Spring Retreat 2022
This page is for attendees during the Spring Retreat. Check below for important details about the retreat with real time updates.
He Makes All Things New
After the trauma of abuse, we may find ourselves feeling shattered and longing for love more than ever before.
Support Called to Peace Ministries
Called to Peace Ministries serves to be a beacon of hope through Christ to women and their families trapped in the dangerous dynamics of abuse by offering help through our Emergency Fund.
The Emergency Fund exists as a source of last resort, to be used only after the client requesting assistance has explored all other possibilities of help from family, friends, savings, or investments. The Fund is intended to be a temporary help to help provide financial assistance to survivors during a time of crisis.
Please consider how you can help us to raise $20,000 during the He Makes All Things New Retreat for women in crisis.
Through the Emergency Fund, we provide help with:
- $50 donation = Gift Cards for Gas or Groceries
- $100 donation = A Hotel Stay to Flee From an Abuser
- $250 donation = Past Due Bill Support
- $500 donation = Supplemental Help With Rent or a Mortgage Payment
- $750 donation = Help with an Apartment Deposit
If you give a donation during the retreat from Wednesday April 6th to Sunday April 10th, every gift up to $5,000 will be matched by an anonymous donor. Give NOW to double your donation.
If you have been encouraged or supported by the work at Called to Peace Ministries, please consider how God may use you to be a lifeline of hope for another woman experiencing domestic abuse by giving to our Emergency Fund.
“The Emergency Fund support I received from Called to Peace Ministries allowed me to get a place of my own- to have a safe place to dwell and to have a new beginning.”
– Molly
Remaining time for $5,000 matching grant
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What is Called to Peace?
Professional certified coach
Licensed psychologist in P.A.
Author, “Taking Out Your Emotional Trash”
Author, “A Gift of Mourning Glories: Restoring Your Life after Loss”
Author, “12 Smart Choices for Finding the Right Guy”
Recipient of the American Association of Christian Counselors Award for Excellence in Christian Caregiving
Mourning Glory Minute (YouTube series)
Georgia Shaffer
Georgia Shaffer knows what it’s like to bounce back after repeated challenges and abuse. Her passion is to support women and help them to develop the skills needed to move from reeling to resilient. As an author, professional certified coach and licensed psychologist in PA she offers individual and group coaching.
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Some of Georgia’s online coaching groups include: Taking Out Your Emotional Trash, Healthy Healing Relationships and ReBUILD, which is for women who are divorced. For free resources, to watch her video series the Mourning Glory Minute or to discover more about Georgia’s coaching groups visit www.GeorgiaShaffer.com.
Sessions
Spiritual Principles for a Better Tomorrow
“The path you have chosen spiritually, emotionally and relationally will determine where you end up.” Andy Stanley
As you develop characteristics like resilience and grit, you will strengthen your spiritual and emotional immune systems and promote your ability to deal with uncertainty, anxiety and the challenges brought by loss and trauma. This workshop will cover the spiritual principals, tools, and steps needed for you to build a better life.
B.A. Sociology, Hampton University
Juris Doctor, NC State School of Law
Author, “Abigail’s Veil: A Domestic Violence Handbook for Clergy and Church Leaders”
First African American and first woman to serve as a Superior Court Judge in the 9th judicial district.
Carolyn Thompson
Evangelist Carolyn J. Thompson is an ordained and licensed Minister of the Gospel, serving as an associate minister at Cornerstone Christian Community Church. She has 23 years of legal and judicial experience. She founded Abigail’s Veil Ministry to equip the faith-based community to combat domestic violence using Scripture and the law.
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Evangelist Carolyn J. Thompson is a native of Danville, Virginia where her parents, James Jennings and Pastor Eunice Morton, still reside. She and her family live in Oxford, North Carolina. Evangelist Thompson obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Hampton University and a Juris Doctor degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law.
She is an ordained and licensed Minister of the Gospel and serves as an associate minister in her family’s church, Cornerstone Christian Community Church, located in Oxford, North Carolina. Evangelist Thompson founded the Abigail’s Veil Ministry and authored Abigail’s Veil: A Domestic Violence Handbook for Clergy and Church Leaders. Her ministry provides workshops and seminars to help the faith-based community combat domestic violence based upon Scripture and the law. Because of her vested interest in the youth community and families dealing with domestic abuse, she called upon as a motivational speaker for various youth programs and annual community awareness events.
She is a seasoned trial attorney with over 23 years of legal and judicial experience as a former District Court and Superior Court Judge. In April 2019, she was appointed to the bench as the first African American and first woman to serve as a Superior Court Judge in the 9th judicial district.
