CHARLOTTE, NC — The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is responding to a mass shooting that happened Wednesday night in Lewiston, Maine. Police say at least 18 people are dead and 13 more are wounded. Police report the shooting took place at two locations in Lewiston, which is just north of Portland.
“The tragic news coming out of Lewiston, Maine, is devastating to hear. We are praying for the families of the victims, survivors, law enforcement and the community,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “We are sending our crisis-trained chaplains to comfort, pray and share God’s love with those who have been impacted by this horrific tragedy.”
BG-RRT chaplains are now providing emotional and spiritual support in six locations:
- Lewiston, Maine (mass shooting)
- Valdosta, Georgia (Hurricane Idalia)
- Taylor County, Florida (Hurricane Idalia)
- Maui, Hawaii (wildfires)
- Armenia (conflict)
- Ukraine (conflict)
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 760 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
Media Contact: Christine Batchelder, cbatchelder@bgea.org
Media Opportunities
Interviews with:
- Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT
- Chaplain coordinators in Lewiston, Maine
B-Roll and photos (please use with credit to Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)
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Source: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains respond to Lewiston, Maine, after mass shooting