The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is ministering in Sulphur, Oklahoma; Minden, Iowa; and Elkhorn, Nebraska, in the wake of a deadly storm system that tore through the Midwest, ripping off roofs, blowing out windows, and leaving behind piles of debris.
Four people lost their lives in Oklahoma, including a 4-month-old.
“The swath of devastation that has ripped through Oklahoma is stunning and heartbreaking,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT.
“The overwhelming sense of loss—for those who lost their homes, and especially for those who lost loved ones—will be nearly unbearable. We want the people of Sulphur and the surrounding region to know that Jesus loves them, that we are praying for them, and we will be standing beside them.”
At least 102 tornadoes were reported in the Midwest over the weekend. Hundreds of homes were damaged in the Minden and Elkhorn communities just outside Omaha, Nebraska.
“Those who live in the Midwest are not strangers to tornadoes—and both Nebraska and Iowa are located in the heart of Tornado Alley,” Holland said.
“While the tornado emergency system helped prevent any loss of life in the greater Omaha area, there are still hundreds of families dealing with the aftermath of massive destruction from the tornado outbreak on Friday.
“The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team crisis-trained chaplains are familiar with this type of catastrophic loss and will provide emotional and spiritual support to those affected by storms.”
Chaplains are serving alongside disaster relief organization Samaritan’s Purse. Mobile Ministry Centers are available to provide a safe haven for community members to talk and pray with chaplains.
Please pray for suffering individuals in these communities and for chaplains serving there, that they will “be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (2 Corinthians 1:4, NLT).
