Billy Graham Rapid Response chaplains have deployed to London following Saturday night’s terror attack, and begun engaging with people in the London Bridge area.
Just after 10 pm on Saturday a white van rammed pedestrians on London Bridge. Three men jumped out and began stabbing members of the public in pubs and restaurants in Borough Market. Seven people have died and 48 are injured, 21 of them critically.
“We continue to see the world unravel in many different areas,” said Jack Munday, international director of the Rapid Response Team. “Every day on the news, an incident like this just reminds us that there’s great opportunity to share Christ knowing that He is the One and the only One we can depend on. He is the certainty in times of uncertainty, and He never changes.”
Nigel Fawcett-Jones is heading up the team of chaplains that will be offering emotional and spiritual care in the aftermath of the tragedy.
“Often at times like this, we have a ministry of presence, just being with people, just letting them know we’re standing with them and supporting them,” he said. “My personal view is that Jesus is relevant to every situation, and the Gospel tells us that we are expected to respond and support those in need.”
The Rapid Response Team is working in partnership with a strong, Bible-believing church close to London Bridge, which will be able to provide long-term support for people affected by the attack.
Among the injured is a British Transport Police officer who was commended for bravery after taking on the three armed terrorists with just a baton. He received stab wounds in face, head and leg, but is now in a stable condition.
This is the eighth time in 16 months that the chaplains have responded to a terror incident in Europe.