4a78c22.html |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=journalpatriot |language=en}}</ref>

* [[Douglas DC-8|Douglas DC-8-72-CF]]: configured to support up to 32 passengers and 10 cargo pallets. The aircraft was built in 1968 and began service for [[Finnair]], then by the [[French Air Force]] beginning in 1985, then by charter airline Air Transport International before being registered to Samaritan's Purse in 2015. The aircraft recently flew missions an average of once per month.<ref>{{Cite web |title=N782SP Samaritan's Purse Douglas DC-8-60/70 |url=https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/douglas-dc-8-60-70-n782sp-samaritans-purse/elz191 |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=www.planespotters.net |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Aircraft Inquiry |url=https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N782SP |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=registry.faa.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Fact Sheet: DC-8 |url=https://www.samaritanspurse.org/media/fact-sheet-dc8/ |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=Samaritan's Purse |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Douglas DC-3]] registered N467SP in 2010, based in Kenya.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Aircraft Hangar Dedicated in Kenya |url=https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/new-aircraft-hangar-dedicated-in-kenya/ |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=Samaritan's Purse |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Boeing 757|Boeing 757-200]], configured as a freighter. Built in 1985, began service as a passenger aircraft with Eastern Airlines then several British and Icelandic airlines. Converter to a freighter in 2006 where it flew for DHL and other airlines before being registered as N783SP in 2022.
* [[Beechcraft Super King Air|Beech Super King B200 turboprop]] registered as N874SP in 2010.
* [[Beechcraft Super King Air|Beech Super King B300 turboprop]] registered as N841KA in 2020
* Two [[CASA C-212|CASA 212-CC]] cargo aircraft designed for take off and landing from short runways. Registered as N831SP and N499SP in 2010.
* Five [[Cessna 208 Caravan|Cessna 208]] nine passenger aircraft
* [[Cessna 172|A Cessna 172 Skyhawk]] and a [[Cessna 182 Skylane|Cessna 182E Skylane]] 2 seat aircraft.
* [[Cessna 185 Skywagon|Cessna A185F]] six seat aircraft originally designed for agricultural use.
* One [[de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter]] and two [[Quest Kodiak|Quest Kodiak 100 turboprop]] bush planes for transportation around Alaska including to the organization's retreat in [[Port Alsworth, Alaska|Port Alsworth]], Alaska <ref>{{Cite web |title=Samaritan's Purse in Alaska |url=https://video.samaritanspurse.org/samaritans-purse-in-alaska/ |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=Samaritan's Purse Video}}</ref>
* [[Bell 206|Bell 206-L4]] helicopter registered to Samaritan's Purse in 2016 as N146SP.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aircraft Inquiry |url=https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N146SP |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=registry.faa.gov}}</ref>
* [[Gulfstream G550]] 19 passenger executive aircraft, registered as N521GV to Emmanuel Group.
* [[Dassault Falcon 50]] 9 passenger executive aircraft, registered as  N50FJ to Emmanuel Group.
* [[Dassault Falcon 900|Dassault Falcon 900EX]] 13 passenger executive aircraft, registered as N900FJ to Emmanuel Group.

Previous aircraft include a [[Mitsubishi MU-2|Mitsubishi MU 2]] purchased in the mid-1990s and a [[Learjet 45]] bought in 2020 and sold in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=N740KD (LEARJET INC 45 owned by ELIJAH G6 LLC) Aircraft Registration |url=http://flightaware.com/resources/registration/N740KD |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=FlightAware |language=en}}</ref>

The organization donated two Beechcraft King Air B200 aircraft in 2011 to a similar Micronesia-based organization.<ref>{{Cite web |title=12ft {{!}} |url=https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https://www.ashepostandtimes.com/news/samaritans-purse-donates-planes-to-pacific-mission-aviation/article_1e4af8b7-ac0a-533f-80ac-001f2b2b25e4.html |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=12ft.io}}</ref>

