Ekklesia Society initiated a 3-4 year project working with our GAFCON Partners to equip local churches to bring healing to traumatic wounds and experiences. The Healing the Wounds of Trauma Initiative pays particular attention to conflict areas in Africa where rape has been used as a weapon in tribal and religious conflicts. The Healing the Wounds of Trauma Initiative consists of a 3-pronged approach that is not only bring healing to traumatic experiences, but also equips local churches to address the cultural patterns of abuse that keep the cycles of violence alive.
Current update
For years, Ekklesia has deployed teams of volunteers to Africa to share the ministry of Healing the Wounds of Trauma. There is no shortage of candidates. In some areas, every single person has experienced trauma, often things far too horrible to relate here. In human terms, healing is impossible. How could anyone possibly endure things more horrible than nightmares and have hope that they could ever feel anything again, much less experience joy once more?
How? Because Jesus is Emmanuel, “God with us.” Because He is with us, He has experienced our pain. It is Jesus alone that can fulfill the promise, “I will restore the years that the locust have eaten.” Joel 2:25. No one else can make that promise! People can be guided into an experience of Jesus where He “shows up” and does what only He can do. He reinterprets not only what has happened, but He shows us who we really are. The joy that people experience is beyond imagination!
You have helped more than 40,000 people go through Healing the Wounds of Trauma. Not only have we helped people, we have trained and equipped so many Trauma Ministers that the healing ministry is growing even when our teams are not there! I wish you could meet some of the people who were thought to be hopeless who now are eager to tell anyone who will listen that Jesus Christ has set them free. Imagine what it will be like to meet one of those people in heaven and hear them say, “Thank you! Your support made my healing possible!”
How? Because Jesus is Emmanuel, “God with us.” Because He is with us, He has experienced our pain. It is Jesus alone that can fulfill the promise, “I will restore the years that the locust have eaten.” Joel 2:25. No one else can make that promise! People can be guided into an experience of Jesus where He “shows up” and does what only He can do. He reinterprets not only what has happened, but He shows us who we really are. The joy that people experience is beyond imagination!
You have helped more than 40,000 people go through Healing the Wounds of Trauma. Not only have we helped people, we have trained and equipped so many Trauma Ministers that the healing ministry is growing even when our teams are not there! I wish you could meet some of the people who were thought to be hopeless who now are eager to tell anyone who will listen that Jesus Christ has set them free. Imagine what it will be like to meet one of those people in heaven and hear them say, “Thank you! Your support made my healing possible!”
2025 update
These are all from +Johnson and the training at the refugee camp. The refugees need trauma healing more than any other group.
We also had a Train the Trainers event in Uganda that is part of Ekklesia’s Healing the Wounds of Trauma ministry where 10 churches were represented. They are going to organize training in those ten churches. Now they will take the Trauma Recovery ministry back to their churches to facilitate ministry opportunities. Through this we will see the training multiplies the fruits. Please continue to pray for our healing the Wounds of Trauma Ministry. The fire that was lit is continuing to burn brighter.
We also had a Train the Trainers event in Uganda that is part of Ekklesia’s Healing the Wounds of Trauma ministry where 10 churches were represented. They are going to organize training in those ten churches. Now they will take the Trauma Recovery ministry back to their churches to facilitate ministry opportunities. Through this we will see the training multiplies the fruits. Please continue to pray for our healing the Wounds of Trauma Ministry. The fire that was lit is continuing to burn brighter.
On a recent trip to Uganda, The Rev. Canon Dr. Rob Cornelison, Ekklesia’s Director of Field Operations, and his wife Wendy, the Executive Director of S.E.E.D. of Hope Global, held a training event in the Nebbi Diocese with young men and a few Lay Catechists. Fourteen gave their hearts completely to Jesus and there was tremendous healing that God did with their orphan hearts. We had a second training for a group of pastors from many church backgrounds. Again, the Holy Spirit moved and released the captives as they learned to forgive and choose life, Truth, and Jesus! Lives are being transformed through this ministry!
2024 update
The Rev. Canon Dr. Rob Cornelison, Ekklesia’s Director of Field Operations, and his wife Wendy Cornelison, Executive Director of S.E,E,D. of Hope Global, led an advanced trauma healing mission trip to Uganda. This trip was a joint venture with the Anglican Diocese of the Great Lakes (ADGL) and had five ADGL congregations represented.
The trip was divided into three sections:
Since July 2022, The Ekklesia Healing the Wounds of Trauma Initiative has directly reached over 14,000 individuals, this number does not include the radio broadcast from Christ the King Radio in Nebbi Diocese that broadcasts into Northern Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The only way this has been possible has been for Ekklesia and all our partners to stay focused on our core values. These values are:
The trip was divided into three sections:
- Basic Trauma Healing in the Refugee Camps inn Madi West Nile Diocese (C.O.U);
- Advanced Trauma Healing with 40 of the most seasoned original trainers from our first training in July 2022 in the Northern Uganda Diocese (C.O.U.)
- Direct prayer and a men’s outreach program at the New Generation Healing and Empowerment Center in partnership with Nebbi Diocese (C.O.U.).
Since July 2022, The Ekklesia Healing the Wounds of Trauma Initiative has directly reached over 14,000 individuals, this number does not include the radio broadcast from Christ the King Radio in Nebbi Diocese that broadcasts into Northern Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The only way this has been possible has been for Ekklesia and all our partners to stay focused on our core values. These values are:
- Multiplication - train the trainers so that we can reach more people in a cost effective manner.
- Empowerment - Train key local leaders with resources to fulfill their mission. Our Uganda leader is The Rt. Rev. Johnson Gakumba, and in DRC it is The Rev. Bernard Bisoke.
- Respect - We see people not as an accumulation of their trauma but as our brothers and sisters in Christ who have been called by God into His family and mission.
2023 Update
As of April 2023, over 5,850 people have received ministry through our program!
Learning to SING: Research into the Effectiveness of a Faith-Based Intervention Benefiting Traumatized Women initial study was conducted to determine if the effects of using the Stories in Grace Curriculum would be beneficial to a group of women who have experienced trauma. Study results are available below.
The Ekklesia Healing the Wounds of Trauma Initiative has launched in Uganda! To check out the incredible stories from that trip, click below.
2022 Update
When we say “yes” to Him and allow Him to work in our lives we can live in freedom and wholeness.
Learning to SING: Research into the Effectiveness of a Faith-Based Intervention Benefiting Traumatized Women initial study was conducted to determine if the effects of using the Stories in Grace Curriculum would be beneficial to a group of women who have experienced trauma. Study results are available below.
The Ekklesia Healing the Wounds of Trauma Initiative has launched in Uganda! To check out the incredible stories from that trip, click below.
2021 Update
“I learned we have to forgive because if we don’t that poison runs through our veins and destroy us from the inside That’s the reason why God gave us that gift for us to forgive and fight for the common good and to leave evilness behind us.” – “Maria”
Learning to SING: Research into the Effectiveness of a Faith-Based Intervention Benefiting Traumatized Women initial study was conducted to determine if the effects of using the Stories in Grace Curriculum would be beneficial to a group of women who have experienced trauma. Study results are available below.
