After Hurricane Helene killed more than 200 people across six southern states last year, Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains deployed to some of the hardest-hit communities.
In the chaos, shock, and grief-filled months that followed, the team offered a listening ear, a ministry of presence, and the comfort of Jesus Christ.
Working in Buncombe County, North Carolina—where more than 40 people died—chaplain Matt Partington saw many people embrace the lasting hope and peace that Jesus Christ offers as they endured one of the most painful times of their lives.
John* is one of those people.
After his mother’s and stepmother’s homes were both damaged in the storm, he was working hard to help them recover when relief volunteers stepped in to help—and Matt stopped by to check in.
Matt, a retired Marine, noticed John’s U.S. Marine veteran baseball cap.
“Semper Fi, Marine,” said Matt as the two struck up a conversation about their service in the military.
John shared his desire to look after his mom and stepmom, but injuries from his years of combat made it difficult to help.
“It was just too much for him to handle,” said Matt.
As volunteers cleaned up the debris and fallen trees around them, John opened up to Matt about the storm that had been battering him long before Helene ever hit—emotional trauma from his military deployments.
John explained that shortly after he returned from overseas in 2005, his dad died.
“He felt a heavy responsibility to take care of both his mom and stepmom, and seeing them both go through the storm was just really weighing on him,” said Matt.
The trauma from combat caused him to have trouble sleeping and led to other stress-related symptoms.
After listening with empathy to his fellow Marine, Matt asked him where he found peace in his struggles.
“He was a very thoughtful guy so he paused to think about all that,” Matt noted. “He said he tried to take care of his family and do the right thing but just didn’t have peace.”
A counselor once told John to go to church to help deal with the trauma, so John checked out a few churches in his area but never settled into one.
When Matt asked John if he’d like to talk more about his faith journey and how he could find the peace he lacked, he said yes.
Over the course of an hourlong conversation, Matt took John through “Steps to Peace With God”—a small booklet about how Jesus Christ can renew your heart, mind, and life.
“I care about you, man, and just want to be able to share this with you,” he told John as he gently presented the Gospel message.
John listened intently. After Matt shared with him the Good News about how he could have relationship with Christ, he asked if that’s something John would welcome into his life.
Not wanting to wait any longer to have the peace that is found only in Jesus, John prayed to surrender his life to the Lord.
“Hey, we got a new brother in Christ,” Matt announced as he and John approached the volunteer group. Shouts and cheers erupted from across the yard, and John got lots of hugs from volunteers as they rejoiced together over his newfound faith.
“We presented a Bible to him and told him how much he was loved and cared for,” said Matt.
John’s stepmom—a Christian—looked on with joy.
“She was definitely all smiles about him coming to Christ,” said Matt.
Although it’s been months since Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the South, hundreds of people are still in the throes of this tragedy and life will never be the same. Please pray for them as they continue to seek healing from the deep pain and loss brought on by the storm.
*Name and photo changed for privacy