|PIC1|As news of the deadly violence at Virginia Tech began to spread across the country, Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, recognised that many students and families on the campus would find themselves lost and without hope, dealing with grief beyond comprehension.

He quickly offered the services of BGEA's Rapid Response Team, a group of trained chaplains who specialise in offering comfort in times of crisis. Several volunteer chaplains spent the following weeks spreading hope in a place where there was none.

In a first-of-its-kind programme, the next Billy Graham Television Special will delve into the work of the Rapid Response Team at Virginia Tech, as well as the horror and hope resulting from that day.

The special, to air in cities across the US from 2 to 10 June, shares the story of Maria Gillian, whose best friend Rachael Hill was killed at Virginia Tech.

"I have a hole in my heart. It's just seared there and it's never going to leave, because I miss her so much," says Maria. "But God's grace has been unspeakable, because He's just come and filled my life so much with His grace and His love. I can feel His arms just wrapped around me."

Also in the programme, Columbine survivor Crystal Woodman-Miller tells her own story of deadly school violence, and how God has used her since that tragic day to help pull others through their own personal circumstances.

Several others intimately woven into the fabric of Virginia Tech tell their versions of the events that took place on campus, as well as how they kept their hope throughout the tragedy.

Student Bill Jones, who lost a classmate and a personal friend in the massacre, says, "I only knew two of them. I don't know the personal faith of all the other ones. But you sit there and you can't help but wonder: how many of them knew Jesus? How many knew?"

"Knowing Jesus makes a difference because it gives me hope," says Sandy Violand, whose son Clay miraculously survived the shooting in his classroom. "Hope that no matter whether we live or die, that we will live in eternity with Him. I can't imagine going through life not having that.

"With all of the horrible things that happen in the world - not only here at Virginia Tech, but all over the world - we have to believe that there's another place for all of us."

The June Billy Graham Television Special also features comforting music from Selah, Casting Crowns and the Tommy Coomes Band, along with a sermon on the love of Christ amid tragedy preached by Billy Graham just one month after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

For more information please visit www.billygraham.org/tv