== Controversy ==

The organization has been criticized for requiring volunteers to sign a controversial Statement of Faith which disavows [[homosexuality]] and [[same-sex marriage]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Pallini |first=Thomas |title=The controversial charity setting up hospital tents in NYC uses a 51-year-old plane to transport COVID-19 supplies. Take a closer look at its DC-8. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/samaritans-purse-douglas-dc-8-humanitarian-aid-covid-19-photos-2020-4 |access-date=2022-06-04 |website=[[Business Insider]] |language=en-US}}</ref> The organization's board of directors, which includes his son, has also been criticized for the $661,000 yearly salary paid to Graham, which is 40–50% more than similar non-profit organizations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charity Navigator - Rating for Samaritan's Purse |url=https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/581437002 |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=www.charitynavigator.org |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=Christine |last=Wicker |date=2015-08-18 |title=Why Franklin Graham's salary raises eyebrows among Christian nonprofits |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/why-franklin-grahams-salary-raises-eyebrows-among-christian-nonprofits/2015/08/18/023ce940-45f2-11e5-9f53-d1e3ddfd0cda_story.html |access-date=2022-06-05 |issn=0190-8286 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211209203053/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/why-franklin-grahams-salary-raises-eyebrows-among-christian-nonprofits/2015/08/18/023ce940-45f2-11e5-9f53-d1e3ddfd0cda_story.html |archive-date=9 December 2021}}</ref>

In March 2001, ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that Samaritan's Purse had "blurred the line between church and state" in the way it had distributed publicly funded aid to victims of the [[January 2001 El Salvador earthquake|January 2001]] and [[February 2001 El Salvador earthquake|February 2001]] El Salvador earthquakes. Residents from several villages stated they first had to sit through a half-hour prayer meeting before receiving assistance.<ref>{{Citation | title = U.S. Aids Conversion-Minded Quake Relief in El Salvador | newspaper = [[The New York Times]] | date = March 8, 2001 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/05/world/05SALV.html?pagewanted=1 | access-date =February 28, 2010 | first=David | last=Gonzalez }}</ref> In a statement, [[USAID]] said Samaritan's Purse had not violated federal guidelines, but emphasized the need for the organization to "maintain adequate and sufficient separation" between prayer sessions and publicly funded activities.<ref>{{Citation | last = Gonzalez | first = David | title = U.S. Cautions Group on Mixing Religion and Salvador Quake Aid | newspaper =[[The New York Times]] | date = March 5, 2001 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/08/world/us-cautions-group-on-mixing-religion-and-salvador-quake-aid.html?pagewanted=1 | access-date =February 28, 2010}}</ref>

In 2003, Islamic leaders criticized Samaritan's Purse within the United Kingdom after its president, Franklin Graham, called [[Islam]] a "very evil and wicked religion",<ref>{{Cite web | last = Goodstein | first = Laurie | title = Top Evangelicals Critical Of Colleagues Over Islam | newspaper =[[The New York Times]] | date = May 8, 2003 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/08/us/top-evangelicals-critical-of-colleagues-over-islam.html | access-date =February 28, 2010}}</ref><ref name="guardian">{{Cite web | last = Muir | first = Hugh | title = Co-op cuts Christmas box link with US charity | newspaper = [[The Guardian]] | date = November 29, 2003 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/religion/Story/0,,1095809,00.html | access-date =February 28, 2010 | location=London}}</ref> leading to opposition campaigns by the Islamic leaders.<ref>{{Cite web | last = icWales | title = Red-faced MP dumps Islam-bashing charity | date = November 5, 2006 | url =http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/newspolitics/tm_headline=red-faced-mp-dumps-islam-bashing-charity&method=full&objectid=18048575&siteid=50082-name_page.html  | access-date =February 28, 2010}}</ref> Samaritan's Purse responded to accusations of being anti-Islamic by highlighting their long history of non-denominational co-operation and charity work in Baghdad without attempting to preach or proselytize.<ref>{{Cite web | last = Vardy | first = David | title = Being good Samaritans | newspaper =[[TheGuardian.com|Guardian Unlimited]] | date = November 18, 2003 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/letters/story/0,,1087438,00.html | access-date =February 28, 2010 | location=London}}</ref>

