Trauma Healing – Initial Equipping

Trauma is part of the human experience in a broken world. It can arise when one is overwhelmed with intense fear, helplessness and horror. It can stem from personal issues, such as the loss of a loved one or divorce; from large-scale devastation like natural disaster or from global crisis such as COVID-19 pandemic. Trauma destroys hope, shatters dignity and isolates one from self, others and God.

How does one recover from trauma? Can the Bible help? What can the Church do?

Trauma Healing (from Trauma Healing Institute of the American Bible Society) is our response to these questions by combining proven mental health practices with the wisdom of the Bible to bring restoration and hope to the broken-hearted. In God’s Word, trauma survivors can encounter the resurrection power of Christ.

If you are a church or ministry leader, a missionary or someone who has the heart to help trauma sufferers, join us for part one of a 2-part programme today!

Programme Structure

Initial Equipping ⇒ Practicum ⇒ Advanced Equipping

Initial Equipping
ScheduleWed– Sat, 27–30 Jan 2021
Time9am-5pm
Fees$380 (early bird price till 3 Jan) | $420 (from 4 Jan)
Venue7 Armenian Street, Bible House, S179932

UPDATE:
*Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, limited seats will be available.

Before registering, please:

  1. Read the Detailed Course Information below,
  2. Download the Statement of Support,
  3. Have it signed by your church leadership or Christian organisation supervisor, and
  4. Email it to Florence Kang.

Please note: Registration will only be confirmed upon receipt of the online registration, payment AND the signed Statement of Support.

Detailed Course Information

Sower Institute for Biblical Discipleship, in partnership with Trauma Healing Institute (THI), aims to provide leadership and services to churches and organisations using God’s word to bring healing and restoration to trauma survivors.

THI’s trauma healing programme provides basic mental health concepts with a biblical framework, using Scripture passages and composite real-life stories to help traumatised people connect the teaching with their circumstances.

Topics Covered
  • If God loves us, why do we suffer?
  • How can the wounds of our hearts be healed?
  • What happens when someone is grieving?
  • Taking your pain to the cross
  • How can we forgive others?
  • How can churches minister amidst various causes of trauma (domestic violence, suicide, etc.)?
  • How can we live as Christians amidst conflict?
  • Looking ahead


How the Programme Works
The programme consists of four components: Part I, a Practicum, Part II and a competency-based assessment.

1. Part I: Initial Equipping Session. Candidates attend a 3.5 day Initial Equipping session which allows participants to: explore their own trauma and bring it to Christ for healing; experience participatory learning; learn basic biblical and mental health principles related to trauma care; and develop plans for using what they have learned in their community. Trauma healing facilitators aim to ‘do no harm’ to those they help. To this end, participants are evaluated through a simple test.

2. Practicum. Participants return to their communities and apply what they have learned. They need to teach the five core lessons at least twice to groups of at least three people and send in reports on their activities.

3. Part II: Advanced Equipping Session. This 3-day session (conducted 6 or 9 months after the Initial Equipping session) focuses on consolidating the facilitator’s competencies in view of their practicum experience.

4. Competency-based assessment. Participants will be certified when they demonstrate the following competencies:

  • Able to manage personal well-being.
  • Able to work on a team.
  • Able to help traumatised people (listening, confidentiality, and so on).
  • Able to lead groups in a participatory way.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the content.

5. Certification and Deployment. At the end of the advanced session, participants are awarded a Certificate of Participation, or, for those who qualify, a facilitator-in-training Certificate. For some, these certificates may be awarded later when the competencies have been acquired.


Who should attend?
This programme is intended for Christians who would like to explore becoming a trauma healing facilitator so that they can provide basic care for those wounded by trauma and loss, or train others to do so.

Requirements:

  • Able to teach others in a community.
  • Able to attend all of the sessions.
  • Committed to helping trauma survivors.
  • Must be referred by church leadership or Christian organisation supervisor who must sign the Statement of Support.

About the Trainer

Belinda Ng

Belinda Ng has been a missionary with Serving In Mission (SIM) since 1977. After 12 years in Niger, she served as Personnel Director with SIM East Asia for 16 years. Since then she serves as Member Care and MK Education Consultant in the International Office before returning to Singapore to continue with this role in the Pastoral Care team in SIM East Asia.

Carol Lim Seok Lin

Carol has a passion to serve God through helping people with challenges lead a more meaningful life. Trained as a special needs educator and equipped with a Masters in Special Education, she has more than three decades of experience in Singapore and overseas.



Trauma Healing Initial Equipping

Calling all church and ministry leaders, missionaries, social workers, mental wellness professionals, and everyone who is keen on learning how to help trauma victims.

