BGEA Chaplains Ministering in Germany After Deadly Mall Shooting

By   •   July 23, 2016

Crisis-trained chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team will be in Munich, Germany, today to offer emotional and spiritual care in the aftermath of the deadly mall shooting.

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team has sent crisis-trained chaplains to Munich, Germany, after a gunman opened fire in a crowded shopping mall on Friday. Nine people were killed and many more were injured in the second deadly attack on Europeans in eight days.

Three crisis-trained chaplains, including one who speaks German, will be in the area meeting with local church leaders, while also offering emotional and spiritual care. Three additional German-speaking chaplains will join the ministry effort on Tuesday.

“As we again see the face of evil in the news, chaplains are in Munich today to meet with churches to offer support and assistance and provide the emotional and spiritual care for the many people who have been traumatized,” said Jack Munday, international director of the Rapid Response Team.

Franklin Graham encouraged his followers on Twitter to keep the community in prayer. He wrote, “Pray for the victims and family members of the mass shooting in Munich, Germany today.”

This deployment marks the second time in two weeks the Rapid Response Team has sent chaplains out internationally. Most recently, a team of crisis-trained chaplains from Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States was deployed to Nice, France, after a man drove a truck through a crowd celebrating Bastille Day. Eighty-four were killed, and many more were wounded in the terrifying incident.

“These are sudden and unexpected types of trauma that bring intense fear and grief,” Munday said.

“And yet, anyone who has a confidence in Christ can experience comfort and peace [in these trying times]. Because of God’s great love, I know He offers hope and comfort in Jesus Christ to take away all fear.”

Would you please keep the grieving community of Munich in your prayers?

Having trouble finding peace in these uncertain times?