Chaplaincy FAQ

What is the mission of the Rapid Response Team?
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team exists to recruit, train and deploy Chaplains to disaster areas to offer God’s compassion and hope through Jesus Christ to those affected by a man-made or natural disaster.

What is unique about the Rapid Response Team?

• BG RRT is part of a globally recognized ministry
• It is non-denominational, thereby widely accepted
• It provides Emotional and Spiritual Care from a Biblical perspective along with clinical understanding
• Cadre of chaplains specifically trained in crisis intervention in the disaster setting
• Scope of church and ministry relationships globally
• Provides applicable training for the local church as well as for chaplains
• Supported in prayer by a global prayer network

Who would make a good chaplain?
Rapid Response Team Chaplains are to be selfless people who are emotionally and spiritually mature and able to share God’s hope and comfort with survivors of tragedies. If not already trained in chaplaincy or crisis intervention, approved applicants will have two years to complete 3 training courses.. Chaplains are also to be solidly grounded in God’s Word and comfortable praying, when appropriate, with survivors.

What kind of training should chaplains have?
The RRT requires three training classes. In addition to a required RRT seminar, (Sharing Hope in Crisis, 2 CISM courses (Critical Incident Stress Management) offered by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) are required.

Where do I get the CISM training?
In additional to theses courses being offered at the annual RRT Chaplain Training Conference, they can also be completed through ICISF (www.icisf.org), local Fire and Police Chaplains often know the local class offerings or the local Salvation Army. CISM classes also follow the Sharing Hope in Crisis training within 6 months at locations around the country.

How do I apply to be a chaplain?
Every candidate must complete a Chaplain Application Packet, which is downloadable on the website. References listed on the application form will be contacted. Please note that completing a training (CISM or Rapid Response Team training) does not automatically guarantee your acceptance as a Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplain.

What questions are the references asked?

• How long have you known the applicant?
• What is your relationship to the applicant?
• How strong do you feel the applicant's relationship is with the Lord in the areas of prayer How spiritually mature is the applicant? (scale from 1 - 10)
• How comfortable or effective is the applicant with sharing their faith or leading someone to Christ? (scale 1 - 10)
• How would you rate the applicant as a servant? (scale from 1 - 10)
• Is the applicant involved in a church?
• Have you worked with the applicant on a team, committee or small group in a non-leadership role?
• Is the applicant able to take direction from or be submissive to the leadership of others?
• Is the applicant flexible and able to quickly adapt to changing agendas or circumstances?
• Has the applicant been on any mission trips inside or outside the US where evangelism is the focus?  Where?
• Do you know of anything from a physical or emotional perspective that would hinder active participation?
• Is the applicant punctual, and dependable?
• Would you consider the applicant to be honoring and respectful to his family & others?
• If you could only choose 3 people to go on a missions trip with you, would this applicant come to mind?
• Do you have any reservations about recommending the applicant to serve with the Billy Graham RRT?

Are chaplains paid?
Chaplains serve on a volunteer basis as they are able. This is not a paid position.

Do you furnish room and board while on a deployment?
Room and board are furnished to chaplains who deploy with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. In physical disasters (fires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.), this usually entails sleeping on cots in schools or churches.

Do you pay for transportation to a deployment site?
No, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team does not pay for transportation to or from a deployment site. For this reason, we try to bring in chaplains from within a 200-mile radius of a disaster if possible.

What are the conditions in which chaplains are ministering?
Every deployment is different, based upon the type of disaster and the severity of the devastation. Chaplains can expect long days of standing and walking, and emotionally and spiritually intense conversations with survivors of tragedies. Chaplains can also expect opportunities to bring hope and love into the lives of people who are going through some of the darkest days they will ever experience. The introduction of the Chaplain Application Packet outlines the expectations.

Will I be all by myself when I deploy?
No, a trained and experienced chaplain coordinator will be on-site to guide volunteer chaplains and lead them through an orientation. Chaplains are sent out to minister in pairs.

How am I notified of a deployment?
When a deployment occurs, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team will send an e-mail to their entire network of chaplains, notifying them of the deployment and asking for prayer. The Chaplains are also asked for their availability during the expected duration of the deployment.

What are the benefits of being a Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplain?
Thanks to the name and reputation of Mr. Graham and the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, we are able to bring chaplains into disaster areas that most people wouldn’t be able to get into on their own. If you have a burden to offer hope in the midst of tragedy, your best chance of being able to minister in these areas is as an approved member of an established chaplaincy organization such as the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. Another benefit is what it brings you in your daily Christian walk and in your ability to minister in the local congregation.