Trauma Healing — Initial Equipping is the first part of a 2-part Bible-based Trauma Healing Programme from the Trauma Healing Institute at American Bible Society. It equips churches and individuals to care for people who suffer emotional and spiritual injuries from traumatic events such as abuse, conflict and loss, and walk with them on a journey to healing and restoration with God and with others.

Initial Equipping
ScheduleWed– Sat, 27–30 Jan 2021
Time9am-5pm
Fees$380 (early bird price till 3 Jan) | $420 (from 4 Jan)
Venue7 Armenian Street, Bible House, S179932

Registration closes on 9 October!

Before registering, please:

  1. Read the Detailed Course Information below,
  2. Download the Statement of Support,
  3. Have it signed by your church leadership or Christian organisation supervisor, and
  4. Email it to Florence Kang.

Please note: Registration will only be confirmed upon receipt of the online registration, payment AND the signed Statement of Support.

Detailed Course Information

Sower Institute for Biblical Discipleship, in partnership with Trauma Healing Institute (THI), aims to provide leadership and services to churches and organisations using God’s word to bring healing and restoration to trauma survivors.

THI’s trauma healing programme provides basic mental health concepts with a biblical framework, using Scripture passages and composite real-life stories to help traumatised people connect the teaching with their circumstances.

Topics Covered
  • If God loves us, why do we suffer?
  • How can the wounds of our hearts be healed?
  • What happens when someone is grieving?
  • Taking your pain to the cross
  • How can we forgive others?
  • How can churches minister amidst various causes of trauma (domestic violence, suicide, etc.)?
  • How can we live as Christians amidst conflict?
  • Looking ahead


How the Programme Works
The programme consists of four components: Part I, a Practicum, Part II and a competency-based assessment.

1. Part I: Initial Equipping Session. Candidates attend a 3.5 day Initial Equipping session which allows participants to: explore their own trauma and bring it to Christ for healing; experience participatory learning; learn basic biblical and mental health principles related to trauma care; and develop plans for using what they have learned in their community. Trauma healing facilitators aim to ‘do no harm’ to those they help. To this end, participants are evaluated through a simple test.

2. Practicum. Participants return to their communities and apply what they have learned. They need to teach the five core lessons at least twice to groups of at least three people and send in reports on their activities.

3. Part II: Advanced Equipping Session. This 3-day session (conducted 6 or 9 months after the Initial Equipping session) focuses on consolidating the facilitator’s competencies in view of their practicum experience.

4. Competency-based assessment. Participants will be certified when they demonstrate the following competencies:

  • Able to manage personal well-being.
  • Able to work on a team.
  • Able to help traumatised people (listening, confidentiality, and so on).
  • Able to lead groups in a participatory way.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the content.

5. Certification and Deployment. At the end of the advanced session, participants are awarded a Certificate of Participation, or, for those who qualify, a facilitator-in-training Certificate. For some, these certificates may be awarded later when the competencies have been acquired.


Who should attend?
This programme is intended for Christians who would like to explore becoming a trauma healing facilitator so that they can provide basic care for those wounded by trauma and loss, or train others to do so.

Requirements:

  • Able to teach others in a community.
  • Able to attend all of the sessions.
  • Committed to helping trauma survivors.
  • Must be referred by church leadership or Christian organisation supervisor who must sign the Statement of Support.

About the Trainer

Ps Shannon Chan Mei Ming

A nurse turned pastor, Mei Ming was formerly the Minister of Cell Groups at the International Baptist Church and also the Associate Pastor of Leng Kwang Baptist Church. She is currently serving at Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church.

Carol Lim Seok Lin

Carol has a passion to serve God through helping people with challenges lead a more meaningful life. Trained as a special needs educator and equipped with a Masters in Special Education, she has more than three decades of experience in Singapore and overseas.



Trauma Healing Programme

The programme provides basic mental health concepts within a biblical framework—using Scripture passages and real-life stories to help people connect the teaching with their circumstances.

DATE AND TIME:
Saturday, 13 April 2024 at 10am–1pm

VENUE:
Bible House, 7 Armenian Street S179932

This seminar delves into the societal repercussions of trauma, pathways to healing, and how we can integrate Biblical principles with mental health practices to bring hope to those affected by trauma.

DATE AND TIME:
16–19 April 2024 at 9am–5pm

VENUE:
Bible House, 7 Armenian Street S179932

The proven model of the Trauma Healing Institute uses applied Scripture and mental health principles to address spiritual and emotional wounds caused by trauma of war, violence, natural disasters, and abuse.

