CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 12, 2024 – The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying to Savannah, Georgia, after the area received between 20-30 inches of rain from Hurricane Debby. Subsequent dam breaches have caused widespread flooding and damage to homes.
“Hurricane Debby wreaked havoc on many communities along the East Coast, with some areas seeing historic flooding that only happens once a century,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “The city of Savannah is filled with beautiful architecture and historic sites, and the flood water that inundated the city is devastating. Our crisis-trained chaplains will be there to pray with and listen to those affected by this storm in the coming days, to remind them as the book of Isaiah says, that God will be with them as they ‘pass through deep waters.’”
Crisis-trained chaplains will arrive in Savannah and begin providing emotional and spiritual care for those affected beginning on Thursday, August 15. 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 five locations. Along with Savannah, chaplains are also in:
- Marion, Virginia (law enforcement ministry)
- Brazoria County, Texas (Hurricane Beryl)
- Spencer, Iowa (flooding)
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 Savannah, Georgia
- 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