Billy Graham Rapid Response Team deploys to multiple areas after deadly tornadoes

View Gallery (Monroe, Louisiana)
View Gallery (Laurel, Mississippi)
View Gallery (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
View Gallery (Seneca, South Carolina)

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 14, 2020 – The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (RRT) has deployed crisis-trained chaplains to four areas around the southern United States after a string of storms and tornadoes caused widespread destruction Sunday evening and Monday morning. Teams of chaplains are on their way to Monroe, Louisiana; Laurel, Mississippi; Seneca, South Carolina; and Chattanooga, Tennessee; to provide emotional and spiritual care to those impacted by the storms.

“Powerful storms and tornadoes ravaged multiples states across the South yesterday and last night,” Franklin Graham said on his Facebook page Monday morning. “Please join me in praying for these hurting families and those who have lost so much overnight.”

Hundreds of homes were damaged, at least 34 people died, and more than 1 million people were left without power due to the storms.

“We are deeply saddened for all of those who lost loved ones and homes during these destructive storms,” said Josh Holland, assistant director of the RRT. “The timing of having such a devastating event on Easter Sunday is tough. Compounded on all of it is the worldwide crisis of the pandemic that we are all dealing with. In the scriptures, Jesus makes it clear that in this world trouble comes, but He always overcomes the world. That’s the message of Easter. We are blessed that God has provided a great group of crisis-trained chaplains that—even in the midst of COVID-19—are ready to go and to share hope with people who have endured yet another tragedy.”

The RRT also has teams of chaplains serving in Italy and New York City to offer emotional and spiritual care at Samaritan’s Purse Emergency Field Hospitals set up to care for COVID-19 (coronavirus) patients.

For more information on the ministry, including videos, photos, news articles and an interactive map of former and current deployments, visit BillyGraham.org/RRT. Updates can also be found at Facebook.com/RRTChaplains.

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 450 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.

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