American pastor helps deliver 23 tons of rice to Christians in Gaza, a task deemed ‘impossible’
An American pastor shared how he and his partners successfully delivered 23 tons of rice to Christians in Gaza, who have been taking refuge in churches amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas following the terror group’s October 2023 attacks.
Pastor William Devlin, missions pastor at Infinity Bible Church in the South Bronx, New York, trusted that God would provide a way to get the rice to Gaza. Having traveled to the region over 30 times for humanitarian aid, he collaborated with Samaritan’s Purse, the Order of St. John of Jerusalem Hospitallers, and the Israel Defense Forces to make the delivery possible.
“I knew they could do it for the glory of God, and they did,” Devlin told The Christian Post.
Devlin, who also serves as the volunteer CEO of REDEEM! and Widows & Orphans, explained that his involvement began when he joined the Hospitallers last April. The order had recently sent 23 tons of rice to Ashdod, Israel, to support Israelis displaced by Hezbollah’s attacks.
Following Hamas’ October 7 invasion, Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel, forcing many residents to flee or struggle for basic necessities.
In September, a leader from the Hospitallers approached Devlin about the possibility of delivering rice to Gaza. Given his ministry experience in the region, they sought his help in transporting the rice from Thailand to the Holy Family Catholic Church and St. Porphyria Greek Orthodox Church in northern Gaza, where over 225 families had been sheltering since October 2023.
Israel has vowed to dismantle Hamas, which controls Gaza, and secure the release of over 250 hostages taken during the October 7 attacks.
According to Devlin, the Hospitallers covered the entire cost of the rice, packaging, and shipping, totaling approximately $35,000—$27,000 for the rice and $7,000 for transportation from Bangkok, Thailand, to Ashdod, Israel.
The pastor described the delivery as a “Mission Impossible” scenario. After reaching out to over 30 faith-based nonprofits and speaking with more than 50 individuals, all of them declined to assist.
“They told me, ‘Pastor Devlin, it’s absolutely impossible to get that rice from Ashdod into Gaza,’” he recalled. “‘It’s an active war zone, and even if it gets in, it will be looted.’”
Israeli defense officials and the United Nations have reported that humanitarian aid entering Gaza is often stolen by Hamas or criminal groups, who then sell it on the black market.
Despite these challenges, Devlin held onto Luke 18:27: “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
Breakthrough came in November when he connected with Samaritan’s Purse, led by Rev. Franklin Graham. Having previously collaborated with Devlin’s organization REDEEM!, Samaritan’s Purse already had a team in Gaza since October 2023, working on humanitarian relief.
With established connections to the IDF and the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Samaritan’s Purse was able to vouch for Devlin. The rice shipment arrived in Ashdod on November 11, 2024, and, despite doubts from many, it successfully reached the two churches in Gaza.
“It was really a God thing,” Devlin said. “Because 35 organizations and some 50 people told me it couldn’t be done. Well, guess what? The rice was delivered—untouched.”