By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — A 16-year veteran of the U.S. Army and graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and now the Chief Operating Officer overseeing the domestic and international operations of Boone-headquartered Samaritan’s Purse, Edward Graham will deliver the keynote address for the Men’s Connection “14th Annual Summer Breakfast” on July 30, 8:30 a.m., in the Evergreen Room of Chetola Mountain Resort in Blowing Rock.
Graham is the youngest son of Samaritan’s Purse founder Franklin Graham and the grandson of the late, internationally renowned evangelist, Billy Graham. In his role as COO of the faith-based relief organization with worldwide reach, Graham “…frequently travels to disaster areas to coordinate operations and encourage families impacted by catastrophic events. He also meets with key government officials and church leaders in affected areas to establish relationships, coordination, and other essential support as staff and volunteers work to meet critical needs on the ground,” according to biographical information published on the Samaritan’s Purse website.
His operational leadership has taken him on a variety of disaster responses, including major world crises, including the war in Ukraine, the 2023 earthquake in Turkey, and the ongoing Israel-Hamas War.
Graham “… is often also with our first teams on the ground in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters in the United States, such as the 2021 tornado that ripped through Mayfield, KY. Under his leadership, Samaritan’s Purse staff and volunteers have helped thousands of families begin the process of rebuilding their lives. Graham has responsibility for ensuring that the day-to-day operations of the ministry’s locations in the U.S. and around the world reflect the highest standards of Biblical integrity, a commitment to excellence in our work, and above all, a dedication to the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” says the Web based biography.
During his 16 years with the U.S. Army, Graham served in multiple combat deployments within Special Operations, the biography continues, in various leadership positions. In the winter of 2018, “… he felt called by the Lord to return home and serve in the ministry.”
Graham and wife Kristy have been married for 20 years, with one daughter and three sons.
The Blowing Rock-based Men’s Connection is a non-denominational, men’s Bible study group that meets weekly each Tuesday, 7:15 a.m., at Chetola’s Manor House Restaurant. It has met regularly since 2009. The group is currently engaged in an exhaustive study of Acts, the discussion led by one of the group founders, Tucker Yates.
“This annual Summer Breakfast is a very special occasion in which we have a featured speaker, invite the wives and significant others, and really anyone in the community who wants to learn more about their faith. There is no admission charge. This is not a fundraiser and it is not a political event. I expect the morning events should all be completed by 10 a.m.,” Yates said at the group’s July 2 study session. “Everyone is welcome.”
A partial list of Samaritan’s Purse current and ongoing disaster relief activities:
- FLOOD RESPONSE: LeSeur County, Minn.
- FLOOD RESPONSE: Spencer, Iowa
- FIRE RESPONSE: Ruidoso, N.M.
- TORNADO RESPONSE: Claremore, Okla.
- TORNADO RESPONSE: Benton County, Ark.
- TORNADO RESPONSE: Bell County, Texas
- TORNADO RESPONSE: Tallahassee, Fla.
- FLOOD RESPONSE: Southeast Texas
- REBUILD: Clarksville, Tenn.
- REBUILD: Western Kentucky
- HURRICANE RESPONSE: Hurricane Beryl in Southern Caribbean
- EMERGENCY SHELTER: Eastern Ukraine
- RELIEF (Food and Supplies): Israel-Gaza
- FLOOD RESPONSE: Brazil
- STARVATION RELIEF: Sudan
