CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 26, 2026 – The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying alongside Samaritan’s Purse to southern Mississippi after historic flooding inundated communities across the Gulf Coast following days of heavy rainfall. Floodwaters damaged homes and businesses, closed roads and forced dozens of high-water rescues.
Crisis-trained chaplains will serve in the hardest-hit area of Harrison County, where more than 300 homes have been damaged or left inaccessible—displacing families and leaving many residents cleaning out flood-damaged homes as recovery begins.
“As residents return home and begin the difficult work of recovery, our crisis-trained chaplains will be there to offer a listening ear, a prayer and the hope of Jesus Christ,” said Josh Holland, vice president of BG-RRT Global. “The Bible reminds us that God is our refuge and strength in every storm we face. That’s the hope our chaplains will share with those who are hurting.”
Chaplains will arrive in Harrison County on Friday, June 26, to minister to people affected by the devastating flooding. The BG-RRT deploys to natural disasters in coordination with Samaritan’s Purse, the Christian disaster relief organization also led by Franklin Graham. Together, the two ministries will address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of impacted homeowners.
In addition to Mississippi, chaplains are ministering in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, following historic flooding, and in Charleston, Illinois, following a tornado. The BG-RRT also continues to offer emotional 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 Harrison County
- 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 940 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Claisse Opulencia
copulencia@bgea.org
+1 (704) 401-2717