The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) has deployed to eastern Kentucky following historic flash flooding devastated the area on July 27. At least 25 people are dead, including six children, following the storm. Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency after homes washed away and roads were destroyed. The Governor has also mobilized the National Guard to help rescue those still stranded.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of eastern Kentucky. We can’t even begin to imagine how scary this situation must have been and the loss of life is devastating,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “We are sending our crisis-trained chaplains to pray with, comfort, listen and share God’s love with those who have been impacted by this storm.”
The team of crisis-trained chaplains are working in conjunction with disaster relief organization Samaritan’s Purse to help meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those impacted by the flooding.
BG-RRT chaplains are now serving in three locations. Besides eastern Kentucky, chaplains are in Buchanan County, Virginia, after storms swept through the area. They also continue to serve in Ukraine, offering hope and providing comfort and compassion to families who have been forced to flee their homes.
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.
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.
About the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team:
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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 550 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
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Media Contact:
Christine Batchelder
cbatchelder@bgea.org