The Operation Christmas Child project has been criticized in several countries, most notably in the UK,<ref>{{Cite web | last = McCurry | first = Patrick | title = Presents imperfect | newspaper =[[The Guardian]] | date = December 18, 2002 | url = http://society.guardian.co.uk/societyguardian/story/0,,861580,00.html | access-date = August 29, 2017 | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | last = McGreal | first = Chris | title = Sarah Palin visits crisis-hit Haiti | newspaper =[[The Guardian]] | date = December 12, 2010 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/12/sarah-palin-haiti-visit | location=London}}</ref> but also in Ireland,<ref>{{Cite web | last = Healy | first = Alison | title = Christmas aid group rejects criticism | newspaper = [[The Irish Times]] | date = October 2009 | url = http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/1008/1224256169304.html}}</ref> India<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/uncle-sam-may-be-indirectly-funding-religious-conversion-in-india-2176175.html|title=Uncle Sam may be indirectly funding religious conversion in India|work=Firstpost|date=27 March 2015}}</ref> and Canada.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parents want Christian charity out of public schools |date=November 25, 2002 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2002/11/25/xmas_charity021125.html |publisher=[[CBC.ca]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416172910/http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2002/11/25/xmas_charity021125.html |archive-date=April 16, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>{{By whom|date=April 2020}}{{Clarify|reason=|date=April 2020}} In the United States, Ibrahim Hooper of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has stated that such religion-and-relief groups are "using their position of power to try to persuade people to leave their faith."<ref>{{Cite web | last = Grossman | first = Lynn | title = Billy Graham's son takes the pulpit, his own way | newspaper = [[USA Today]] | date = March 2006 | url = https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-03-07-franklin-graham-cover_x.htm | access-date = August 29, 2017}}</ref> In 2003, The British supermarket chain [[The Co-operative Group|Co-op]] and [[South Wales Fire and Rescue Service|South Wales Fire Service]] both suspended their support for the project after numerous complaints about its religious connections.<ref name="guardian" /><ref name=bbcshoe /> Samaritan's Purse responded by stating that Christian literature was only handed out where its staff "deemed it appropriate".<ref name=bbcshoe>{{Cite web | last =[[BBC]] | title = Shoe box charity in religious row | date = October 23, 2003 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/3205495.stm | access-date = August 29, 2017 | publisher = [[BBC News Online]]}}</ref>

Franklin Graham drew scrutiny in 2009 for drawing a full-time salary from Samaritan's Purse, while at the same time receiving a full-time salary from [[Billy Graham Evangelistic Association]] (BGEA). This was called into question after his 2008 compensation from both organizations totaled $1.2 million.  (Most of this was the result of a new IRS rule that required him to re-report deferred retirement contributions that had already been reported over the previous three years.<ref>{{cite web|agency=Associated Press, File |url=http://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2009/10/franklin_graham_moves_to_addre.html |title=Franklin Graham moves to address concerns about his $1.2 million pay packages |date=8 October 2009 |publisher=cleveland.com |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref>)  Some experts on non-profits have questioned whether one person can perform two full-time jobs leading organizations that employ hundreds and spend hundreds of millions around the world.<ref>{{Citation|first1=Tim |last1=Funk |first2=Ames |last2=Alexander |title=Franklin Graham's CEO pay draws experts' criticism |newspaper=[[Charlotte Observer]] |date=October 2009 |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2009/10/07/990049/franklin-grahams-ceo-pay-draws.html |access-date =March 1, 2010 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In response to the questions about his compensation, Graham decided to give up his salary from BGEA, stating his calling to the ministry "was never based on compensation." He also had contributions to his retirement plans suspended until the economy bounced back.<ref>{{cite web |last=Funk |first=Tim |url=http://www.newsobserver.com/2009/10/11/135787/franklin-graham-gives-up-one-of.html |title=CHARLOTTE: Franklin Graham gives up one of two nonprofit salaries &#124; Religion |publisher=[[News & Observer]] |access-date=August 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413133024/http://www.newsobserver.com/2009/10/11/135787/franklin-graham-gives-up-one-of.html |archive-date=April 13, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> However, Graham was again criticized in 2015 when it was revealed he had again taken up his salary from BGEA, and that his annual compensation was significantly higher than that of the CEO's of similar but much larger non-profit organisations.<ref>{{cite web|author=Tim Funk, Ames Alexander |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/religion/article30505932.html |title=Franklin Graham takes pay he once gave up |publisher=The Charlotte Observer |date=August 8, 2015 |access-date=August 31, 2015}}</ref>

