CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 3, 2023 – The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying to Mexico after Hurricane Otis, a category 5 storm, slammed into Mexico’s southern Pacific coast last week. The hurricane claimed the lives of at least 48 people and resulted in widespread property damage, including more than 200,000 homes.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Mexico. We can’t even begin to imagine how scary this situation must have been,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “We are sending our crisis-trained chaplains to pray with, comfort, listen to and share God’s love with those who have been impacted by this storm.”
BG-RRT is sending a team of crisis-trained Spanish-speaking chaplains in conjunction with teams from disaster relief organization Samaritan’s Purse to help meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those impacted by this severe storm.
BG-RRT chaplains are now providing emotional and spiritual support in six locations:
- Acapulco, Mexico (Hurricane Otis)
- Valdosta, Georgia (Hurricane Idalia)
- Taylor County, Florida (Hurricane Idalia)
- Maui, Hawaii (wildfires)
- Armenia (conflict)
- Ukraine (conflict)
The chaplains recently completed ministry efforts in Maine, where they comforted those impacted by the mass shooting in Lewiston.
Media Opportunities
Interviews with:
- Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT
- Chaplain coordinators in Acapulco, Mexico
B-Roll and photos (please use with credit to Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)
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 760 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
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Media Contact:
Christine Batchelder
cbatchelder@bgea.org