CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 27, 2026 – The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying alongside Samaritan’s Purse to West Virginia after torrential rainfall triggered historic flooding across Lewis and Upshur counties. Officials have described the flooding as one of the most destructive events the region has seen in decades, damaging or destroying over 400 homes and prompting more than 100 water rescues across the area.
Crisis-trained chaplains will minister in the hardest-hit communities across Lewis and Upshur counties, where families are beginning the long road to recovery. They will provide emotional and spiritual care to homeowners, first responders and others affected by the flooding.
“Recovering from a flooding disaster is about far more than repairing homes—it is also about ministering to the hearts that are hurting and searching for hope,” said Josh Holland, vice president of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team Global. “That’s why our chaplains will be on the ground, offering a listening ear and prayer to anyone who needs hope, encouragement and the reminder that Jesus Christ is with them in the midst of suffering.”
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 those impacted by the crisis.
In addition to West Virginia, chaplains are ministering in southwest Texas after flooding; Colorado following historic wildfires; Venezuela after devastating earthquakes; southern Mississippi and Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, following severe flooding; and Charleston, Illinois, following a tornado. The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team also continues to offer emotional and spiritual care to families 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 BG-RRT
- Chaplain coordinators in West Virginia
- 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 960 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