Community, The Braxton Democrat

Billy Graham Rapid Response Team to hold “Crisis” training at Gassaway Baptist Church

Event will prepare participants to aid those who are dealing with pain and loss
From personal tragedies like disease, suicide and financial difficulties to catastrophes on a massive scale such as shootings, fires and floods, many Christians may feel unprepared to offer comfort and hope to those who are grieving and in despair.
On March 18, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) – a nationwide network of crisis trained chaplains ready to deploy whenever disaster strikes – will hold an instructional session at Gassaway Baptist Church, titled “Sharing Hope in Crisis,” to equip Christians to help those who are suffering.
“We want people to be ready to share the compassion and love of Jesus Christ,” said Kevin Williams, manager of emergency response and logistics with the BG-RRT. “Suffering and tragedy are all around us. It could be a loved one with cancer, the death of a friend, a job loss or a divorce.
As people desperately seek answers to life’s problems, it is critical that we be able to know how to respond and share God’s hope and comfort with them. It’s important people know God loves them. The seminar will help prepare you to do just that. Will you be ready?”
The training will take place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 18, at Gassaway Baptist Church, 56 Beall Drive, Gassaway. Seminar topics include “A Biblical view of suffering,” “Effects of trauma,” “Places of grief,” “Listening skills,” “A ministry of hope,” and “What to say and what not to say.”
The event is free. For more information and to register online, please visit: www.BillyGraham.org/RRTSharingHopeinCrisis.