The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

Franklin Graham is the son of the legendary Billy Graham -- a man who has preached the gospel to more people in person than anyone in church history. He is also the president and CEO of the humanitarian organisation, Samaritan’s Purse, which was founded in 1970 by the late Bob Pierce. Like the elder Graham, Pierce worked as an evangelist for the evangelical Protestant organisation, Youth for Christ. Throughout the decades of its existence, Samaritan’s Purse has done mission work in such dangerous countries like Sudan, China, Myanmar, Pakistan and the Philippines. In the words of Pierce, the formation of Samaritan’s Purse is “to meet the emergency needs in crisis areas through existing evangelical mission agencies and national churches.”

Both Grand Bahama and Abaco are in crisis mode after the passing of Hurricane Dorian in early September. With extensive damage to the Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport City amounting to millions of dollars, Samaritan’s Purse has stepped right in to fill the huge void left by the Rand in meeting the needs of thousands of Bahamians free of charge.

With such a great humanitarian gesture by Mr Graham via the said organisation as well as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s Rapid Response Team, why would Nassau Guardian columnist, Front Porch, take aim at Graham by labelling him as “infamous” in a recent op-ed titled “Twisted theology and rancid homophobia of Rev Delton Fernander”? I am all for freedom of the press; but why launch an unprovoked attack on a man whose organisation is currently doing humanitarian work in Grand Bahama and Abaco?

What disturbs me the most is that Samaritan’s Purse aid workers in Freeport have access to The Nassau Guardian, and may have stumbled upon Front Porch’s ill-timed broadside. These aid workers would probably view Bahamians as being ungrateful, if they were to read the hit piece –- which should’ve either been edited or not published at all, in deference to our foreign benefactors.

This was a clear-cut example of biting the hand that feeds you. It was also another example of the utter lack of empathy for Grand Bahamians and Abaconians by many Nassauvians – most of whom have never had a firsthand experience of a major hurricane. Graham has probably done far more for this country in the two months that his organisation has been here than the feminist writer who has been hiding behind the nom de plume Front Porch for years. I am willing to wager that Front Porch has not lifted one finger in assisting those impacted by Dorian. But has the gall to criticise a man who has poured his soul into assisting the Bahamian people. Had it not been for Samaritan’s Purse, both Grand Bahama and Abaco would be in an humanitarian crisis, especially considering the severe limitations of the central government of our third world jurisdiction.

On behalf of the Bahamian people, I would like to offer a sincere apology to Mr Graham. Front Porch does not speak for the overwhelming majority of Bahamians.

KEVIN EVANS

Grand Bahama

November 10, 2019