CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 20, 2024 – Crisis-trained chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) are deploying to Burnsville, Minnesota, 17 miles south of Minneapolis, after two police officers and a firefighter-paramedic were shot and killed while responding to a domestic call on Sunday, Feb. 18. Several specially-trained law enforcement chaplains will be available to minister to officers and first responders.
“We’re praying for the Burnsville community and all of those impacted by this horrific shooting,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “Our crisis-trained chaplains will be on-site to listen, talk and pray with mourners, sharing the love of Jesus Christ in the midst of sorrow.”
BG-RRT chaplains are now providing emotional and spiritual support in three locations. In addition to Burnsville, chaplains are ministering in Las Cruces, New Mexico, following the line-of-duty stabbing of a police officer. Chaplains are also offering hope and comfort 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 coordinator in Burnsville, Minnesota
- 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 760 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
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Media Contact:
Christine Batchelder
cbatchelder@bgea.org