The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) deployed crisis-trained chaplains to Surfside, Fla. to provide emotional and spiritual support after a 12-story residential building collapsed early Thursday morning that killed several people.
“As we learn more about this terrible tragedy, our hearts are broken for the residents of this condo who experienced such a devastating event,” said Josh Holland, assistant director of the BG-RRT. “Our crisis-trained chaplains are available to listen and we want all of those who were impacted—including the first responders who are part of the search and rescue efforts—to know that God still loves them and cares about them, even in the midst of such pain and sadness.”
BG-RRT chaplains are currently serving at four locations across Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana after severe flooding.
“Tragically, I woke up to learn that three bodies had been pulled from the rubble last night. Devastating news for families waiting for any hope of survival,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told ABC News’ Cecelia Vega on “Good Morning America” June 26.
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 550 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.