In 2010, an American woman and two Sudanese men were kidnapped while working for Samaritan's Purse in [[Sudan]]. The two men were released promptly, but the woman was held for three months. Upon her return to the US, she sued Samaritan's Purse and their security contractor, Clayton Consultants, a hostage negotiation consultancy owned by [[Triple Canopy]], accusing the organization "of failing to train its security personnel adequately and of willfully ignoring warning signs that abductions were a threat to foreigners." The organization settled out of court in March 2012.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-newyork-kidnap-idUSTRE74I70A20110519 | work=[[Reuters]] | title=Darfur kidnapping victim sues aid group that sent her | date=May 19, 2011 |access-date=August 29, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Rix|first1=Matt|title=Perspectives: Standard of care rising for employees in threat elevated areas|url=http://www.businessinsurance.com/article/99999999/NEWS050108/130129797?tags=%7C333%7C69%7C70%7C71%7C339%7C83%7C84%7C88%7C92#|website=businessinsurance.com|publisher=Business Insurance|access-date=August 4, 2014 |date=January 29, 2013}}</ref>

In May 2013 Franklin Graham wrote a letter to President Obama stating his concern that the [[IRS]] targeted Samaritan's Purse prior to the [[2012 United States presidential election]] with a partisan audit.<ref>{{cite web|author=John Boyle |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/16/franklin-graham-nonprofits-irs-audits/2165647/ |title=Graham says IRS targeted his non-profits with audits |publisher=[[USA Today]] |date=May 16, 2013 |access-date=August 10, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Franklin Graham |url=http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2013/05/politics/irs-graham-letter/ |title=Document: Graham writes Obama about IRS profiling |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=May 14, 2013 |access-date=August 17, 2021}}</ref>

In August 2013, [[Thankyou (company)|Thankyou Group]] announced that it would no longer support Samaritan's Purse because it is not a signatory to the code of conduct run by the [[Australian Council for International Development]], which bans aid as a vehicle for promoting religion or political groups.<ref name=tsmh>{{cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/fundraiser-thankyou-water-drops-support-for-evangelical-group-20130820-2s987.html |title=Fund-raiser Thankyou Water drops support for evangelical group |last1=Battersby |first1=Lucy |date=20 August 2013 |publisher=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |access-date=16 November 2017}}</ref>

In October 2014, Samaritan's Purse threatened legal action in the UK against the posters of online comments on the discussion forum [[Mumsnet]]. The resultant letters prompted one of the busiest discussions on the site's "Am I being Unreasonable&nbsp;?" forum.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Legal News |page=13 |newspaper=Private Eye |location=London |date=October 17, 2014}}</ref>

