CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 8, 2026 – The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying alongside Samaritan’s Purse to Mississippi after multiple tornadoes tore through the state on Wednesday, May 6. Powerful storms swept across several communities, damaging hundreds of homes and injuring at least 17 people.
Crisis-trained chaplains will serve in the hardest-hit areas of Lincoln and Lamar counties, where more than 400 homes have been damaged or left inaccessible—displacing dozens of families and leaving many residents sifting through debris as recovery begins.
“There are reports of people trapped in their homes, cars completely flattened and roofs torn from houses—the devastation is truly heartbreaking,” said Josh Holland, vice president of BG-RRT Global. “When people’s lives are suddenly turned upside down by a crisis, many are left wondering where to turn. Our chaplains will be there to walk alongside them—offering comfort, prayer and pointing them to the one true hope they can always turn to, Jesus Christ.”
Chaplains will arrive in Lincoln and Lamar counties on Sunday, May 10, to minister to communities affected by the storm damage and loss. 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 Brantley County, Georgia, after destructive wildfires; New London, Wisconsin, and Newaygo, Michigan, following severe flooding; and in Saipan in the aftermath of a typhoon. 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 Mississippi
- 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