On Thursday, Franklin Graham kicked off the Sharing Hope in Jesus' Name conference, which lasted throughout the weekend in Orlando, Florida. Hosted by the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (RRT) and Samaritan's Purse North American Ministries, the disaster relief conference trained those interested in becoming chaplains and volunteers. Read more about the conference.
The four-day conference served as a reunion for disaster relief staff and experienced volunteers. From across the United States and beyond, usually they only meet during crises.
Franklin Graham, president and CEO of both Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse, greets volunteers with a warm smile. Some attending the conference have helped his organizations for more than a decade. "It's because of you, our chaplains, your work, our volunteers, that allow us to touch people in Jesus' name," Franklin said.
Arms raised high in worship, these volunteers serve God in both good and hard circumstances.
Volunteers grow close as they minister alongside each other during disasters.
It wasn't out of the ordinary to see friends going before the Lord in prayer for one another.
"I'm gonna sing in the middle of a storm. Louder and louder, gonna hear my praises roar," Aaron Shust sang on Thursday evening.
The conference offered multiple sessions to help volunteers learn how to help those with emotional, physical and spiritual needs during times of disaster. This included 10 Critical Incident Stress Management courses and Sharing Hope in Crisis training. Within the one weekend, those who desire to become Billy Graham chaplains could take all the courses they need to serve. >>Want to become a Billy Graham chaplain? Learn more.
Inside the conference prayer room, RRT chaplains and staff prayed for volunteers' requests and with those who dropped by for intercession.
Representatives from Liberty University's Send Now program shared about their partnership with SP and the RRT. The Send Now initiative sends Liberty students to help during disasters. Through the program, more than 20 groups of Liberty students have deployed to disasters as Samaritan's Purse volunteers, and have begun to shadow the chaplains on deployment as well.
Dennis Agajanian, another worship leader for the event, has been to Thailand, Australia and most recently Colombia with Franklin Graham this year. His music continues to bring joy to people as they clap along to his acoustic guitar.
Associate Pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church Ken Bevel has worked with SP and the RRT several times as his community of Albany, Georgia, has faced many tragedies over the past few years. Bevel is known for his acting in the inspirational movies "Fireproof" and "Courageous," and humbly spoke on Saturday about the gifts of God.
Many married couples attended the conference, partnering together in ministry.
A group of Billy Graham chaplains and Samaritan's Purse volunteers gather outside in prayer. Similarly, during each morning of a deployment, they circle up to pray before heading out to homeowner sites.
Doug Sauder, lead pastor of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, began Friday's sessions by speaking on the idea of revolution. "Jesus calls us to do really hard things for the Gospel," he explained. Sharing his life verse, Matthew 11:12, he said the Scripture describes the kingdom of light coming against the kingdom of darkness. "When you experience hard things, you see that redemption is greater than brokenness, and that glory comes from suffering. It's more than an adrenaline rush. We were made to do this because God likes us to be a part of His redemption in the world."
Pausing for prayer. A still moment in the midst of a four-day conference booked with continuous trainings.
Some of the classes involved hands-on training with chainsaws.
"Jesus is the only one who can save us," Franklin Graham told volunteers. Even though they may do much for the kingdom of God, it is only through faith in God they can have eternal life. Do you believe that Jesus is the only way to God? Know Him today.
From understanding how to start a crisis ministry in their church to being trained in suicide prevention, attendees learned to equip their minds and hearts for times of disaster. Learn how you can pray for the RRT.
