CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 7, 2022 – A team of chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) deployed to Memphis, Tennessee, to provide emotional and spiritual support after a devastating ice storm.
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland has declared a state of emergency as this fierce winter storm knocked down trees, damaged houses and left thousands without power.
“As we learn of the many lives impacted because of this ice storm in Memphis, our hearts are heavy for those who have had great loss,” said Josh Holland, assistant director of the BG-RRT. “Our crisis-trained chaplains are there in the midst of this tragedy to provide emotional and spiritual care as the area begins the recovery process.”
BG-RRT chaplains are trained in crisis response and will work in conjunction with the disaster relief organization Samaritan’s Purse to help meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those impacted by the storms.
BG-RRT chaplains are now serving in three locations across the country after various natural disasters. Chaplains are also providing emotional and spiritual support in: Boulder County, Colorado, after massive wildfires raged throughout the area; and in Houma, Louisiana, where they have been since Sept. 1 after Hurricane Ida devastated the area.
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.
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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 550 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
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Media Contact:
Christine Batchelder
cbatchelder@bgea.org