CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 27, 2026 – The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying alongside Samaritan’s Purse to Enid, Oklahoma, after a powerful tornado struck the city on April 23, damaging dozens of homes and leaving multiple people injured. The storm was part of a wider outbreak across the central United States, with additional severe weather impacting several states.
Many homes have been damaged or destroyed—some completely flattened—displacing families and individuals across the community. A team of crisis-trained chaplains will be ministering in Enid, offering emotional and spiritual care to those affected as recovery efforts begin.
“In the wake of this tornado, many in Enid are walking through shock and heartbreak as they begin to process what has happened,” said Josh Holland, vice president of BG-RRT Global. “Our crisis-trained chaplains will be in the midst of a hurting community to offer prayer, a listening ear, and the hope found in Jesus Christ—reminding them that they are loved by God and not forgotten.”
The BG-RRT deploys to natural disasters in coordination with Samaritan’s Purse, the Christian disaster relief organization also led by Franklin Graham. Together, the two ministries will address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of impacted homeowners.
In addition to Enid, chaplains are ministering in New London, Wisconsin, and Newaygo, Michigan, following severe flooding; in Lena, Illinois, following a tornado; and in Saipan in the aftermath of a typhoon. The BG-RRT also continues to offer emotional and spiritual care 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, vice president of the BG-RRT Global
• Chaplain coordinators in Enid - B-Roll and photos of deployments (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 940 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Claisse Opulencia
copulencia@bgea.org
+1 (704) 401-2717