CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 4, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Three weeks ago today the lives of 26 people were abruptly taken as a shooter stormed into Sandy Hook Elementary School near Newtown, Conn., and perpetrated one of the most horrific tragedies this country has ever seen. In the face of so much anguish, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team had chaplains on the ground within hours to minister to the emotional and spiritual needs of the first responders, teachers, family members and the community at-large.
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team has now officially completed its ministry in the community, having prayed with and comforted some 830 people. During the deployment, the crisis-trained chaplains had the opportunity to reach out to those who saw first-hand the tragedy inside the elementary school, as well as be a part of counseling teams set up to help the grief-stricken. They attended every funeral held in the area in support of the families, and were with the families as they collectively visited the memorial sites.
"Though the memorials have been taken down and our chaplains are heading home, I speak for all of our folks when I say that our hearts will always be with Newtown and the first responders, teachers, children and families there," said Jack Munday, international director of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team.
"Things will never be the same, but we ask you to pray as the kids return to school and the community begins to seek 'the new normal.' Most of all, please continue to pray for the families of those dear little children and the teachers and administrators who died that day. They need our prayers as much as ever."
While in the area, Munday led a grief response training attended by approximately 200 people at Calvary Church in Southbury, Conn. "Our ministry is designed to bring hope and comfort in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy, but the grief continues," said Munday. "Our prayer is that others will now be equipped to continue offering emotional and spiritual care to their neighbors, co-workers and family members long after we're gone."
Note to Media: Photos from Newtown are available for download at bit.ly/RRTNewtown.
About the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team: The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team is a nationwide network of Christian chaplains across 48 states that are specifically trained to deal with crisis situations. Since the ministry was launched in 2002, it has responded to more than 150 natural and man-made disasters, including hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires and shootings. For more information on the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, visit www.billygraham.org/rrt. For videos, photos and news articles from recent Billy Graham Rapid Response Team deployments, visit www.billygraham.org/
Christian Newswire
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