DATE AND TIME:
22–26 April 2024 at 9am–5pm

VENUE:
Bible House, 7 Armenian Street S179932



Trauma Healing Initial Equipping

Calling out all church and ministry leaders, social workers, mental wellness professionals, and everyone who is keen on learning how to be trauma healing caregivers or facilitators!

Trauma Healing – Initial Equipping is the first part of a Bible-based Trauma Healing Programme from the Trauma Healing Institute at American Bible Society. It equips churches and individuals to care for people who suffer emotional and spiritual injuries from traumatic events such as abuse, conflict and loss, and walk with them on a journey to healing and restoration with God and others.

Initial Equipping
ScheduleWed– Sat, 27–30 Jan 2021
Time9am-5pm
Fees$380 (early bird price till 3 Jan) | $420 (from 4 Jan)
Venue7 Armenian Street, Bible House, S179932

*by invitation only for those who have completed the Initial Equipping and practicum

Registration extended to Sunday, 9 September!

Before registering, please:

  1. read the Detailed Course Information below,
  2. download the Statement of Support,
  3. have it signed by your church leadership or Christian organisation supervisor, and
  4. email it to Florence Kang.

Please note: Registration will only be confirmed upon receipt of the online registration, payment AND the signed Statement of Support.

Detailed Course Information

Sower Institute for Biblical Discipleship, in partnership with Trauma Healing Institute (THI), aims to provide leadership and services to churches and organisations using God’s word to bring healing and restoration to trauma survivors.

THI’s trauma healing programme provides basic mental health concepts with a biblical framework, using Scripture passages and composite real-life stories to help traumatised people connect the teaching with their circumstances.

Topics Covered
  • If God loves us, why do we suffer?
  • How can the wounds of our hearts be healed?
  • What happens when someone is grieving?
  • Taking your pain to the cross
  • How can we forgive others?
  • How can churches minister amidst various causes of trauma (domestic violence, suicide, etc.)?
  • How can we live as Christians amidst conflict?
  • Looking ahead

How the Programme Works
The programme consists of four components: Part I, a Practicum, Part II and a competency-based assessment.

1. Part I: Initial Equipping Session. Candidates attend a 3.5 day Initial Equipping session which allows participants to: explore their own trauma and bring it to Christ for healing; experience participatory learning; learn basic biblical and mental health principles related to trauma care; and develop plans for using what they have learned in their community. Trauma healing facilitators aim to ‘do no harm’ to those they help. To this end, participants are evaluated through a simple test.

2. Practicum. Participants return to their communities and apply what they have learned. They need to teach the five core lessons at least twice to groups of at least three people and send in reports on their activities.

3. Part II: Advanced Equipping Session. This 3-day session (conducted 6 or 9 months after the Initial Equipping session) focuses on consolidating the facilitator’s competencies in view of their practicum experience.

4. Competency-based assessment. Participants will be certified when they demonstrate the following competencies:

  • Able to manage personal well-being.
  • Able to work on a team.
  • Able to help traumatised people (listening, confidentiality, and so on).
  • Able to lead groups in a participatory way.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the content.

 
5. Certification and Deployment. At the end of the advanced session, participants are awarded a Certificate of Participation, or, for those who qualify, a facilitator-in-training Certificate. For some, these certificates may be awarded later when the competencies have been acquired.

Who should attend?
This programme is intended for Christians who would like to explore becoming a trauma healing facilitator so that they can provide basic care for those wounded by trauma and loss, or train others to do so.
Requirements:

  • Able to teach others in a community.
  • Able to attend all of the sessions.
  • Committed to helping trauma survivors.
  • Must be referred by church leadership or Christian organisation supervisor who must sign the Statement of Support.

About the Trainer

Jessica Ariela is a Master Facilitator with Trauma Healing Institute. Jessica holds a license as professional counsellor in Illinois. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH), Indonesia, and her master’s degree from Wheaton College, IL, in Clinical Mental Health Counselling. Her passion in education has led her to extensive experience in school as well as working with children and adolescents. She also has counselling and psychotherapy experience in USA and Thailand, where she handled cases of trauma, anxiety, as well as family and marital problems. Jessica is currently continuing her passion in education through teaching as a full-time lecturer in Psychology Department, Universitas Pelita Harapan, and is a board member of Indonesian Counseling Association (ICA).



Life-Changing Impact of the Bible

This article was first published in the December 2013 issue of Word@Work.

Since Rev Dr Robert Morrison’s request for 1,000 Chinese New Testaments to be sent and distributed amongst Singaporeans in 1823, the Bible mission work has continued to impact the lives of Singaporeans who receive and read God’s Word.

