BG-RRT Press Kit
LA PLATA COUNTY, Colo., Oct. 20, 2025 – The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying alongside Samaritan’s Purse to southwestern Colorado, where unprecedented rainfall has resulted in widespread flooding across the region. The area received up to 6 inches of rain in just two days, followed by ongoing storms that caused water levels to rise to their highest since the 1970s. The San Juan River through Pagosa Springs surged to historic levels, peaking at 12.6 feet.
A team of crisis-trained chaplains will be ministering to the communities of Vallecito in La Plata County and Pagosa Springs in Archuleta County, where Tropical Storm Priscilla brought days of torrential rain that has damaged hundreds of homes and caused the evacuation of more than 400 families.
“Our hearts go out to the people of southwestern Colorado who are reeling from the devastating floods that swept through their communities last weekend,” said Josh Holland, international director of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. “As residents return home and begin the recovery process, our crisis-trained chaplains will be there to offer a listening ear, a prayer, and the hope of Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that God is our refuge and strength through every flood or storm that we face in life—that’s the message our chaplains hope to bring to those who are hurting.”
The BG-RRT is deploying 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 those who have been affected.
In addition to southwestern Colorado, the BG-RRT is ministering to those affected by recent floods in 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, international director of the BG-RRT
• Chaplain coordinators in Colorado - 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