“Sharing Hope in Crisis” is one of many events leading up to next year’s Look Up Celebration at The Fountain
FOUNTAIN HILLS, Ariz., Aug. 8, 2024 – From personal tragedies like disease, suicide and financial difficulties to catastrophes on a massive scale such as shootings, fires and floods, many Christians may feel unprepared to offer comfort and hope to those grieving and in despair.
On Aug. 17, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) – a nationwide network of crisis-trained chaplains ready to deploy whenever disaster strikes – will hold an instructional session at Christ’s Church of Fountain Hills, titled “Sharing Hope in Crisis.” This one-day seminar will equip Christians to help those who are suffering.
“When tragedy strikes, whether it’s your family, your friends, or your neighbors, we want people to be ready—to be able to share the compassion and love of Jesus Christ,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “We want to come alongside people, to train and equip them to know how to respond and share God’s hope and comfort with those who are hurting.”
The training will take place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17, at Christ’s Church of Fountain Hills, 15555 E. Bainbridge Ave., Fountain Hills, AZ 85268. Seminar topics include:
- A Biblical view of suffering
- Effects of trauma
- Places of grief
- Listening skills
- A ministry of hope
- What to say and what not to say
The event is free. For more information and to register online, please visit: rrt.billygraham.org/training-opportunities.
Media Opportunities
- Interviews with Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT, and Ken Dunlap, manager of follow up and chaplain support with the BG-RRT
- B-Roll and photos of deployments (please use with credit to Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)
- Interview request form
The Sharing Hope in Crisis seminar is part of a series of trainings and events leading up to the Will Graham Look Up Celebration at The Fountain. Earlier this year, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association announced the one-day outreach at Fountain Park scheduled for March 22, 2025. The Look Up Celebration will feature music by award-winning Christian bands and a message of hope from Will Graham, the grandson of Billy Graham and the oldest son of Franklin Graham. Dates and information for additional pre-Celebration events can be found at lookupcelebration.org/en/fountain-hills/.
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. For more information on the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, including videos, photos, news articles and interactive map of former and current deployments, visit rrt.billygraham.org. Updates can also be found at facebook.com/RRTchaplains.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Lisa Moseley
lmoseley@bgea.org