CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 29, 2023 –The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying to Marked Tree, Arkansas, after a line of severe storms tore through the Mid-South. Winds in excess of 100 mph snapped power lines and caused widespread damage to the small city located between Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Memphis, Tennessee.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Marked Tree, Arkansas, who have suffered such great loss,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “Storms in life may come, but we have a hope as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul — Jesus. It’s only when we fix our eyes on our Savior that we can withstand the waves of difficulty and endure any trouble. We can hold onto hope and can experience God’s peace. We are sending our crisis-trained chaplains to pray with, listen and share the hope we have in Jesus with those who have been impacted by this devastating storm.”
The team of crisis-trained chaplains is working in conjunction with disaster relief organization Samaritan’s Purse to help meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those impacted by the severe storms.
BG-RRT chaplains are now providing emotional and spiritual support in three locations. Besides Marked Tree, Arkansas, chaplains are bringing hope to those devastated by tornadoes in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They are also ministering 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 Marked Tree, Arkansas
- 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 730 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
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Media Contact:
Christine Batchelder
cbatchelder@bgea.org