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RAPID RESPONSE TEAM


What is the RRT?

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team exists to provide emotional and spiritual care to those who are walking through their darkest days. We have a nationwide database of trained chaplains who are ready to deploy at a moment’s notice in response to natural and man-made disaster. We also offer training to those who wish to bring comfort to their own communities.


RRT training

Sharing Hope in Crisis Seminar »

Purpose of this one day seminar
  • Learn how to appropriately provide emotional & spiritual care
  • Teach ministry skills to share God’s love & comfort
  • Help churches develop ministry to those in crisis within their community
  • Introduce RRT chaplain ministry opportunities

Seminar Topics

  • A Mission to Respond
  • A Ministry of Hope
  • A Message To Share
  • A Messenger to Serve
  • A Model for Ministry To Respond


Schedule:

August 29
Pathway Community Church
Ft. Wayne, IN
Register: Beginning July 1st
Church website: www.pathwaycommunity.org
Church Phone: (260) 469-4444

October 3
First Baptist Church
Wylie, Texas
Register: Beginning July 1st email Debra Tobolka debra@fbcwylie.org
Church website: www.fbcwylie.org

October 9-10
Bethlehem Baptist Church
Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
Register: Beginning July 1st
Church website: www.hopeingod.org
Church Phone: (612) 455-3439

October 17
Westover Church
Greensboro, NC
Register: Beginning July 1st (336) 299-7374 x3042 or breitz@westoverchurch.com
Church website: www.westoverchurch.com

Host:
If you are interested in hosting a seminar, please call the RRT Training Manager at (704) 401-2484 9-:4:30 EST M-F or email mberesford@bgea.org We encourage churches or organizations to see this as a regional event and to invite others.



His Presence in Crisis Regional Training »

Purpose of this one and a half day seminar:
  • Advanced training offering a biblical understanding of trauma and grief
  • Learn how to appropriately share hope in times of crisis
  • Introduce RRT chaplain ministry opportunities
Speakers:
  • Dr. Jonathan Olford, president, Crisis and Consultation Services
  • Leadership of the Rapid Response Team
Seminar Topics:
  • The Arena of Trauma
  • Characteristics of the Responder
  • Ministry of the Responder
  • The Care of the Caregiver
  • RRT Ministry Introduction


Schedule:

September 11-12
Biola University
La Mirada, CA
Register: spiritual.life@biola.edu

Host: If you are interested in hosting a seminar, please call the RRT Training Manager at (704) 401-2484 9-:4:30 EST M-F or email mberesford@bgea.org We encourage churches or organizations to see this as a regional event and to invite others.


Chaplain Training Conference at the Cove »

Purpose of this four day seminar:
  • Learn about deployment opportunities with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team ministry
  • Learn how to prepare for disaster
  • Learn how to appropriately share God’s hope in times of crisis
  • Complete one of the following International Critical Incident Stress Foundation courses:
    1. Emotional and Spiritual Care
    2. Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention
    3. Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support
    4. Pastoral Crisis and Intervention II
    5. Group Crisis Intervention
    6. CISM Application with Children

Schedule:

June 15-18
Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove
Asheville, NC
Register: (828) 298-2092 or toll free (800) 950-2092
Website: Event Info






RRT Deployments

See RRT's deployments to various disaster situations:

 Hurricane Response
 Flood Response
 Wildfire Response
 Tornado Response
 Shootings
 Cyclones
 Bridge Collapse
 Country Violence

Chaplain info

How to get involved:

  • Fill out the Volunteer Chaplain Application Online
  • Download the Volunteer Chaplain Application now
Resources:
  • RRT Ministry Information and Policies
  • Critical Incident Stress Management Course Descriptions
  • Steps to Peace with God
  • FAQ about becoming an RRT Chaplain

Testimonials

“I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate the BGEA chaplains. They have really been a godsend. The Care and Comfort Center concept has worked out great here. The students know what the ‘blue shirts’ are about and there is a level of trust that is great. Again, words can't express how much we appreciate the BGEA chaplains.”

Paul Deschenes, Psy.D.
Director of Counseling Services
Union University


“Following the Virginia Tech shootings, I was given comfort and direction for dealing with my loss from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. They came to me to comfort me and lift me up, and they performed those duties with great professionalism.”

Neal Turner
Virginia Emergency Services Coordinator
Blacksburg, VA


“This training is what our church needs to move us, not only into our community, but organize us to deploy nationally..”

Calvary Chapel Pastor
Kentucky


“Our church is so grateful for the material and the spirit in which you gave it. You did an outstanding job in being very caring and pastoral. The material was great and thought provoking and I feel that we walked away better equipped to handle the situations we find ourselves in.”

Mark Jones

Your gift will enable us to deploy trained volunteers who can bring God's hope in the middle of devastating loss.
Billy Graham TV Special - Rapid Response Team
The RRT travels to Lone Grove, OK to offer hope and help
Tenth Avenue North helps raise awareness about the RRT
Franklin explains the history and purpose of the RRT
Hear this story of hope from Ron Singleton
Chaplains Arrive in Flood-Ravaged North Dakota
Providing Comfort to New York Shooting Victims
Rapid Response Team Deploys to Flooded Missouri
Rapid Response Teams Deploys in Aftermath of Australian Bushfires
Rapid Response Team Deploys To A Deadly Twister In Oklahoma
RRT Plays Key Role in Myanmar
Online Chaplain Application
Volunteer Chaplain Application
RRT Ministry Information and Policies
Critical Incident Stress Management Course Descriptions
Steps to Peace
FAQ about becoming an RRT Chaplain
Gift catalog Make an eternal difference in 2009 »