WAVERLY / HUMPHREYS COUNTY, TN — Billy Graham chaplains are ministering to flood victims in Middle Tennessee where 20 people lost their lives in recent floodwaters. Resident Shane Gannon shares what it was like in the midst of such a disaster and how the Billy Graham team has impacted his community.

Shane Gannon – Homeowner:

I really thought, ‘I may die today.’ It just happened so fast. There’s no prep time. What happened here in Waverly, you didn’t have prep time. You are a victim of it instantly. Me and my wife, we come out of it fine, but there are 20 folks in the community that lost their lives. Even some small children. It’s just heartbreaking. It’s just heartbreaking.

So, the Billy Graham Chaplains come to the house, and just have been great for myself and my wife. There is that need for that spiritual help.

We’ve talked and prayed. It’s just a great ministry that Billy Graham organization is delivering. And as a follower of Christ, my thought is there ought to be a hundred boots on the ground of these blue Billy Graham shirts walking around.

I can’t say it enough. It’s greatly appreciated, greatly appreciated.

Kenny Folsom – Billy Graham RRT Chaplain Coordinator:

We’ve been amazed to see what God is doing in Humphreys County and Waverly, Tennessee, since we’ve been here the last few days, but God is faithful. And we have an army of Chaplains coming in, so we’ve got more boots on the ground next week and be able to touch lives of the hurting people here in Waverly and Humphreys County. And we are just anticipating God to do mighty things as we share the hope and love of Jesus Christ.

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 300 disaster sites, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.

Read more on Non Profit/Faith Based Organizations, Compassion Services and Disaster Relief.