When people are in crisis, they can't receive a lecture, a sermon or even well-intended advice.

They can't make sense of very much in those first moments or days. They need someone to simply sit with them in their shock and pain, walk with them on their journey, and listen patiently every step of the way. Many of them may be wondering, 'Where is God in all of this?' And that's why we will be there. We are to bring the presence of the true and living God. Even if they cannot understand it in that moment, God will be walking right beside them through us.

 

Hundreds of people show up immediately following a traumatic event, but what happens in the weeks and months that follow? We encourage a life's journey of purpose discovery and recovery that can help people reach a place of stability so they can grow from their experiences.

 

That's why we are equipping Believers to do the work of ministry/ service by getting them involved in the soul care and spiritual wellness within their own families and communities; and by encouraging them to become prepared and always ready to be called upon to help in the aftermath of critical incidents, similar to the work of  community outreach organizations (Red Cross, Salvation Army, or Samaritan's Purse, etc.) to supply labor, presence, helping hands, support, and resources. (We train you in how to be be present.  We train you to just listen, listen and listen.) 

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Definitions

• Critical Incident – the traumatic event or catalyst for emotional or psychological trauma

• Crisis – is the reaction of the individual to the incident that has occurred

• Crisis Intervention – the application of “psychological, emotional and spiritual first aid” and long-term post trauma care

 

First Steps - Psychological and Emotional First Aid involves: 

• Stabilizing people

• Reducing acute stress symptoms

• Reestablishing their capacity to function in a healthy way

• Seeking the next level of immediate care (food, housing, medical care, assistance applications, insurance filing, etc. )

• Referring to long-term care solutions (counselors, mental health coaches, support groups, local church pastoral care, etc.)

 

Examples of Traumatic Events

• Natural Disasters (hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, etc.)

• Accidental Disasters (car crashes, plane crashes, explosions, etc.)

• Intentional or Deliberate Disasters (bombings, robberies, assaults, homicide, suicide, rape, terrorism, vandalism, etc.)

• Incidents of loss (fired from a job, eviction from a home, car repossession, identity theft, divorce, excommunication, any unexpected break up of a close relationship, etc.) 

• Sustained or Repeated Events (kidnapping, sexual abuse, spousal abuse, police harassment, racist/ terrorist threats, bullying, shaming, etc.)

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Most Common Impact of a Critical Incident on an Individual (Post Traumatic Stress - not PTSD)

Traumatic Stress is a normal human response to an abnormal event or incident.

Traumatic stress is more powerful and serious than ordinary day-to-day stress.

This is the period of time when the brain and body are trying to get back to normal.

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• Physical (rapid heart and breathing rate, sweating, headaches, muscle spasms, indigestion, nausea, chest pains, etc.)

• Cognitive (confusion, trouble making decisions, inability to concentrate, difficulty with memory, etc.)

• Emotional (anxiety, irritability, fear, panic, angry outburst, helplessness, hopelessness, despair)

• Behavioral (withdrawal and/or difficulty in relationships, eating/sleeping changes, compulsive behaviors, crying spells, disconnected stares, etc.)

• Spiritual (anger at God, despair, loss of thankfulness, no desire to continue with righteous living, or one may cling to their faith, beliefs and convictions even stronger)

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How Trauma and Crisis Affects People (Immediately and Long term)

• Trauma can teach a grossly unhealthy way of relating to God and other people.

• Someone who experiences trauma might be facing intrusive re-experiencing of the event.

• Hyper-arousal – A loud boom; for example, fireworks could arouse extreme reactions in a veteran of war.

• Numbing – Affect is a flat response. No feelings or unsure of what or how to feel.

• Hyper Fight or Flight – In a situation perceived as dangerous, one either puts up a fight or runs away to escape trauma.

• Dissociation – The mind takes a person someplace else other than the present in order to handle this.

• Survivor Guilt – When others died, but a person survived.

• Addiction – Self-medicating unresolved trauma.

• Depression-like symptoms: fatigue, lack of interest in things that were once enjoyable, sadness

• 90% of U.S. citizens will be exposed to a traumatic event in their lifetime. Most people do not develop PTSD after a traumatic incident or event. (Only about 20%, but this is still a lot of people.)

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Benefits of a Purpose Discovery and Recovery Ministry Team

• Provides long-term support and soul care for the weeks, months or years after the critical incident(s).

• Provides effective, efficient and practical means to show the love of God to those in need of mental, emotional and spiritual first aid, which otherwise might be neglected.

• Builds relationship bonds that might open up opportunities to pray for and with people.

• Builds an army of trained crisis care-givers to attend to long-term needs (in the aftermath of critical incidents).

• Provides opportunities to work with government officials at disaster sites. (You should never show up without prior training and approval with these entities).

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We can do this!

• We can train you to provide soul care and spiritual wellness support.

• Crisis intervention should be performed by teams not individuals.

• We can form support groups and recovery programs for helping those that have experienced a critical incident.

• Crisis intervention is about immediate and limited long-term response.

• Soul care is for immediate and long-term, ongoing support.

• We have the primary component of healing to offer those impacted by a critical incident, and that component is hope.

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​The Mission Challenge:

What if Churches or Ministries (i.e. Fruitful Life) had Special Force units like the Marines or Navy SEALS?

What if God is calling YOU to enlist in one of His special force teams during these perilous times?

 

Would you sign up for deployments that will take you into the long-term soul care of traumatized people?

 

By the way, very few  people may ever know your name. There will probably never be any parades in your honor, no Christian Celebrity TV appearances, no Dove awards, no Grammy awards, no American Idol or The Voice titles, and no guarantee that you’ll live in a mansion, own a jet, or drive an expensive vehicle. There will probably be no fame or acclaim. 

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However, you are guaranteed to have purpose, grace and favor upon your life. You will have the peace that you can face your Savior and Lord, knowing you were obedient to the heavenly vision, and not just sold out to your own dream.

 

Welcome to the opportunity of a lifetime!