== Response to the COVID-19 outbreak ==
=== Italy ===
On March 17, 2020, Samaritan's Purse dispatched over 60 disaster response specialists, 20 tons of medical equipment and a field hospital to [[Cremona]], [[Italy]] which started operations on March 20, 2020.<ref name="USATODAY1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/03/31/coronavirus-central-park-hospital-treat-new-york-city-patients/5094590002/|title=An emergency field hospital to treat COVID-19 patients is opening in NYC's Central Park|last=Reyes|first=Lorenzo|website=[[USA Today]]|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/health/samaritans-purse-central-park-field-hospital-takes-in-first-patient-in-coronavirus-fight|title=Samaritan's Purse Central Park field hospital takes in first patient in coronavirus fight|last=Rambaran|first=Vandana|website=[[Fox News]]|date=April 1, 2020|access-date=2020-04-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/corbella-canadians-helping-in-the-centre-of-italys-covid-19-storm/|title=Corbella: Canadians helping in the centre of Italy's COVID-19 storm|last=Corbella|first=Licia|website=Calgary Herald|date=March 26, 2020|access-date=2020-04-11}}</ref><ref name="Independent1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/coronavirus-new-york-field-hospital-central-park-gay-right-arrest-christian-a9451366.html|title=Coronavirus: Gay-rights activist arrested protesting at New York field hospital run by controversial Christian group|last=Vallejo|first=Justin|website=[[The Independent]]|date=April 6, 2020|access-date=2020-04-11}}</ref>

=== Alaska ===
Samaritans' Purse airlifted 8 tons of medical supplies to [[Alaska]] on April 7, 2020, to help provide supplies to remote communities.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Samaritan's Purse jet lands in Alaska with massive shipment of medical gear for coronavirus response|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/samaritans-purse-jet-alaska-massive-shipment-medical-gear-coronavirus|last1=Rulz|first1=Michael|date=April 7, 2020|work=[[Fox News]]|access-date=April 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Samaritan's Purse donates over 17,000 pounds of medical supplies to Alaska|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/samaritans-purse-donates-over-17000-pounds-of-medical-supplies-to-alaska/ar-BB12hNFD|last1=Leseman|first1=Matt|date=April 8, 2020|work=Microsoft News|access-date=April 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Governor Dunleavy Thanks Samaritan's Purse for Medical Supplies|url=https://gov.alaska.gov/newsroom/2020/04/06/governor-dunleavy-thanks-samaritans-purse-for-medical-supplies/|date=April 6, 2020|access-date=April 11, 2020}}</ref>

