CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 28, 2024 – The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying to Bentonville, Arkansas, and Claremore, Oklahoma, after separate EF-3 tornadoes struck both of the cities on Saturday, May 25. The tornadoes were just two of a reported 25 that spawned from a swath of strong storms that struck five states, claiming the lives of at least 21 people and injuring dozens more.
“May has been a very active month for storms across the U.S. – with dozens more tornadoes being reported this past Saturday. People in Arkansas and Oklahoma are the latest group dealing with destruction left in the wake of severe storms, from bodily injuries and loss of life, to power outages, and damage to personal property,” said Josh Holland, international director of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. “The BG-RRT crisis-trained chaplains will come alongside those affected, providing emotional and spiritual care and sharing the hope of Jesus Christ with them.”
BG-RRT chaplains will arrive in Bentonville and Claremore on Wednesday, May 29, to minister to those in the community who suffered damage and loss due to the storms.
BG-RRT chaplains are now providing emotional and spiritual support in six locations. Along with Bentonville and Claremore, chaplains are also in Temple, Texas; Greenfield, Iowa; Tallahassee, Florida; and Southeast Texas, after storms impacted those cities earlier this month. 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 Bentonville, Arkansas, and Claremore, Oklahoma
- 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