CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 11, 2024 – The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying to Brazoria County, Texas, after Hurricane Beryl hit the coast of the state as a Category 1 storm. Hurricane Beryl plowed through the Caribbean as a Category 5 – the earliest reported storm of this magnitude – causing destruction on multiple islands before taking aim at Texas. News reports have said that more than 2 million people in Texas were left without power following the storm, which claimed the lives of 10 people in the U.S.
Concurrently, chaplains will also deploy to Carriacou, an island of Grenada, to minister to those receiving treatment in the Samaritan’s Purse Emergency Field Hospital that has just been established. Carriacou faced complete devastation from the storm.
“To see a Category 5 hurricane form so early in the year is startling. Our hearts go out to those in this area that are facing recovery from the hurricane in the midst of a massive heat wave, after many in the area faced flooding just a few weeks ago,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “Even in the face of this crisis, the people of Grenada, Texas, and all the other impacted areas are not alone. The Rapid Response Team chaplains will be there to pray with and listen to those experiencing loss in the coming days, and let them know that God’s love and the hope found through Jesus Christ is always with them.”
BG-RRT chaplains began arriving in Carriacou on July 10, and will arrive in Angleton, Texas, on Friday, July 12, to minister to those who suffered damage and loss due to the hurricane. The BG-RRT deploys to natural disasters in coordination with Samaritan’s Purse, the Christian disaster relief organization also headed by Franklin Graham. Together the two ministries will address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those who have been affected.
BG-RRT chaplains are now ministering in nine locations. Along with Brazoria County and Grenada, chaplains are also in:
- Le Sueur County, Minnesota (flooding)
- Spencer, Iowa (flooding)
- Ruidoso, New Mexico (wildfires)
- Claremore, Oklahoma (tornado)
- Benton County, Arkansas (tornado)
- Tallahassee, Florida (tornado)
Chaplains are also offering hope and providing emotional comfort and spiritual care to families who have been forced to flee their homes in war-torn Ukraine.
For more information on the ministry, including videos, photos, news articles and an interactive map of former and current deployments, visit the BG-RRT press kit or BillyGraham.org/RRT. Updates can also be found at Facebook.com/RRTChaplains.
Media Opportunities
- Interviews with:
- Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT
- Chaplain coordinators in Brazoria County, Texas
- B-Roll and photos (please use with credit to Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)
- Interview request form
About the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team was developed by Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. It has since grown into an international network of chaplains in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia who are specifically trained to deal with crisis situations. They have deployed to more than 800 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Lisa Moseley
lmoseley@bgea.org