WHEELING, W.Va., June 18, 2025 – The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying crisis-trained chaplains to serve Ohio County, West Virginia, where several inches of rain fell in under an hour on Saturday, resulting in flash flooding across the region.
“We are heartbroken to see another mountain community devastated by the force of flood waters. Our chaplains were in this same state earlier this year as Mingo County experienced similar devastating floods,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “The physical and emotional toll that survivors of this type of devastation endure can be overwhelming. The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team is sending crisis-trained chaplains to share the love of Jesus Christ with those who have gone through this flood—to let them know there is hope to be found even in the most difficult times.”
Chaplains will arrive in Wheeling, West Virginia, and begin ministering to those affected on Thursday, June 19. 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 impacted homeowners.
In addition to Ohio County, West Virginia, the BG-RRT is ministering to those affected by recent tornadoes in St. Louis, Missouri, and offering hope and providing emotional comfort and spiritual care to families who have been forced to flee their homes in war-torn Ukraine. Chaplains concluded a deployment to Los Angeles, California, this past weekend after civil unrest broke out amid anti-ICE protests.
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:
- BG-RRT leadership
- Chaplain coordinator in Ohio County, West Virginia
- 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 890 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Lisa Moseley
lmoseley@bgea.org