Event prepared participants to assist those who are dealing with pain and loss
CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 23, 2023 – The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) held the first ever “You are not Alone” conference in Ukraine, May 17-19, to encourage and equip local chaplains and pastors who continue to serve Ukranians in the war-torn region. Since the conflict began in February 2022, BG-RRT chaplains have been deployed alongside disaster relief organization Samaritan’s Purse to provide emotional and spiritual care to families who were forced to flee their homes. More than 380 people took part in the conference.
“We believe God used this time to encourage and equip chaplains all throughout Ukraine who are serving the needs of others each day,” said Josh Holland, international director of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. “It’s been a long, hard year for so many people in this country who are suffering.”
Crisis-trained BG-RRT chaplains are currently ministering in three locations. Besides Ukraine, chaplains are serving in Shawnee, Oklahoma, after tornadoes ripped through the region. They are also providing hope and comfort in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after massive flooding in the area.
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 for the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team
- For B-Roll, photos and media inquiries, please contact Christine Batchelder at cbatchelder@bgea.org, (704) 724-6851.
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 700 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
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Media Contact:
Christine Batchelder
cbatchelder@bgea.org