A Biblical-Spiritual Approach to Alleviating Symptoms Associated with Invisible Wounds of War via Peer Led Support Groups
[Thesis]
Carentz, Timothy Peter, Sr.
McChrystal, Scott
Assemblies of God Theological Seminary
2021
209
D.Min.
Assemblies of God Theological Seminary
2021
Invisible wounds related to battlefield encounters plague the military community. Despite high-caliber helping agencies provided on military installations, abhorrent symptoms flow like a tidal wave, ruining careers, families, and lives. Individuals often refuse to come forward for help, fearing helping agencies will brief their command who might then deny promotions, assignment preference, awards/decorations, or strong evaluations. Others resist services offered by individuals deemed to lack the personal experience of one who has "been there, done that." This study eliminated those two overarching obstacles and integrated a heavy faith-based approach. Rhema Café may appear as a community café on the outside, but within it holds the Kaiserslautern Military Resiliency Center (KMRC), which collaborates with over forty helping agencies and churches. The KMRC is an ecumenical parachurch ministry under the oversight of The Warriors Journey and the Assemblies of God's German District. All helping services at this location are free, confidential, and separate from the military chain of command. At this location, many facilitators lead groups similar to this project. The premise of such projects includes identifying felt needs of the community, developing a faith-based approach which provides for prayer, worship, biblical discussion, and accountability, and offering groups facilitated by a peer who personally overcame and rebounded to their new norm. Upon completion of the project, qualitative and quantitative data recorded the following: (1) participants experienced a significant decline of symptoms (via PCL-5), (2) participants experienced significant personal growth (via PTGI), and (3) participants appreciated the PLSG and desired additional topics/sessions (via workshop evaluation).