=== New York ===
In cooperation with [[New York City|New York City's]] [[Mount Sinai Hospital (Manhattan)|Mount Sinai Hospital]], Samaritan's Purse constructed a 14 tent, 68-bed [[field hospital]] in [[Central Park]] on March 29, 2020, to increase Mount Sinai's surge capacity.<ref name="USATODAY1" /><ref name="BUSINESSINSIDER1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/central-park-field-hospital-org-samaritans-purse-were-at-war-2020-4|title=What it's like inside the Central Park field hospital in New York City: 'Our country is in a war'|first1=Anna|last1=Miller|work=[[Business Insider]]|date=April 9, 2020|access-date=April 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mountsinai.org/about/newsroom/2020/samaritans-purse-in-collaboration-with-mount-sinai-health-system-opens-emergency-field-hospital-in-new-yorks-central-park-in-response-to-the-coronavirus-pandemic-pr|title=Samaritan's Purse, in Collaboration with Mount Sinai Health System, Opens Emergency Field Hospital in New York's Central Park in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic|website=Mount Sinai Hospital|date=April 1, 2020|access-date=2020-04-11}}</ref> Through April, over 190 people were treated there. By early May, all patients had been discharged, and there were plans to dismantle the tents.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last1=Stack|first1=Liam|last2=Fink|first2=Sheri|date=2020-05-10|title=Franklin Graham Is Taking Down His N.Y. Hospital, but Not Going Quietly|language=en-US|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/10/nyregion/franklin-graham-samaritans-purse-central-park-hospital-tent-coronavirus.html|access-date=2020-05-10|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==== Criticism ====
Before the field hospital opened, journalists, politicians and LGBTQ activists raised concerns that it was only recruiting Christian medical staff and that it would provide inadequate and discriminatory care.<ref name="Independent1" /><ref name="Independent2">{{Cite web|title=Coronavirus: Radical evangelist who says gays will burn in 'flames of hell' builds Covid-19 hospital in Central Park|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/coronavirus-hospital-central-park-franklin-graham-anti-gay-christian-volunteers-a9441376.html|last1=Riota|first1=Chris|date=April 1, 2020|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=April 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=New Yorkers Are Right to Be Skeptical of Evangelical-Run Coronavirus Ward in Central Park|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/new-yorkers-are-right-to-be-skeptical-of-samaritans-purses-evangelical-coronavirus-ward-in-central-park|last1=Merritt|first1=Jonathan|date=April 2, 2020|work=[[The Daily Beast]]|access-date=April 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The group building tents for coronavirus treatment in Central Park says its medical staff must adhere to Christian beliefs, sparking condemnation online|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/evangelical-christian-coronavirus-tents-central-park-new-york-samaritan-purse-2020-3|last1=Greenspan|first1=Rachel|date=March 31, 2020|work=[[Business Insider]]|access-date=April 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bias and health care don't mix: Samaritan's Purse shouldn't be welcome in New York, not even to treat the coronavirus|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-bias-and-health-care-20200407-bfmargg475fqlnjmcvxekrj3hm-story.html|last1=McGovern|first1=Terry|last2=Battistini|first2=Emily|date=April 7, 2020|work=[[New York Daily News]]|access-date=April 11, 2020}}</ref><ref name="NYDailyNews1">{{Cite web|title=Be a good Samaritan: N.Y. lawmaker calls out minister for anti-LGBTQ remarks|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-coronavirus-brad-hoylman-franklin-graham-good-samaritan-20200330-77lvp2btgzcr7inmrdswuijvda-story.html|last1=McGovern|first1=Terry|last2=Slattery|first2=Denis|date=March 30, 2020|work=[[New York Daily News]]|access-date=April 11, 2020}}</ref> According to ''[[NBC News]]'' and ''[[Gothamist]]'', volunteers are required to adhere to a [[Creed|statement of faith]], agreeing to a [[definition of marriage]] as "exclusively the union of one genetic male and one genetic female" and acknowledging that "[God] will banish the unrighteous to everlasting punishment in hell."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Offenhartz|first=Jake|date=2020-03-30|title=Group Behind Central Park Coronavirus Tent Hospital Asks Volunteers To Support Anti-Gay Agenda|url=https://gothamist.com/news/samaritans-purse-franklin-graham-anti-gay-evangelical-central-park|access-date=2020-03-31|website=[[Gothamist]]|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":02">{{Cite web|title=Group behind NYC's COVID-19 field hospital run by antigay evangelist|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/group-behind-central-park-s-covid-19-field-hospital-run-n1173396|access-date=2020-04-01|website=[[NBC News]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=staff/jake-offenhartz|date=2020-03-31|title=De Blasio "Very Concerned" About Anti-Gay Evangelical Group Running Central Park Coronavirus Hospital|url=https://gothamist.com/news/de-blasio-samaritans-purse-central-park-coronavirus-hospital|access-date=2020-04-01|website=[[Gothamist]]|language=en}}</ref> New York Mayor [[Bill de Blasio]] stated that the presence of Samaritan's Purse was "very troubling," while New York State Senator [[Brad Hoylman]] told ''NBC News'' that he considered it "a shame that the federal government has left us in the position of having to accept charity from such bigots".<ref name="Independent2" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Protester Arrested At Central Park Tent Hospital Tied To Anti-Gay Evangelical Franklin Graham|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/protester-arrest-samaritans-purse-franklin-graham_n_5e8bde49c5b6e1a2e0f8bc88?ri18n=true|last1=Papenfuss|first1=Mary|date=April 7, 2020|work=[[HuffPost]]|access-date=April 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Catholic group slams de Blasio for questioning Christian charity's New York coronavirus field hospital|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/catholic-group-slams-de-blasio-questioning-new-york-coronavirus-field-hospital|last1=Chakraborty|first1=Barnini|date=April 3, 2020|work=[[Fox News]]|access-date=April 11, 2020}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/group-behind-central-park-s-covid-19-field-hospital-run-n1173396|title=Group behind NYC's COVID-19 field hospital run by antigay evangelist|website=[[NBC News]]|language=en|access-date=2020-04-01}}</ref> Franklin Graham later responded to Hoylman's request for public reassurance by stating: "We do not make distinctions about an individual's religion, race, sexual orientation, or economic status. We certainly do not discriminate, and we have a decades-long track record that confirms just that."<ref name="USATODAY1" /><ref name="NYDailyNews1" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Protester arrested at NYC COVID-19 field hospital run by anti-gay evangelist|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/protester-arrested-n-y-c-covid-19-field-hospital-run-n1177546|last1=Sopelsa|first1=Brooke|date=April 6, 2020|work=[[NBC News]]|access-date=April 11, 2020}}</ref> New York City's Commission on Human Rights closed an investigation into the hospital after finding no evidence it had discriminated against patients.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Stack|first1=Liam|last2=Fink|first2=Sheri|date=May 10, 2020|title=Franklin Graham Is Taking Down His N.Y. Hospital, but Not Going Quietly|language=en-US|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/10/nyregion/franklin-graham-samaritans-purse-central-park-hospital-tent-coronavirus.html|access-date=May 10, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The group's departure was hailed as a victory by LGBTQ rights activists.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Yensi|first=Amy|date=May 3, 2020|title=LGBTQ Advocates Hold Protest as Samaritan's Purse Winds Down Coronavirus Outreach|language=en-US|work=[[NY1]]|url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2020/05/03/lgbtq-advocates-hold-protest-as-samaritan-s-purse-winds-down-coronavirus-outreach}}</ref> Volunteers are required to adhere to a [[Creed|statement of faith]], agreeing to a [[definition of marriage]] as "exclusively the union of one genetic male and one genetic female" and acknowledging that "[God] will banish the unrighteous to everlasting punishment in hell."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gothamist.com/news/samaritans-purse-franklin-graham-anti-gay-evangelical-central-park|title=Group Behind Central Park Coronavirus Tent Hospital Asks Volunteers To Support Anti-Gay Agenda|last=Offenhartz|first=Jake|date=2020-03-30|website=[[Gothamist]]|language=en|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref><ref name=":0"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gothamist.com/news/de-blasio-samaritans-purse-central-park-coronavirus-hospital|title=De Blasio "Very Concerned" About Anti-Gay Evangelical Group Running Central Park Coronavirus Hospital|last=staff/jake-offenhartz|date=2020-03-31|website=[[Gothamist]]|language=en|access-date=2020-04-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Matthew |title=Fact check: Does Christian aid group require COVID-19 responders to sign anti-LGBTQ statement? |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/04/06/fact-check-covid-19-responders-required-sign-anti-lgbtq-statement/2955105001/ |access-date=10 March 2022 |work=[[USA Today]]}}</ref>

