Billy Graham Rapid Response Team Offers Training Event At Oakwood Baptist
Monday, January 14, 2013
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team – a nationwide network of crisis-trained chaplains ready to deploy whenever disaster strikes – will join with Oakwood Baptist Church of Chickamauga to host a regional training on Saturday, March 2, to prepare Christians to respond hope in times of crisis.
“You don't have to go through a hurricane or a fire to have a storm in your life,” said Jack Munday, director of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. “In these days of uncertainty, we see suffering and tragedy all around us. It could be a loved one with cancer, the death of a friend, a job loss or a divorce. As people seek answers to life's problems, it is imperative that we be able to share God's hope and comfort with them. The seminar will help prepare you to do just that.” Mr. Munday will lead the training on March 2.
The training event, ‘Sharing Hope in Crisis’ will be held at Oakwood Baptist Church, 115 Oakwood Street in Chickamauga, on Saturday, March 2 from 8 a.m to 4 p.m. Registration is $35 per person. Seminar topics include “Mission to Respond,” “Suffering and Trauma,” “Message of Hope,” “Message to Share,” “Communication to a Diverse Community,” and “Messenger to Serve.”
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team was developed by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. It has since grown into a nationwide network of chaplains in 48 states who are specifically trained to deal with crisis situations. They have deployed to more than 145 disaster sites, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
“We want to do more than just ‘be there’ when a crisis hits,” says Oakwood’s Lead Pastor Allen Farris, “At Oakwood we want to respond in a way that makes a difference.”