CHARLOTTE, NC — Crisis-trained chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) are deploying to Winder, Georgia, approximately 40 minutes northeast of Atlanta, following a mass shooting at Apalachee High School. At this time, news reports indicate that four people have been killed, with several more injured. The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office reported that the shooter is in custody.

“As a father, my heart breaks for the students, teachers, and families of those who were injured and killed in his horrific attack. It’s absolutely devastating,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “In this dark hour, our chaplains will come alongside the hurting and broken to offer emotional and spiritual care—the hope and comfort of Jesus Christ.”

BG-RRT chaplains will begin arriving in the area this evening, Sept. 4.

The BG-RRT is now ministering in four areas across the United States. In addition to Winder, the ministry is meeting emotional and spiritual needs in:

• Brazoria County, Texas (hurricane)
• Savannah, Georgia (hurricane)
• Sarasota, Florida (hurricane)

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.

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.

Media Opportunities

• Interviews with:
  • Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT
  • Chaplain coordinators in Winder, Georgia
• B-Roll and photos (please use with credit to Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)
• Interview request form

Media Contact: Erik Ogren, eogren@bgea.org

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