The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team of crisis-trained chaplains has staff on the ground in Birmingham, Ala., assessing the damage from the historic tornadoes that took dozens of lives and ministering to those who were affected.

“The swath of devastation that has ripped through the South and brought
so much death and destruction is stunning,” says Preston Parrish,
executive vice president of ministry at Billy Graham Evangelistic Associaiton. “The overwhelming sense of
loss — for those who lost their homes, and especially for those who
lost loved ones — will be nearly unbearable for many. We want those
suffering to know that Christ cares for them, that we are praying for
them, and we will be standing beside them.”

Chaplains will address the emotional and spiritual needs of tornado survivors in and around Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. According to news reports, there are more than 160 confirmed casualties in Alabama.

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team deployed in coordination with Samaritan’s Purse, the international Christian relief organization headed by Franklin Graham, who is also president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team of crisis-trained chaplains is being dispatched to four areas of North Carolina that have been hit hard by the tornadoes that roared through the state over the weekend. More than 20 people were killed in eastern North Carolina, with more than 100 injured and tens of millions of dollars in damage, according to news reports.

The chaplains will be working in and around the areas of Raleigh, Fayetteville, Sanford and Windsor, N.C. Windsor is the county seat of the devastated Bertie County. This marks the second deployment to Windsor in seven months, following a deployment last October after floods from Tropical Storm Nicole swamped the town of 3,000.

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team is deploying in coordination with Samaritan’s Purse, the international Christian relief organization headed by Franklin Graham, who is also president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).

“All of us have been stunned at how quickly homes, possessions, businesses and most tragically, precious lives-have been lost. In the blink of an eye, so many people have been plunged into grief and crisis,” says Preston Parrish, executive vice president of ministry at BGEA. “Our hearts ache with the victims of this storm right here in our home state, and we are working to come alongside them with the hope and comfort of Christ.”

Check out this video on a miracle baby that survived being blown away by the deadly North Carolina tornadoes:

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