Crisis-trained chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team have wrapped up two major deployments in which they had the opportunity to minister to the emotional and spiritual needs of hurting people in the U.S. and abroad.

In late April, a devastating tornado struck the small town of Durant, Miss., damaging hundreds of homes. The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team sent chaplains into the area alongside Samaritan’s Purse and together they helped the community – which sits about 60 miles north of Jackson, Miss. – as they began to recover. Over the course of nearly seven weeks, a total of 28 chaplains from around the country rotated into the area, praying with and comforting some 1,785 people.

Across the Atlantic, a horrifying scene played out on June 14 as London’s Grenfell Tower apartment building was consumed by a widespread and fast-moving fire. At least 79 people lost their lives in the blaze. Chaplains came alongside a local church to share the hope of Jesus in the midst of the deep pain and mourning. They ministered to hundreds and prayed with 340 people, including many who lost loved ones and friends. It was the third time in as many weeks that the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team deployed chaplains in the United Kingdom. The group provided emotional and spiritual care to survivors and mourners following the Manchester Arena bombing on May 22, and the June 3 attack on London Bridge and the Borough Market. Chaplains with the ministry also responded to London following the terror attack in March.

For more information on the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, including an interactive map of current deployments, visit www.billygraham.org/rrt and www.facebook.com/rrtchaplains.

Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains deploy to Wisconsin and Illinois following devastating floods

Crisis-trained chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team have deployed to two flood zones within the month of July. On July 16, they responded to devastating flooding in the southeastern part of Wisconsin, where rising waters washed out roads in Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties.

“As the floodwaters rose, so did the levels of despair and hopelessness in the hearts of many families in the area,” said Jack Munday, international director of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. “In the coming days, as they’re allowed back into their homes, many will find themselves dragging everything they own to the curb—soggy, moldy and unsalvageable. Our desire is to offer God’s hope and encouragement as they journey through this crisis.”

The same heavy rainfall prompted another team of chaplains to deploy to Northeastern Illinois a few days later. For both deployments, Rapid Response Team chaplains are serving alongside Samaritan’s Purse, working together to bring the love and compassion of Jesus Christ to hurting residents.

The Illinois deployment marks the third time the Rapid Response Team has responded to floods in 2017 and the seventh time this year the chaplains have responded in the wake of a natural disaster. Earlier this year, the team deployed after tornadoes sliced through Albany, Ga.; Durant, Miss.; Forrest County, Miss.; and New Orleans, La. Chaplains also ministered in Ripley County, Mo., after devastating flooding in May.

For more information on the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, including an interactive map of current deployments, visit www.billygraham.org/rrt and www.facebook.com/rrtchaplains.

Since opening in 2007, the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, N.C., has welcomed more than 1.1 million visitors from all 50 U.S. states and 90 countries around the world. This month marks the 10th anniversary of the Library.

The Library was dedicated in a special ceremony one week before the opening. On May 31, 2007, more than 1,000 people, including three former U.S. Presidents and many dignitaries, attended the ceremony in honor of the impact Billy Graham and his ministries have made around the world.

Among many speakers that day was Billy Graham’s son, Franklin Graham. “The Library is about a man who took God’s Gospel … to the ends of the earth,” said Franklin. “It is my prayer that every person who comes through that door will hear and understand that Jesus Christ died for their sins.”

Ten years later, the Billy Graham Library is poised to continue to represent the story of how God worked through Billy Graham to share the Gospel around the world. For more information on the Library as well as ministry highlights from the past decade, visit www.billygrahamlibrary.org/10years.

Summer events at The Cove to focus on grace, prayer and the truth of the Gospel

Summer programming at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove includes events that will encourage participants to be strong in their faith and find power in God during tumultuous times.

The schedule features seminars and retreats with ministry leaders, teachers, and authors including Will Graham, Ken Ham, Alex McFarland and more. Specialized programs include several intensive Bible training seminars designed to take an in-depth approach to understanding specific topics or sections of the Bible. Upcoming events include: “Jesus, Don’t You Care?” with Darren Thomas from July 7-9; Intensive Bible Training with Woodrow Kroll from July 10-14; and An Evening at The Cove with Michael Card on July 16

For more information about these, and other, events, view the complete events schedule online at www.thecove.org.

