Trainings I Offer
Trauma-Informed Churches
Christians know that we live in a broken world. Every single day, we see evidence on the news and on social media that reminds us that sin breaks things and causes suffering. While we have the hope of Jesus and the promise that God will make all things new, we are not immune to experiencing suffering here on Earth.
The reality is that one out of every five of your church body is very likely experiencing mental health difficulties. One out of every five of your parishioners has probably experienced some form of sexual abuse. At any given time, seven percent of your church is actively suffering from the effects of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. As awareness of trauma and its effects continues to grow, the number of people asking you to walk alongside them in healing is going to grow.
Trauma-informed churches are spaces where hurting people can safely worship, participate in community, and receive support from believers all while walking with God on a healing journey. My goal is to come into your church and give you an overview on types of trauma, how it affects individuals and communities, and how your church can respond to those experiencing trauma - all through a Biblical worldview. While you may not feel equipped about how to talk about these things with your church body, I can help you get there! I help you know how to support those affected by the suffering that affects everyday life and faith formation, when to bring in outside help, and how to navigate the resources available in your area.
Domestic Violence for Church & Ministries
As believers, we like to think that our fellow churchgoers or ministry leaders are somehow unaffected by statistics about how common domestic abuse is in the world. We see so many loving, complementary relationships - there’s no way that there’s a real problem here! We have Jesus! I’ve had pastors tell me: “Abuse just really isn’t common here, so I’m not sure how necessary a training or a response plan is.”
However, research done in the United States shows that domestic violence and abusive relationships are just as common in the Church as it is outside of the Church. One out of every four marriages and relationships in your church are likely abusive and possibly dangerous, requiring staff and leaders in your church to be equipped on how to respond to safety concerns and how to support survivors of domestic abuse. But how do you support people when you don’t even know what domestic abuse is or what it isn’t? What are the legal requirements in your area for reporting abuse? What resources are available to help survivors and perpetrators of abuse - especially from a biblical worldview?
That’s where I come in. I help churches and ministries train their teams on domestic violence, as well as formulate their response plans for supporting families walking through domestic abuse. I’d love to come alongside your team, guiding your staff and leaders in supporting the vulnerable, hurting survivors (and even the perpetrators) in your pews.
Trauma-Informed Children’s Ministry
Children’s ministry leaders, workers, and volunteers interact with children who are hurting every time they are in the classroom. Whether we know that the children in our classrooms have trauma or we are in the dark about what's happening in their homes, we do know that our interactions with the children in our ministries are foundational building blocks to their brain development, faith formation, and sense of self. The way that we respond to children acting out of hurt can either help them feel welcome and safe, gaining their trust and improving classroom behavior, or can trigger them into feeling unsafe and impact their ability to learn about the hope found in Jesus.
A trauma-informed children’s ministry welcomes vulnerable children into their rooms and programs, week after week, slowly breaking down the barriers that prevent these children from engaging in the classroom setting so they can begin to find healing, hope, and restoration in Christ. A TICM incorporates the core elements of trauma-informed care into their ministry, stays engaged in education about trauma-informed practices, equips caregivers to disciple their children through hardship, and consults experts for matters in which they are not the expert.
Training our leaders and our volunteers on how to manage difficult behaviors, navigate hard conversations, and support children and caregivers is an overwhelming task. It’s hard enough to get your volunteers together as it is. Plus, you’re likely not the expert in this, and where do you even start in training people on trauma? And how essential is this to having a child protection program or creating a safe space for hurting kids? That’s where I come in, with my expertise, training, and experience in children’s ministry with children from hard places - giving you practical tools for managing behaviors and supporting both hurting children and their overwhelmed caregivers.
