Shock and disbelief set in for many over the weekend after—in less than 24 hours—gunmen opened fire on two separate occasions in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, leaving dozens dead and injured. Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (RRT) chaplains deployed to both cities on Sunday.
Twenty-two people ultimately died and more than two dozen were injured after the mass shooting Saturday at a popular El Paso shopping center. Several states away, residents in Dayton, Ohio, were also faced with horror as shots were fired around 1 a.m. Sunday in the city’s Oregon District, leaving nine people dead and 27 others injured.
Officers killed the lone suspect in the Ohio shooting (bringing the death toll to 10), and a suspect is in custody for the Texas shooting.
As family, friends and neighbors face the unthinkable, RRT chaplains are there to work alongside local officials, churches, first responders and others in the community to provide emotional and spiritual care.
“In this time of shock, anger, brokenness and incredible loss, we can’t imagine the pain and suffering people are feeling from this senseless act of evil,” said Jack Munday, international director of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. “Yet, we know God hasn’t forgotten them and seeks to heal the brokenhearted and bring comfort to those who grieve.”
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association President and CEO Franklin Graham also urged people to pray.
“Please join me in praying for the grieving families whose loved ones were killed today and for the nearly two dozen more who are injured and being treated in nearby hospitals,” he said late Saturday in a Facebook post about the El Paso shooting.
By Sunday morning, Graham also posted about the overnight tragedy in Dayton, asking people to continue to pray.
The Latest
Crisis-trained RRT chaplains arrived Sunday afternoon in El Paso to meet with authorities at the city’s emergency operations center. Twelve chaplains are working with local churches and organizations to see where they can assist.
Also in El Paso: the RRT Mobile Ministry Center, which is a key vehicle chaplains use during deployments that often becomes a central location for residents and law enforcement officers seeking encouragement or someone to talk to.
In addition, eight experienced chaplains are in Ohio.
Just two months ago, RRT chaplains were in Dayton after deadly tornadoes swept through the region. As a result, Munday said they already have relationships with local churches in place that could be beneficial after this latest tragedy.
Ministering in the aftermath of disasters, especially man-made ones, is emotionally taxing for chaplains. To support them, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has prayer intercessors lifting up chaplains in both cities in prayer.
How You Can Pray
Please pray for all affected by this weekend’s tragedies and first responders who are continuing to work in the aftermath, as well as for RRT chaplains responding here and in other areas.
Chaplains are still deployed to Pearland and Rockport, Texas, following Hurricane Harvey, and also to Del Rio and Laredo, Texas, where they’re ministering at refugee centers near the U.S.-Mexico border.
