Knowing that the locals of Paris, France may still be fearful of their physical security because of the terror attacks that occurred last Friday, Reverend Franklin Graham has sent a team of six French-speaking, crisis-trained chaplains to the French capital to provide care and support to those who need it.
Jack Munday, the international director of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, said the team will be working directly with a church in Paris and three other Christian organisations, according to Charisma News.
This will be the first internationally coordinated relief effort by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) since the massive 2010 Haiti earthquake.
"This has been reported as the worst tragedy in France since World War II," Munday said of the recent attacks on Parisians. "We want to encourage them, let them know we're here to support them."
Their main goal is to inspire faith among Paris locals that God is still with them despite the tragedy that occurred. "We'll be there for the people on the streets, the storekeepers, the café workers to listen and provide comfort," Munday said. "They need to know that God loves them and hasn't forgotten them."
Meanwhile, Graham has condemned the attack reportedly instigated by the Islamic State (ISIS) and is seeking more prayers for the people of France who desperately need it.
"Join me in praying for the French people, all those injured and the loved ones of the victims of these barbaric attacks," he said.
The BGEA ministry in Paris included four evangelistic crusades, with the most recent one held back in 1986. The BGEA Internet evangelism ministry, on the other hand, has tied up with Paris-based website Jesus.net since 2011.
