Raising Kids Who Give and the Impact of Samaritan's Purse

April 27, 2026
00:00 28:07
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Kristy Graham (Billy Graham's granddaughter-in-law) has a front row seat to what God is doing around the world. She's the podcast host of On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse. Maybe you've packed a shoebox with Operation Christmas Child to send the Gospel and gifts to children around the world. How can we raise kids who give generously at Christmas AND as a way of life?

You'll hear about families who travel for the first time to get life-saving heart surgeries for their kids (for free!). And about women who have been rescued from poverty, abuse and war in Kenya at Amani ya Juu through the work of Samaritan's Purse.

Kristy opens up about what it's like to grow up Graham for her kids, and the beautiful legacy of faithfulness she has experienced. But this doesn't mean her life is problem free. Like many of us, her kids have struggled with sickness. You'll find hope and encouragement from a fellow mom in the trenches. In this episode, Arlene and Kristy talk about:

2:30 Life saving surgeries for kids (Children’s Heart Project)

5:45 The power of generosity and how it reflects the gospel

9:10 I didn’t want my kids to become resentful about ministry

11:00 When we don’t have the answers about our children’s illnesses

13:44 More than healing, I want you to want the Healer

15:35 Amani ya Juu in Kenya (what it does for refugees)

20:15 What if we could be more like Ingrid (the Ingrid Effect)?

21:30 How a shoebox is changing families by giving gifts to kids

24:41 What is like having Billy Graham as a grandfather?

Learn more about Samaritan’s Purse: https://samaritanspurse.org/

On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse Podcast: https://ontheground.samaritanspurse.org/home

Follow on Instagram @onthegroundSP

More Resources from Arlene Pellicane:

SUBSCRIBE to Arlene's newsletter "What I'm Learning This Week" and get the checklist, 7 Warning Signs of Screen Overuse.

Check out Arlene's BOOKS including Parents Rising, Screen Kids, and Making Marriage Easier.

Follow Arlene on Instagram and/or Facebook

Go to Arlene's YouTube Channel

How did Arlene's kids adapt to not having phones, video games or social media? Watch the free video, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words.

Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Want to invite Arlene to speak to your group? Email speaking@arlenepellicane.com

Not sure about a smartphone for your child? Check out the Gabb Wireless phone for kids and teens (use the promo code ARLENE)

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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Meet Your Host
Arlene Pellicane is a speaker, host of the Happy Home Podcast, and author of several books including Parents Rising, Making Marriage Easier and Screen Kids.

Arlene has been featured on the Today Show, Fox & Friends, the Wall Street Journal, FamilyLife Today, Focus on the Family, and is the spokesperson for National Marriage Week. Arlene and her husband James have three children and live in San Diego. They have raised their kids without social media, video games and smartphones and inspire others to scroll less and live more. To learn more, visit her website at ArlenePellicane.com.
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