Evangelist Thompson has served the community as a volunteer and member of various community-focused organizations such as Granville County Teen Court Volunteer Judge, Granville County Human Relations Commission; Juvenile Crime Prevention Council; N.C. Domestic Violence Commission; Families Living Violence Free Board; Oxford League of Women Voters; Granville County Judicial Attendance Council; Granville County Ministerial Alliance; Oxford Chapter of Les Gemmes, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Throughout her career, she has received numerous awards and recognition for commitment to servant-leadership, including 10 Years of Volunteer Service Recognition by the Granville County Teen Court; the 2014 Women of Justice Award; the 2009 NAACP Special Achievement Award; the 2015 Women of Economic Empowerment Award and in 2020 she was inducted to the Henderson Institute Historical Museum.
Lastly and the best of all, Carolyn is a wife, mother, and NaNa. Her family’s creed is and shall remain: “I can do all things through Christ who IS our strength.” (Philippians 4:13).
Sessions
Legal Issues
A panel discussion with Judge Carolyn Thompson and Attorney Tiffany Lesnik as they discuss the ways that you can best be prepared for Court whether you are representing yourself or are working with an attorney. Topics to be discussed include: how to find favor with the Court; best evidence to collect and present; how to be an asset to your attorney rather than a hindrance, how to tackle alienation claims; dealing with a narcissist opposing party, getting the best custody outcomes, special considerations with domestic violence, how to handle fees and expenses; and more.
Legal Q&A with Tiffany Lesnik and Judge Carolyn Thompson
Debra Wingfield
With over 45 years training therapists and counseling children and adults who experienced child maltreatment and family violence, Dr. Wingfield now educates and trains professionals, community members, advocates, and therapists on coercive control, domestic and family violence, and the impacts of child maltreatment.
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Her work takes a two-pronged approach to address prevention and treatment of violence, abuse, and coercive control. She provides education to raise awareness and knowledge of these issues. In the past, her work provided treatment to stop the cycle of violence and abuse.
She is the author of From Darkness to Light: Your Inner Journey, a workbook to help adults heal from child maltreatment and family violence; Through a Child’s Voice: Transformational Journaling for tweens and up who experienced child abuse and family violence; Her book, Eyes Wide Open: Help! with Control Freak Co-Parents for Protective Parents to move their lives forward and stop being controlled by their abusive ex.
Dr. Wingfield was a faculty member at Regis University teaching psychology and counseling courses. She developed and taught a domestic violence counselor training curriculum at the University of Southern Colorado, now Colorado State University-Pueblo, from 1994 – 2001. She founded House of Peace Publications in 2009 to provide virtual training in Domestic Violence/ Coercive Control for professionals with clients impacted by these issues.
Sessions
Tips to Parent Traumatized Children
ACBC certified counselor
M.A. in Biblical Counseling from The Master’s University
Shannon McCoy
Shannon is a retreat and conference speaker. She serves on the Biblical Counseling Coalition Council Board and is a contributing blogger for them as well.
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Shannon is a Biblical Counselor certified with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) and has a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling (MABC) from The Master’s University. She’s the author of Help! I’m A Slave to Food and contributing author to Women Counseling Women.
Sessions
What Helps, What Hurts: Replacing Shallow Substitutes for the One True God
When we experience abuse, it can be difficult to make sense of what is happening. Our world feels turned upside down, and we may feel like we are going crazy. In times like this, it is easy to turn to other sources for comfort and meaning. We may seek out things or people that can give us a sense of control or power over our lives. But these substitutes for the One true God are counterfeit gods that cannot truly satisfy or heal us. In this session, we will explore some of the most common counterfeit gods and learn how to replace them with the Son of God.
ACBC certified counselor
M.A. in Biblical Counseling from The Master’s University
Shannon McCoy
Shannon is a retreat and conference speaker. She serves on the Biblical Counseling Coalition Council Board and is a contributing blogger for them as well.
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Shannon is a Biblical Counselor certified with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) and has a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling (MABC) from The Master’s University. She’s the author of Help! I’m A Slave to Food and contributing author to Women Counseling Women.
Sessions
What Helps, What Hurts: Replacing Shallow Substitutes for the One True God
When we experience abuse, it can be difficult to make sense of what is happening. Our world feels turned upside down, and we may feel like we are going crazy. In times like this, it is easy to turn to other sources for comfort and meaning. We may seek out things or people that can give us a sense of control or power over our lives. But these substitutes for the One true God are counterfeit gods that cannot truly satisfy or heal us. In this session, we will explore some of the most common counterfeit gods and learn how to replace them with the Son of God.
