The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is ministering in Madison, Wisconsin, following Monday’s shooting at Abundant Life Christian School that claimed the lives of one student and one teacher and injured several others.
The shooter—a 15-year-old girl who was a student there—opened fire in a classroom, prompting a second grader at the school to call 911. Madison police Chief Shon Barnes said the shooter was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene and died en route to the hospital.
Abundant Life is a private school serving kindergarten through 12th grade.
“The heartbreaking news that the lives of two individuals were senselessly taken is incomprehensible, especially as we head into Christmastime,” said Josh Holland, international director of BG-RRT. “The families of those killed and injured will never be the same, but we want them to know that they are not alone. Crisis-trained chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team will be there to provide comfort and prayer to the community that has been shattered by this horrific event.”
In addition to the Madison deployment, chaplains are helping provide emotional and spiritual care in areas of North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) was founded by Billy Graham in 1950 and exists to support and extend the evangelistic calling and ministry of Franklin Graham by proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Franklin Graham, President of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), reacted to the news of the shooting on Tuesday, calling Christians to join him in prayer for the community.
“Would you join me in praying for the injured and for the families of those who died yesterday in a shooting at a K-12 Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin?” Graham implored. “It is heartbreaking. Not all of the details have been released at this point, but we know this community needs our prayers, including the first responders.”
“We have deployed the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains to be there and on hand to help minister to the hurting,” he detailed.
