CHARLOTTE, NC — The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying alongside Samaritan’s Purse to Temple, Texas, after an EF-2 tornado destroyed or severely damaged around 500 homes and businesses on Wednesday, May 22. Temple, located in Central Texas, is between Austin and Waco and is adjacent to Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood).

“When Temple was hit by the tornado on Wednesday, people not only lost homes, but also their businesses. Those affected now begin the long-process of recovery and rebuilding,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “Sometimes all it takes to change someone’s outlook when all seems lost is showing the compassion of Jesus Christ to those who are hurting. The crisis-trained chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team will provide emotional and spiritual ministry to those who are feeling the effects of this disaster.”

BG-RRT chaplains will arrive in Temple on Monday, May 27, to minister to those in the community who suffered damage and loss due to the storms.

BG-RRT chaplains are now providing emotional and spiritual support in five locations. Along with Temple, chaplains are also in Greenfield, Iowa; Tallahassee, Florida; and Southeast Texas, after storms impacted those cities earlier this month. 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 Temple, Texas
• B-Roll and photos (please use with credit to Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)
• Interview request form

MEDIA CONTACT: Lisa Moseley, lmoseley@bgea.org

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