This week in Christian history: Samaritan’s Purse founded, Swaggart admits sin, Eric Liddell dies

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, February 21, 2021

Samaritan's Purse founded – February 25, 1970

Samaritan's Purse field hospital in New York City, April 2020 | Samaritan's Purse

This week marks the anniversary of the evangelical humanitarian organization Samaritan’s Purse being founded by Baptist minister Bob Pierce.

An evangelist who traveled throughout Asia on behalf of the organization Youth for Christ, Pierce was reportedly inspired to found the charity when he encountered a group of Christian women caring for lepers and orphans.

“Through their selfless love, God gave Pierce a vision for ministry," explained the Samaritan’s Purse website. "He dedicated himself to finding and supporting other such Christians who were caring for the poor and suffering in the distant corners of the world."

Now headed by Rev. Franklin Graham, son of the late evangelist Billy Graham, the organization is known for giving aid to areas hit by natural disasters, war and disease.