CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 5, 2024 – Parts of the Midwest along the Minnesota, Missouri and Mississippi Rivers have seen their highest levels in nearly 15 years. The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) will deploy to Le Sueur County, Minnesota—where flooding has left entire communities under water—to provide support to those affected.
“After flood waters have inundated communities, we think the worst is over when the water is gone – but that’s when the reality of the disaster truly begins,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “People across Le Sueur County are facing hard days as they see what can be salvaged of their homes and businesses. Our crisis-trained chaplains will be there to come alongside those who are searching for hope in the midst of devastation.”
BG-RRT chaplains will arrive in Le Sueur County on Saturday, July 6, to minister to those in the community who suffered damage and loss due to the flooding. The BG-RRT deploys to natural disaster areas 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 recovering from flooding.
BG-RRT chaplains are now ministering in eight locations. Along with Le Sueur County, chaplains are also in:
- Northwest Iowa (flooding)
- Ruidoso, New Mexico (wildfires)
- Claremore, Oklahoma (tornado)
- Benton County, Arkansas (tornado)
- Temple, Texas (tornado)
- Tallahassee, Florida (tornado)
- Southeast Texas (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 Le Sueur County, Minnesota
- 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 800 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
– 30 –
MEDIA CONTACT:
Erik Ogren
eogren@bgea.org