Joint plans between Mount Sinai Hospital, Samaritan's Purse and the [[Episcopal Diocese of New York]] to convert the [[Cathedral of St. John the Divine]] into a 200-bed hospital were shelved on April 9, 2020. Although this decision was attributed at least in part to the assessment that virus-related hospitalizations had already plateaued,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Coronavirus: New York cathedral to become a field hospital|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/coronavirus-new-york-cathedral-st-john-church-field-hospital-a9453606.html|last1=Bailey|first1=Sarah|date=April 7, 2020|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=April 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Plan for Cathedral Hospital Stalls Amid Concern Over Evangelical Role|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/09/nyregion/st-john-the-divine-franklin-graham.html|last1=Stack|first1=Liam|date=April 9, 2020|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=April 11, 2020}}</ref> Bishop [[Andrew M. L. Dietsche|Andrew M.L. Dietsche]] of the Episcopal Diocese of New York later said that Graham's "exclusionary" and "narrow" attitude about Christianity was central to the decision. Specifically, the Samaritan's Purse requires its employees and volunteers to oppose gay marriage, which, in Dietsche's words, was incompatible with the work the New York Diocese had done "around the full inclusion of gay and lesbian people."<ref name=":1" />

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Samaritan's Purse}}
* {{official website}}

{{Portal|Evangelical Christianity|}}
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