Approximately 70% of the world’s population have been exposed to a traumatic life event*. Trauma is the impact in the heart and mind of someone who has experienced suffering, including violence, abuse or disaster. Trauma drastically affects an individual’s psychological, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Without God’s healing, trauma can greatly impact an individual’s daily life, relationships with others, and intimacy with Him. Through the truths found in His Word, God offers hope and healing to those affected by trauma. Motivated by the love of Jesus, SIM is crossing barriers of brokenness and trauma to share the freedom and hope found in the Good News.  

SIM’s Trauma Healing ministry is a church and community-based program equipping believers with integrated biblical and mental health principles to care for victims of trauma in their communities. Nancy Writebol, SIM Global Trauma Healing Coordinator, explained: “We must become representatives of our Lord to suffering people. The total number of those suffering from trauma is staggering. People who are suffering long for help and comfort. It is an open door for the church to bend down, like our Lord bent down for us, and to enter into the great traumas of this world with real help and companionship and comfort. Such work often opens the hearts of people to the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.”  

Jennie Girard, a SIM Australia mission worker based in France, dedicates herself to trauma healing ministry. She leads the ‘Healing the Wounds of Trauma’ (HWT) training program offered by the Trauma Healing Institute. This training integrates applied Scripture and mental health principles to address spiritual and emotional wounds resulting from trauma related to war, violence, natural disasters, and abuse. 

She aims to support those who need the restorative work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Jennie derives great joy from seeing broken lives restored. The training has facilitated significant progress for participants seeking healing. The program is also beneficial for mission workers who desire to be equipped to help others who have suffered trauma. 

Jennie explained, “SIM mission workers in many countries are faced with the trauma of the people they were called to work with: including wars, epidemics, natural disasters, social disasters and personal suffering. They are not necessarily equipped to recognise the effects of trauma on people, nor know how to help. It is also vital that mission workers themselves be aware of how trauma affects them and how to deal with it since many experience their own trauma through life, including while serving on the field.” 

Jennie has always had a heart for France. After serving as a teacher to SIM mission kids in West Africa, she completed a theological diploma in French Bible College in 1993. It was during this course that she met her French husband, Pascal. In response to the call to serve the French church, Jennie remained in France. 

With a background in Christian counselling, Jennie assisted her denomination in France as part of the Congregational Vitality team. “I was particularly interested in pastoral care and spiritual mentoring which not only helps individuals but is a definite plus for any local church community, especially if it wants to grow and be living witnesses to non-Christians,” she said.  

Jennie heard about Healing Wounds of Trauma (HWT) through SIM. “I heard about the very positive results it was having in helping parishioners heal from their suffering and moving on with God,” she explained. “People going through the program are able to restore their relationships on all levels, to forgive and to grow spiritually again. Healthy Christians create missionally healthy churches. That grew my interest for the Vitality work I was involved in.”  

In 2017 she completed the training so she could lead healing groups and train others to lead them. “HWT is a journey together, sharing our personal experiences and understanding of the dramas we have been through,” said Jennie. “It is suitable for helping with all kinds of traumatic experiences and designed to be used as a ministry tool for churches and Christian organisations.”  

The modules integrate optimal mental health practices and a robust biblical foundation, incorporating exercises from art therapies and methods for managing intense emotions. A list of trained professionals is always available for individuals requiring more personalised assistance at a deeper level. 

SIM’s Trauma Healing Ministry is praying that there would be trained leaders running groups in every region where SIM is present. “Our vision is to overcome Gospel-barriers through biblical, compassionate trauma care and see every person experience healing in the Lord Jesus Christ,” Nancy explained. “Not only do we desire to train SIM leaders but to help the churches SIM has planted address the effects of trauma and loss with resources that integrate biblical and mental health principles.” 

PRAY: Join us in praying for our mission workers involved in trauma healing ministry around the world. Pray that participants would receiving healing and restoration.

*Global Collaboration on Traumatic Stress, 2024