When God’s Word is sowed into the hearts of people who need its life-changing power, there is a great harvest.

The gospel is capable of changing even the most hard-core offenders. Here is a testimony of an ex-offender whose life was completely transformed after reading the Bible:

“Years ago, I was involved in a gang clash with two seriously injured and one killed, and was sentenced to prison.

I felt hopeless, suicidal and cried out to idols, but there was no response. I was surrounded by enemies, two of whom became Christians and started reading their Bibles. They stopped smoking and using foul language. I was amazed and wanted to know their Jesus.

I was then transferred to Changi Prison, where one of my cellmates had a Bible. Immediately I asked his permission to read it. After reading Matthew 5:33-37, I was convicted of my sins…I had done nothing good. The Word gave me consolation… I saw Jesus shedding His blood to redeem my life. I prayed to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour right away.

I now feel peace and joy flooding my soul, because I have become a child of God.”

The power of God’s Word is able to capture the hearts of those who have turned towards chasing material wealth and idols, as evident in this testimony.

Chua was a success according to material standards, so much that money had become his master. One day, he had a serious motor accident which left him partially paralysed and gave him a bad case of gastric ulcers. This incident caused Chua to start pondering the true meaning of life for the first time, and he began to explore various religions and cults, burning incense and candles to idols for success.

However, the secret of true peace and joy continued to elude Chua, until he was given a Bible by a fellow businessman he met.

In his own words, Chua said, “God had laid it on my heart to read His Word… I met Jesus in the gospel of John. I cried and asked God to forgive my sins…With tears pouring down my cheeks; I came to know the true God. Jesus healed me completely… He healed my nearly paralysed body, my gastric ulcers and helped me forsake my bad habits… Praise the Lord.”

The Bible Society of Singapore (BSS) provides Bibles, New Testaments and Scripture Portions for distribution in Singapore and overseas, and this Bible mission work has been touching and transforming lives of people like Chua and the ex-offender for 190 years. We pray that you will continue to support the work of BSS, so that we can continue to sow God’s Word and make an impact on people’s hearts and lives.



Bible helps break the bonds of addiction in Belarus

Sasha’s entire childhood was blighted by alcoholism. When he was five his mother froze to death, too drunk to find her way back home. Shortly afterwards his father was sent to an asylum after stabbing someone in a drunken rage. When he left the orphanage where he grew up, Sasha became dependent on alcohol, which led him into a life of crime. He spent most of his late teens and 20s in prison.

“Realising that my life was turning out like my parents’ I lost all hope,” he recalls. “My body is full of the scars of numerous suicide attempts.”

Slowly blossomed in his heart

But then, in 1992, a fellow prisoner gave him a New Testament. It didn’t immediately change Sasha’s life but it planted a seed that slowly blossomed in his heart.

“The first time I read Scripture I felt disturbed,” he recalls. “I read the first six chapters of Matthew and then couldn’t sleep that night. The next day I returned it to my friend, saying, ‘This is a holy book and I’m a sinful man. I’m not allowed to touch it.’”

Sasha shares his testimony.
Sasha shares his testimony.

That first encounter with the Bible helped Sasha to get through some dark days ahead. While in solitary confinement he found himself praying words from the Lord’s Prayer, which he remembered reading. Later, he wrote to ask for his own copy of the New Testament through a program called, ‘The Gospel for every prisoner’. Although he wasn’t ready to commit himself to Christ he read his New Testament, particularly in times of trouble.

It took a dramatic situation and a lot of help from his Christian friends in prison for him to understand and accept God’s love for him. He was baptised, along with 18 other prisoners.

Free for the first time

“It was a great honour to die to my old life and rise to my new life of service to God,” he smiles. “While in prison I became free for the first time in my life.”

When he was released from prison, with the support of Revival Mission, a church-run organisation that helps addicts and alcoholics, Sasha started to share his story with other people. Today, he pastors a church and works with Revival Mission to help others whose lives have been destroyed by addiction. The mission uses Scriptures provided by the Bible Society of Belarus, which is committed to helping fight the scourge of drug and alcohol addiction.

Bibles in one of the bedrooms in a Christian rehabilitation centre.
Bibles in one of the bedrooms in a Christian rehabilitation centre.

“Unfortunately, the tragedy of Sasha’s childhood is not uncommon,” says Bible Society Executive Secretary Igor Mikhailov. “Alcoholism affects many families and the number of drug addicts here has increased sevenfold over the past 10 years, particularly among teenagers and young people. And intravenous drug use is closely linked to HIV – around 80% of injecting drug addicts are HIV-positive.

