CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 23, 2024 – The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying alongside Samaritan’s Purse to Greenfield, Iowa, after a tornado with reported wind speeds over 200 mph tore through the town and claimed the lives of multiple residents on Tuesday. The city of just-over 2,000 residents is located about 60-miles southwest of Des Moines.
“We grieve with those in Greenfield whose friends and loved ones perished in the tornado on Tuesday,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “When we see the devastating effects of tornadoes – whether through loss of life or property – we can’t help but be broken-hearted for those who are hurting. The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team crisis-trained chaplains will come alongside those affected by the storm to let them know that God hasn’t abandoned them in their time of need.”
BG-RRT chaplains will arrive in Greenfield on Friday, May 24, 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 four locations. Along with Greenfield, chaplains are also in Tallahassee, Florida, and Southeast Texas, after storms impacted those areas 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 Greenfield, Iowa
- 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