Franklin Graham and his daughter, Cissie Graham Lynch, participate in the presidential inaugural events
On Friday, Jan. 20, Franklin Graham stood on the U.S. Capitol grounds to read a passage of Scripture during the 45th presidential inauguration. In 2016, Graham called the nation to unite in prayer, starting his Decision America Tour in January and traveling to all 50 states. This month, as he took the podium a few minutes after Donald Trump was sworn in as the new president, Graham again called Americans to unite by reading 1 Timothy 2:1-6.

Graham’s daughter, Cissie Graham Lynch, also participated in the inauguration by praying on Jan. 19 at a special inauguration prayer event in Washington, D.C., and on Jan. 21 at the 58th presidential inaugural prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral.

Over the last 12 years, millions around the world have heard the Gospel through My Hope, a ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. My Hope has launched an all-new 30-minute program entitled “Decisions” which is accessible—free of charge—via DVD within the United States, or globally via internet streaming.

“Decisions” features a Gospel message from Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and looks at the lives of people of different ages and backgrounds who have heard the Gospel through Graham’s 2016 Decision America Tour and made life-changing decisions to follow Christ.

The DVD version of “Decisions” also includes “A Time for Decision: Pray, Vote, Engage,” a special 30-minute program that goes behind the scenes of Franklin Graham’s Decision America Tour. For more information on My Hope, including tips on how the available free resources can be used, visit www.MyHopewithBillyGraham.org. You can participate by ordering your free copy of “Decisions” and beginning to pray for your community.

In early October, Hurricane Matthew – once a Category 5 storm – made landfall in South Carolina, bringing devastating flooding, toppled trees, and extensive property damage up and down the East Coast. With an eye on the looming impact, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team of crisis-trained chaplains pre-positioned staff and resources in key areas. “Hurricane Matthew struck with ferocious power, and we still don’t know the full extent to which it has damaged areas of impact,” Jack Munday, international director of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, said at the time. “Our team is prepared to offer hope and comfort to the people affected by this storm in the midst of their pain.”

As the storm cleared, the ministry was ready to respond as soon as the roads opened and assessments revealed the worst-hit areas. Ultimately, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team – along with disaster relief ministry Samaritan’s Purse – deployed to three areas; two in South Carolina (the Low Country region and Horry County) and one in eastern North Carolina(Edgecombe County).

Franklin Graham called for prayer on his Facebook page, “Hurricane Matthew has wreaked havoc along its deadly path. A number have died, and tens of thousands of people have no electricity even on the coast here in my home state of NC. … Join me in praying not only for those here in the U.S. who are hurting, but also for our neighbors in Haiti.”

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team also continues to minister in Louisiana in the wake of severe flooding that struck that state in August.

For more information about the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, including current deployments and how to get involved, visit www.billygraham.org/rrt.

A total of 236,950 joined Franklin Graham at the 2016 Decision America Tour. Add to that more than 150,000 live views online collectively and over 287,000 from his Facebook Live feed during his last stop in North Carolina.

Franklin Graham’s three-fold message has been simple and steady throughout all 50 states: Pray. Vote. Engage. Finishing the tour with a massive crowd of about 14,000 in his home state, he reflected on when it began. “They didn’t come to hear me,” Franklin said. “They came to pray.”

In addition to calling Christians to action, Franklin shared the Gospel message at every stop. As a result, more than 8,000 people nationwide responded to make a decision for Jesus Christ. The tour ended with Franklin imploring everyone to keep praying for America, to get involved in local politics and to engage in their communities. MORE…

For more information on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, visit www.billygraham.org.

Rev. Billy Graham celebrated his 98th birthday on Monday, Nov. 7, at his home in Montreat, N.C. Franklin Graham sent birthday wishes to the elder Graham on his Facebook page and shared a quote from his father. “He once said, ‘God isn’t finished with you when you retire! We never retire from His service.’”

The Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, N.C., welcomed guests to celebrate Graham’s birthday with free cake on Monday. In addition, visitors had an opportunity to sign a birthday banner with prayers, memories, and well-wishes for the evangelist.