CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 12, 2023 –The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying to Highland Falls, New York, an area that experienced catastrophic flooding this past weekend. Roadways were washed out and dozens of water rescues took place after more than a half-foot of rain fell in only a few hours. Highland Falls is just outside of West Point.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Highland Falls. We can’t even begin to imagine how scary this situation must have been,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “We want to encourage and remind residents to hold onto the strong anchor during storms – Jesus. God is our unbreakable lifeline. Storms in life will come, but we can rest in the anchor of God’s promises as, ‘We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure’ (Hebrews 6:19).”
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.
BG-RRT chaplains are now providing emotional and spiritual support in three locations. Besides Highland Falls, New York, chaplains are bringing hope to those in Marked Tree, Arkansas, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, after severe storms swept through the area. They are also ministering 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 coordinators in Highland Falls, New York
- For B-Roll, photos and media inquiries, please contact Christine Batchelder at cbatchelder@bgea.org, (704) 724-6851.
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 730 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
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Media Contact:
Christine Batchelder
cbatchelder@bgea.org