Executive Director, Blue Ridge Christian Counseling
LPC
Ordained minister
M.A. in Counseling, Westminster Seminary
M.A. Biblical Studies, Westminster Seminary
Author, “After an Affair: Pursuing Restoration”
Author, “Anxious About Decisions: Finding Freedom in the Peace of God” (forthcoming, 2022)
Consulting editor, Journal of Biblical Counseling
Michael Gembola
Michael Gembola is executive director of Blue Ridge Christian Counseling in Southwest Virginia. He is a licensed professional counselor and an ordained minister. He holds masters degrees from Westminster Seminary in Counseling (MAC) and in Biblical Studies (MAR), and has done continuing education in trauma recovery.
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He regularly teaches courses at Westminster Seminary and the Blue Ridge Institute for Theological Education. He is the author of After an Affair: Pursuing Restoration and several articles, and he serves as consulting editor for the Journal of Biblical Counseling. His most next book, Anxious about Decisions: Finding Freedom in the Peace of God, is forthcoming in 2022. He and his wife Kelly live in Roanoke with their two sons and daughter.
Sessions
Divorce & Mercy
“Divorce and Mercy” presents the Bible’s teaching on God’s mercy to those who experience profound suffering in marriage, and the nature of his provision of divorce, as well as common Christian understandings. We’ll consider how best to navigate the complex decision for ourselves or those we love.
Executive Director, Blue Ridge Christian Counseling
LPC
Ordained minister
M.A. in Counseling, Westminster Seminary
M.A. Biblical Studies, Westminster Seminary
Author, “After an Affair: Pursuing Restoration”
Author, “Anxious About Decisions: Finding Freedom in the Peace of God” (forthcoming, 2022)
Consulting editor, Journal of Biblical Counseling
Michael Gembola
Michael Gembola is executive director of Blue Ridge Christian Counseling in Southwest Virginia. He is a licensed professional counselor and an ordained minister. He holds masters degrees from Westminster Seminary in Counseling (MAC) and in Biblical Studies (MAR), and has done continuing education in trauma recovery.
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He regularly teaches courses at Westminster Seminary and the Blue Ridge Institute for Theological Education. He is the author of After an Affair: Pursuing Restoration and several articles, and he serves as consulting editor for the Journal of Biblical Counseling. His most next book, Anxious about Decisions: Finding Freedom in the Peace of God, is forthcoming in 2022. He and his wife Kelly live in Roanoke with their two sons and daughter.
Sessions
Divorce & Mercy
“Divorce and Mercy” presents the Bible’s teaching on God’s mercy to those who experience profound suffering in marriage, and the nature of his provision of divorce, as well as common Christian understandings. We’ll consider how best to navigate the complex decision for ourselves or those we love.
Dale & Faith Ingraham
Dale and Faith are co-founders of Speaking Truth in Love Ministries and strong advocates for victims of abuse and domestic violence. Dale and Faith have been serving in ministry since their marriage in 1984.
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Dale is the author of “Tear Down This Wall of Silence.” He graduated from Bible College in 1983. He has been a pastor of several churches since beginning his ministry in 1983. Faith Ingraham is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. She has been serving with her husband in pastoral ministry since 1984. She is an author, speaker, and life coach. She home schooled all five of their children and enjoys spending time with their grown children and grandchildren.
Sessions
Hope & Healing for Survivors
This session looks at both Biblical and Practical ways to promote healing for abuse survivors.
Juris Doctor, Campbell University School of Law, Raleigh, NC
M.A. in Clinical Psychology, NC Central University, Durham, NC
B.A. in Psychology, NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Tiffany Lesnik
Tiffany focuses on domestic violence, custody, including high conflict custody, stepparent adoptions, grandparent visitation, and the settlement and litigation of family law disputes. Tiffany was the single mother of two daughters and understands how challenging and expensive the legal process can be – having gone through domestic violence and a divorce herself.
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She knows what it feels like to sit on the “client side” of the table and understands that it is frustrating when your attorney doesn’t communicate with you when you feel like your life is in their hands. It doesn’t make it easier when you are spending hundreds to thousands of dollars on representation and don’t even feel like you are an active part of your own case.
Tiffany is determined to make your experience a different one. She will walk alongside you even in your darkest of days.
Tiffany enjoys working with families and their children in conjunction with complex psychological issues and has networked with a team of experts to assist you with your case – regardless of magnitude. Tiffany is a child’s advocate and believes in the rights of children rather than parental rights.
Sessions
Legal Issues
A panel discussion with Judge Carolyn Thompson and Attorney Tiffany Lesnik as they discuss the ways that you can best be prepared for Court whether you are representing yourself or are working with an attorney. Topics to be discussed include: how to find favor with the Court; best evidence to collect and present; how to be an asset to your attorney rather than a hindrance, how to tackle alienation claims; dealing with a narcissist opposing party, getting the best custody outcomes, special considerations with domestic violence, how to handle fees and expenses; and more.
