CHINLE, Ariz., Sept. 25, 2026 – The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying alongside Samaritan’s Purse to a portion of the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico where heavy rainfall caused widespread flash flooding across the region. Water inundated homes and roads in the area—with some roadways being destroyed—and tragically resulted in the loss of three lives.
“We are heartbroken to hear about the loss of life in the Navajo Nation following the flooding that took place there last week,” said Josh Holland, vice president of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team Global. “As residents mourn these losses and begin the process of clean up and recovery, our chaplains will be there to come alongside them and remind them that God is still there even in these dark and trying days. We want them to know the hope and peace that can be found through Jesus Christ.”
The BG-RRT deploys to natural disasters in coordination with Samaritan’s Purse, the Christian disaster relief organization also led by Franklin Graham. Together, the two ministries will address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those impacted by the flooding.
In addition to Navajo Nation, chaplains continue to offer emotional and spiritual care to families 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, vice president of the BG-RRT Global
- Chaplain coordinators at the Navajo Nation
- 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 980 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Lisa Moseley
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