CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 13, 2024 – Crisis-trained chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) are deploying to Tallahassee, Florida, where three tornadoes caused significant damage on Friday, May 10. As of Sunday evening, tens of thousands are still without power.
“The devastation from this storm is hard to believe. Between the damaged homes and businesses, the downed power lines and the mass of uprooted trees, the area is in complete disarray. Many are hurting badly today,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “Our crisis-trained chaplains will provide emotional and spiritual care—the hope and peace of Jesus—to those who have lost so much.”
The BG-RRT is deploying 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 areas across the United States. In addition to Tallahassee, Florida, the ministry is meeting emotional and spiritual needs in the following communities:
- Bartlesville/Barndall, Oklahoma (tornado)
- Southeast Texas (flooding)
- Rock Hill, South Carolina (hailstorm)
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 Tallahassee, Florida
- 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