BG-RRT Press Kit
CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland, Jan. 4, 2026 – The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying chaplains to Crans-Montana, Switzerland, following a devastating fire during a New Year’s Eve celebration that killed at least 40 people and left many others injured. The tragedy has been described by the Swiss president as “one of the worst tragedies our country has ever known,” with many of those killed being young people.
“What unfolded in Crans-Montana on New Year’s Eve has left families and loved ones facing sudden and unimaginable loss,” said Josh Holland, vice president of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team Global. “This was meant to be a time of joy and new beginnings, buthas instead become a season of grief. Our chaplains will come alongside those who are hurting—to listen, to pray, and to offer the hope and compassion of Christ when it’s needed most.”
Crisis-trained chaplains arrived in Switzerland on Friday, Jan. 2 and have begun providing emotional and spiritual care to those affected by the tragedy. The chaplains deploying to Crans-Montana previously served in Italy during the initial phase of the COVID-19 outbreak, offering care and support amid widespread loss and uncertainty.
In addition to Crans-Montana, the BG-RRT recently deployed to Sydney, Australia, following the terror attack on Bondi Beach. The ministry also continues to provide care to those impacted by flooding in Whatcom County, Washington, and to families 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, vice president of the BG-RRT Global
• Chaplain coordinator in Whatcom County - 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 900 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Claisse Opulencia
copulencia@bgea.org