Christian Volunteers Are Walking the Talk in NC

Chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (RRT) are ministering to people in North Carolina (NC) who have been impacted by Hurricane Florence – and more Christian volunteers are on the way.

Speaking last week on American Family Radio, Al New with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s (BGEA) RRT of chaplains said it doesn’t matter where one looks, there’s destruction.  “Homes are flooded and homes are off their foundation,” he added.  “Presently, the number of homes that have been destroyed in New Bern alone is over 4,300 homes and over 300 businesses.  It’s widespread here and everybody in the area of New Bern is affected by this event – whether they received damage to their physical properties or not.”

New said many people are still emotionally upset and looking for answers as to why things like this happen.  “A lot of them are saying: This has never happened before [or] I’ve never seen it like this before – and our chaplains come alongside them, love on them, and give them hope that things are going to get better through Jesus Christ our Lord,” he shared.  When asked how the chaplains are holding up?, New says, “At the end of the day, we make sure we are there for each other and that’s how we refresh and recharge for the next day.”  “We debrief each other at the end of every day and share experiences.  My role is to watch and observe our chaplains during that time to make sure everybody is doing well, physically and spiritually – but if not, I’ll intervene and we’ll go another direction.”

The BGEA’s RRT is also working alongside volunteers from Samaritan’s Purse who are helping with home repairs.  “The chaplains are there to stand alongside the home owner and just administer emotional and spiritual care,” New added.

If you wish to give tax-deductible donations to either or both of these Christian organizations, here are the links on which you can make donations:

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association – https://billygraham.org/

Samaritan’s Purse - https://www.samaritanspurse.org/

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel