CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 12, 2021 – The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying alongside Samaritan’s Purse to Northeast Arkansas and Mayfield, Kentucky, as crisis-trained chaplains will provide emotional and spiritual support after a storm system produced multiple deadly tornadoes.
More than 30 tornadoes were spawned from the storm, one of which left a path of destruction stretching more than 200 miles. At least 80 people died in the state of Kentucky alone with the death toll still rising as search and rescue efforts continue.
“We are deeply saddened by the significant loss of life as a result of these tornadoes. We are praying for all of those who lost friends and loved ones and also for the large number of people who suffered damage to their home and property,” said Josh Holland, assistant director of the BG-RRT. “Our crisis-trained chaplains will be there to listen and pray with people, and let them know that God is with them and loves them, even during this difficult time.”
Crisis-trained chaplains are now serving in six locations across the country after various natural disasters. Chaplains are providing emotional and spiritual support in Whatcom County, Washington, after historic flooding, and in three locations in Louisiana, where they have been since Sept. 1 after Hurricane Ida devastated the area.
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.
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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 550 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
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Media Contact:
Blake Freeland
bfreeland@bgea.org
