On Katrina Anniversary, Billy Graham Rapid Response Team Prepares for Gustav
Chaplains Deploying to Gulf Coast in Advance of Gustav Landfall
August 29, 2008 -- Three years ago today, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in New Orleans, causing unthinkable death and destruction. The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team immediately deployed to the Gulf Coast and over the next two-and-a-half years, thousands of crisis-trained chaplains spread across the region to bring hope and comfort in the midst of one of the greatest natural disasters in the history of the country.
Today, Gustav swirls in the Atlantic and its predicted trajectory suggests that New Orleans will be hit early next week with the strongest storm since that fateful day three years ago. At the request of local authorities, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team is preparing to return to the “Big Easy” to support victims, emergency management and first responders. Based on current weather projections the team is scheduled to deploy from Charlotte early Tuesday morning.
“We don’t know what next week will bring,” said Jack Munday, director of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. “But we do know that God loves each and every person in the Gulf Coast. We will be there with them as they deal with yet another hurricane, and will help however we can.”
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is calling on Christians across the country to pray over the coming days. “This storm has already resulted in deaths and devastation in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, and is on course for the Gulf Coast,” noted Munday. “Please pray for those whose lives have already been affected by this storm, and pray for those who are currently in its path as they seek shelter and safety. Pray for the emergency workers, police and first responders, who will be concerned for their own families while also sacrificing to protect others. Finally, pray for the leaders in these areas, that they will have wisdom, compassion and courage as they deal with the repercussions of Gustav for some time to come.”
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team was developed following the attacks of September 11, 2001. It has since grown into a nationwide database of more than 2,800 chaplains and ministry volunteers who are specifically trained to deal with crisis situations. They have deployed more than 40 times following natural and man-made disasters, including hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires and shootings.
About BGEA
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) proclaims the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the world by every effective means available. From its headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., BGEA runs a wide range of domestic and international evangelism ministries, including: large-scale festivals led by evangelist Franklin Graham; Dare to Be a Daniel, a youth evangelism training project; My Hope World Evangelism Through Television; the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, offering the hope of Jesus Christ in the midst of tragedy; and many others through print, television, telephone, radio and the Internet. For more information, please visit www.billygraham.org.
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Media Contact: Erik Ogren
(704) 577-2109
eogren@bgea.org
