CHARLOTTE, NC — Crisis-trained chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) are deploying to the Houston, Texas, area as excessive flooding has impacted a large swath of the region. The deadly storms dropped several inches of rain, causing rivers to overflow and flood homes, businesses and roadways.

“We’ve found that flooding can be a particularly devastating natural disaster. Often your possessions, your keepsakes, even your mattress and sofa, are right where you left them—but you can’t keep them. They need to be pulled out to the curb before mold takes over. The emotional toll is incalculable,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “Crisis-trained chaplains will come alongside the residents of Northeast Houston in their moment of loss and grief, providing comfort and the hope of Jesus in these dark days.”

The BG-RRT is deploying in conjunction with Samaritan’s Purse, the Christian disaster relief organization which is also headed by Franklin Graham. Together the two ministries will address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those who have been affected.

BG-RRT chaplains are now ministering in six areas across the United States. In addition to Houston, Texas, the ministry is meeting emotional and spiritual needs in the following communities:

• Northeast Oklahoma (tornado)
• Minden, Iowa (tornado)
• Slidell, Louisiana (tornado)
• Rock Hill, South Carolina (hailstorm)

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.

BG-RRT Press Kit

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 Houston, Texas
• B-Roll and photos (please use with credit to Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)
• Interview request form

MEDIA CONTACT: Taylor Koziarz, tkoziarz@bgea.org

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