Edward Graham, chief operating officer (COO) of Samaritan’s Purse, and a grandson of late evangelist Billy Graham, told Ukrainians that God had not forgotten them in an address as the keynote speaker at Ukraine’s National Prayer Breakfast.
On Aug. 25, Graham spoke in Kyiv at the breakfast, which was styled in the same manner of prayer breakfasts established by his late grandfather. He had been invited to speak at the event by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy had requested for Graham to visit when he met him and his father Franklin Graham, chief executive officer and president of both Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, on the sidelines of the European Congress on Evangelism in Berlin in May, 2025.
Edward Graham reminded delegates at the prayer breakfast that Jesus Christ is the only source of true peace, according to a press release by Samaritan’s Purse, and that is a “peace no president or world leader can give.” He also emphasised God’s love and care for the people of Ukraine.
“We love Ukraine because God loves the people of Ukraine,” Graham said. “Samaritan’s Purse isn’t going anywhere. We are going to continue to provide life-saving help on the frontlines in Jesus’ Name, and when peace is reached, we will roll out a large-scale program to rebuild the churches and ministries that have been destroyed.”
Graham referenced the account in Luke 23 of the thief crucified near Jesus Christ. He mirrored the man’s plea to Jesus, for the Lord to remember him in His kingdom and compared that with suffering Ukrainians, reminding them they are not forgotten by God.
Graham reassured those present that he was personally praying for the bloodshed to end but, more importantly, that the nation would find peace in Jesus Christ.
The COO also challenged those at the breakfast to “come to Jesus Christ in faith” and prayed for peace in a region suffering “the pain and horror of war.”
“Most importantly, I am praying that the people of Ukraine will find a peace that no president or world leader can give, but that can only come from putting your faith and trust in Jesus Christ,” he added.
Apart from his participation in the prayer breakfast, Graham spent time visiting Samaritan’s Purse staff members serving on the ground in the war-torn country. The meeting took place as air raid sirens sounded in the background — a sombre reminder of the dangers encountered by aid workers helping the Ukrainian people. Some of the staff members are Ukrainian nationals themselves who have been displaced from their own homes.
Graham encouraged them in their work providing critical aid and helping communities rebuild in a homeland being torn apart by conflict.
Samaritan’s Purse is also providing aid support via partner churches in the country, combining practical help with opportunities to share the gospel, especially to families and children via the Operation Christmas Child project.
Since the conflict began, Samaritan’s Purse has distributed at least 277 million pounds of food, 32 million gallons of clean water, 13,000 wood-burning stoves, and 1.1 million Bibles while supporting 289 health facilities across Ukraine.
