CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 19, 2025 – The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying alongside Samaritan’s Purse to Poplar Bluff, Missouri, after dozens of tornadoes ripped through the Midwest and Southern United States claiming the lives of at least 39 individuals in the storms. Additionally, winds and severe weather caused more than 130 fires to erupt in Oklahoma, with more than 400 homes damaged and 170,000 acres burned across the state. Chaplains will deploy to Stillwater, Oklahoma, where more than 70 homes were completely destroyed.
“The dangerous outbreak of storms this weekend have impacted people in at least eight states. The recovery process will be long and difficult, but we want them to know they are not alone,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “The crisis-trained chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team are heading to Missouri and Oklahoma to provide spiritual and emotional care to those affected by the destruction caused by this week’s tornadoes and to share a message of hope with them.”
Chaplains will arrive in Missouri and Oklahoma today, Wednesday, March 19, to minister to those in the community who suffered damage and loss due to the storms. 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 impacted homeowners.
BG-RRT is now providing ministry in five locations across the United States. In addition to Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and Stillwater, Oklahoma, chaplains are serving in:
- Los Angeles, California area (Palisades and Eaton wildfires)
- Pikeville, Kentucky (flooding)
Chaplains are also 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, international director of the BG-RRT
- Chaplain coordinators in Missouri and Oklahoma
- 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 870 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Lisa Moseley
lmoseley@bgea.org