The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) deployed to Griffin, Georgia, after tornadoes swept through the area causing widespread damage. The National Weather Service confirmed that at least three tornadoes touched down across Georgia. A Georgia Emergency Management official reported that a five-year-old child who had been riding in a vehicle was killed after a tree fell on the car. At least seven people lost their lives in this same storm system when it hit Selma, Alabama.
“After seeing the amount of devastation that was in Griffin, Georgia, we made the important decision to deploy to that area,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “We want to make sure residents know they are not alone and not forgotten. In the midst of the storm, there is hope – that hope is in Jesus Christ. We are sending our crisis-trained chaplains to pray with, listen and share God’s love with those who have been impacted by these devastating tornadoes.”
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. The deployment is expected to last two-four weeks.
BG-RRT chaplains are now providing emotional and spiritual support in five locations. Besides Griffin, Georgia, they are ministering to people in tornado-ravaged Selma, Alabama. Chaplains are also serving in two areas of Florida after Hurricane Ian battered the southwest coast of the state. In addition, chaplains are offering hope and providing emotional comfort and spiritual care to families who have been forced to flee their homes in 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.
About the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team:
Media Opportunities
|
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 680 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
– 30 –
Media Contact:
Christine Batchelder
cbatchelder@bgea.org