Unity in the Wake of

Tragedy

Mass SHOOTING in the UK - RAPID RESPONSE TEAM deploys to support local communities and churches

2nd June 2010 - The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team in the United Kingdom responded to a tragic mass shooting.

On Wednesday 2nd June 2010, a taxi driver drove his vehicle on a shooting spree in a quiet rural area of Cumbria, spreading death across 10 miles in Seascale, Whitehaven and Egremont. The gunman later shot himself. 13 people are dead and 11 are wounded in northwest England. Rapid Response Team (RRT) chaplains and pastors were on the ground assisting within 24 hours.

Witnesses say many were reeling from the trauma and that grief was widespread. This is the deadliest mass shooting in England since 1996.

An Emergency Response Briefing was organised by the Rapid Response Team (RRT) supported by local Church Leaders. This was attended by over 60 people representing at least eight churches and was held to equip local church members to support people in crisis situations. There has also been heavily expressed interest in holding a one-day Sharing Hope in Crisis (SHIC) Seminar as well as RRT returning to this district in the future to support and encourage local church communities.

There were also school visits, along with informal meetings with teachers, staff and Governors to explore a coping strategy with them.

"Thank you so much for all your prayers and thoughts for the people of West Cumbria and also our team in Copeland district of West Cumbria," said Mike Freeman, Rapid Response Team Manager for the U.K. “We have been very church- and church leader-focused. We are already seeing the fruit from relationships built over the past seven days — unity within the church.”

HELP US SHARE HOPE

Rapid Response Team deployments are just one way the BGEA reaches the lost and hurting. Please support us in prayer and financially today if you can. Is there anything more important than reaching a soul for eternity?

PLEASE PRAY:

•                for the families and friends of those who died,

•                for the wounded, their families and friends

•                for the Copeland District communities and churches

•                and for the RRT in the UK that God guides their steps and helps them
respond with wisdom and compassion.