“More and more churches and other Christian organisations are getting involved in tackling this growing problem. We are supporting them by providing Scriptures, which are a key tool in helping people to break their addiction and discover a fresh purpose for their life.”

This Scripture-based approach, which is used by Christian-run drug rehabilitation centres and church-run programs in prisons, hospitals and other settings, is proving very effective.

70% success rate

“70% of our patients who complete the full cycle of rehabilitation stop taking drugs, have families and actively participate in church life,” says Averyanov, who leads a Christian rehabilitation centre in the Gomel region. “Having experienced the power of God’s Word in their lives, many of them share the Gospel with friends who are still drug users. Also, the patients’ relatives see the changes in their loved ones and want to find out about the Bible for themselves. Thanks to the Bible Society we are able to give them a copy.”

Another organisation, Mothers Against Drugs, told the Bible Society that the young people they speak to in schools about how to avoid addiction react very positively to the Bible.

Lidia
Lidia Kotikova of Mothers Against Drugs with some of the Bibles provided by the Bible Society of Belarus.

“Almost all the young people we talk to in schools, colleges and universities have tried drugs,” notes Lidia Kotikova who heads Mothers Against Drugs in the town of Gorki. “We use drama and lectures to get them to think about addiction from a biblical perspective, and they find this very interesting. They tell us that they never had much guidance from their families. Many of them ask us for Bibles so that they can read it for themselves.”

Igor, who has led this Bible Society project for a number of years, says that he has been “personally amazed” to see the dedication of those ministering to addicts and their families, or teaching youth how to avoid addiction.

“Many of these men and women working in rehabilitation centres and other settings have burning hearts, having once passed through serious trials themselves,” he notes. “They are able to speak from their wealth of personal experience and help people to find the right path again and turn to God. This ministry is having a stunning effect, which I would not have believed if I was not witnessing it myself, over and over again.”

Read the testimonies below of a few of these former addicts who are now ministering to others.

The Bible Society supplies thousands of Scriptures to churches and organisations working to help people avoid and recover from alcohol abuse and drug addiction, but many more are needed. Please pray that it is able to provide Scriptures wherever they are needed. 

Mila*

“I spent 11 years addicted to alcohol and drugs. I had a daughter but I wasn’t involved in her upbringing. I was too busy destroying my life and going to jail. I realised that I was going to die if I didn’t do something, so I went to the Christian rehabilitation centre I’d heard about. There I experienced God and any doubts I’d had about coming off drugs evaporated. I went through the rehabilitation and also the program to help me reintegrate into normal life. I have my daughter back and I’m now helping alcoholics, drug addicts and their parents with mental and spiritual recovery.” – Mila*

Alexy*

“My parents were very caring but I started taking drugs because I wanted to be rebellious. My addiction nearly killed me several times and I only avoided prison through the intervention of Mothers Against Drugs, who got me sent to a Christian rehabilitation centre instead. It was only through God’s power that I was able to break free from my addiction. I now go to church and work with the rehabilitation centre, visiting schools to tell kids my story and help them avoid the mistakes I made.” – Alexy*

Pavel*

“I grew up seeing my mother and father constantly drunk. I had so much pain inside, which I dealt with by taking drugs in my teens. My mother became a Christian and invited me to church but I thought, ‘How can you find anything in religion? I’m fine. I can take care of myself.’  But then my mother died of cancer and I was diagnosed with a severe illness. I was told I’d be an invalid. I realised I was standing on a precipice. I went to the ‘Right to Life’ rehabilitation centre and God immediately started working in my heart, destroying strongholds that had held me captive for so long. In Jeremiah 33:3 God says, ‘Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, which you don’t know about.’ I see it in my life. I am now working in the rehabilitation centre and have been blessed with a wife. I can testify that ‘He who promised is faithful’ (Hebrews 10:23). – Pavel*

Vitaly*

“I grew up seeing debauchery, discord and death, and I liked it. I was cynical and constantly in conflict with other people. But at the same time I felt a void in my life, and drugs filled it. Everywhere I went I had plenty of money, women and drugs. I could find drugs anywhere. Then one day I injured myself and my mother asked me to please go to a rehabilitation centre. I didn’t want to disappoint her so I went. There I learned about Jesus and realised that he was exactly what I’d been missing in my life. I understood that drug addiction was not my only sin. I repented and, with God’s help, I am trying to become a new man. If it wasn’t for learning about God in the rehabilitation centre, I would be dead.” – Vitaly*

Click here to read a blog about a visit to a rehabilitation centre.