Billy Graham Chaplains Deployed to Manchester to Offer Aid
- Updated May 24, 2017
A team of chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Rapid Response Team has deployed to Manchester, UK to aid those who are grieving after the terrorist attack Monday night.
The attack occurred when a suicide bomber detonated his explosive device during an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena. Twenty-two people were killed and 59 were injured. The UK is currently on high alert for other terrorist threats.
In the wake of the attack, people came together to offer comfort to those who were grieving, to offer aid to those who were still searching for family members, and to stand in solidarity with the people of Manchester.
The Billy Graham chaplains went to Manchester to join the efforts to comfort, offer aid, and meet emotional, physical, and spiritual needs.
“Responses vary from individual to individual. Primarily we are there to offer a ministry of presence,” stated Nigel Fawcett-Jones, who is leading the Rapid Response Team.
The ministry team is contacting local churches and partnering with them to help the community.
“We always make a point of linking up with church leaders – it's their place and they know it best,” said Fawcett-Jones. “But we have expertise they may not have themselves.”
Fawcett-Jones also encouraged people to pray for the people of Manchester, especially the families of the victims, some of whom were only children.
Photo: Members of the public pause to look at floral tributes and messages in St Anns Square on May 24, 2017 in Manchester, England. An explosion occurred at Manchester Arena on the evening of May 22 as concert goers were leaving the venue after Ariana Grande had performed. Greater Manchester Police are treating the explosion as a terrorist attack and have confirmed 22 fatalities and 59 injured.
Photo courtesy: Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images
Publication date: May 24, 2017
