HEDINGHAM, RALEIGH — Jennifer Metallo is among several crisis-trained chaplains from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team who call Raleigh, North Carolina, home.On October 13th a teenage suspect opened fire in a residential area in Raleigh, shooting and killing five people and leaving this community overcome with grief. Metallo, who has traveled as a chaplain all over the world, shares what it’s like when tragedy hits her city.

“These are my people; this is my town,” she said.

Elizabeth Burgess, another Raleigh-based chaplain, added, “To be able serve my people, my neighborhood, it really hits home in a deep, deep way.”

In this three-minute clip, a handful of Billy Graham chaplains explain how God’s love is enveloping this city during a difficult time.

Jennifer Metallo – Billy Graham RRT Chaplain:

As a Billy Graham chaplain I’m sent all over the world. But I live here. These are my people. This is my town. That makes it all the more real.

Sean Houle – Billy Graham RRT Chaplain:

On Thursday October 13 the Hedingham community of Raleigh had a shooting that claimed the lives of 5 people and injured two others. These folks are looking for hope. They’re looking for somebody to speak with. They hold these things inside heavy and it hurts.

Elizabeth Burgess – Billy Graham RRT Chaplain:

To be able to serve my neighborhood, my people it really hits home in a deep, deep way.

Frank Metallo – Billy Graham RRT Chaplain:

We’ve been here now for a few days to minister to the community and let them know that God loves them. Hopefully we can bring comfort for the days ahead.

Roberto Marquez – Dallas-based artist:

When somebody can paint, just being around, it’s a great way to help. I’m a painter. I would say that if I come and do something for my brothers I think I’m doing the will of God.

Frank:

People are coming together throughout the whole area here in Hedingham. We have a person out here painting pictures. We have them setting up memorials. God is orchestrating all of this and we’ve seen how He uses people in circumstances and he puts all the pieces together to make beautiful tapestries that expresses His love for the community.

Jennifer:

In 2 Corinthians chapter one verses three and four, ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble with the comfort in which we ourselves have been comforted by God.’ What a promise.

Robert:

When our work of art is done it’s to be interpreted, maybe for some people it represents hope, for some it represents Christ or the Holy Spirit. My hope is it’s part of the comfort that is needed right at this moment.

Elizabeth:

God the Father is the comforter, the holy comforter. He comforts us in our infirmities, in our times of distress and our times of suffering.

Frank:

There’s one verse that says ‘He is near to the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.’ And we know He will continue His work here long after we’re gone.

About the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) proclaims the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the world by every effective means available. From its headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., the BGEA directs a wide range of domestic and international ministries, including: large-scale festivals led by evangelists Franklin Graham and Will Graham; The Billy Graham Library; The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, located outside of Asheville, N.C.; SearchforJesus.net, an Internet evangelism project reaching thousands of people for Christ online; and many others through print, television, telephone, radio and the Internet.

For more information, please visit BillyGraham.org.
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