BG-RRT Press Kit
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 30, 2025 – The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying alongside of Samaritan’s Purse to Jamaica, after Hurricane Melissa tore through the island nation as one of the strongest Category 5 storms in recorded history.
“Hurricane Melissa brought complete devastation to parts of Jamaica—with destruction and infrastructure collapse that has isolated people and communities on the island,” said Josh Holland, vice president of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team Global. “As thousands of residents and visitors navigate the difficult days ahead, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team will be there to share light in the midst of darkness. Our chaplains will come alongside those affected to offer emotional and spiritual care in Jesus’ Name.”
Crisis-trained chaplains will arrive in Jamaica and begin providing ministry to those affected beginning on Oct. 31. The BG-RRT deploys to natural disasters in coordination with Samaritan’s Purse, the Christian disaster relief organization also headed by Franklin Graham. Together the two ministries will address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the impacted communities.
In addition to Jamaica, the BG-RRT is ministering to those impacted by flooding earlier this year in Southwest Colorado, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and offering hope and providing emotional comfort 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 Jamaica - B-Roll and photos (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 900 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Claisse Opulencia
copulencia@bgea.org