Legal Q&A with Tiffany Lesnik and Judge Carolyn Thompson
Heather Elizabeth
For over forty years, I let toxins attack me from every direction. I took care of others, but I had no idea how to take care of myself. My body was sick. My mind was tormented. My spirit was broken. I endured abuse of every kind and barely crawled through each day. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.
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In the past five years, I have worked intentionally to HEAL. I have kicked toxins to the curb–toxic personal care products, toxic foods, toxic cleaning supplies, toxic relationships, toxic mindsets… Bye-bye! Healing is flowing. The thing that lights me up, the thing that excites me, is healing and helping others heal…in body, mind and spirit. My pain is not in vain if I can help others gain their healing. I invite you to join me and my many others on this journey.
Sessions
Rebuilding After Abuse: Body, Mind & Spirit
I will share how I chose to remove toxins from all areas of my life, connected with counselors and holistic doctors and made major lifestyle changes by establishing healthy habits.
I have been on a fierce and intentional journey to heal after a lifetime of abuse.
Childhood abuse laid a foundation for other forms of abuse and at age 42, I was sick in my body, mind and spirit.
In a 3.5 year span of time, I was diagnosed with multiple chronic illnesses, separated, divorced, lost my faith community and empty-nested.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist
Care Minister, The Village Church, Denton, TX
Found and Director, Christian Trauma Healing Network
Podcast Host, Counsel for Life
Beth Broom
Beth Broom is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) and Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist (CCTS-I). She owns a private counseling practice specializing in trauma healing. She also serves as the Care Minister at The Village Church Denton in Denton, Texas.
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Beth is the founder and director of Christian Trauma Healing Network, an international association designed to bring trauma care and healing to Christians in the Church and society. She co-hosts a podcast called “Counsel for Life,” engaging conversations about mental health and the Christian life. She is married to Kenny, and they have three children – Sarah, Levi and Elijah.
Sessions
The Good Shepherd’s Delight in Your Healing Journey
Relatable testimony and encouragement for the journey of healing. Beth will teach on Psalm 23 as well as stories from the gospels about His care and kindness. She is very passionate about communicating the love and gentleness of Jesus toward those who are healing.
The Helper’s Role in Healing Trauma
Take a deep dive into how trauma affects the helping relationship. You will gain information on how the brain processes trauma (so helpers can understand the need for slowness, trust-building and connection with traumatized people), and also some basics of the ways to go about walking with someone through processing their trauma.
Liz Evans
Liz Evans, LMT is an emotionally destructive marriage survivor, a mom of 6 kids, a grandma, and has been practicing massage therapy and bodywork for over twenty years. She has pioneered an incredibly gentle & non-invasive form of bodywork called “Core Alignment Therapy” that she teaches to other bodyworkers.
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She has worked with literally thousands of bodies and has been teaching her own style of fitness called Core Transformation for the last six years. She brings many unique insights to her workshop and will do whatever it takes to share with you her core purpose for living: “You are Never Stuck!” Come and be inspired! When she’s not busy with all of the above, she’s working in her wellness center, Wellspring Vitality, on the western slope of Colorado and writing a healing journey memoir centered on healing from C-PTSD in the wee hours of the morning. Her favorite game is human foosball and if her kids really love her someday they will build her a foosball stadium in the backyard.
Check out www.handsonbodyworks.com for more restorative movement tips from Liz Evans. Click on Wellness Matters and enjoy browsing the many suggestions for releasing pain & stress out of the body using the body.
Sessions
The ABC’s of Restorative Movement
So many of us live in our heads, playing the same records of self-doubt, filled with jarring notes of stress and anxiety. We are cut off from our bodies and stuck in fight or flight, frozen in chronic tension. Often we are not even aware of the insidious soundtrack of our lives, but our bodies are taking these messages in very deeply. Join Liz Evans of HandsOnBodyworks, to learn strategies to become aware of these stress patterns. Explore how to listen to your body and discover what it can tell you about your emotional health. Move with Liz as you take in these trauma-informed strategies for communicating with and calming the central nervous system with breath work, restorative movement, holistic self-care strategies and deep body awareness. Your body does not have to happen to you, let Liz teach you how to “happen” to your body.
C-PTSD: Mapping Your Way to Healing
Almost everyone has C-PTSD which is first and foremost an attachment disorder according to Pete Walker, the author of C-PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving. If the DSM-5 were to subtract all of the misdiagnoses that are actually C-PTSD, cites another expert in the field, it would be a pamphlet, not a huge tome of disorders. Most of us know that we have it. I am on the journey of healing from it’s insidious effects and it is powerful to know what it is, how it manifests and the beautiful healing process that can be yours as you become who you were fully created to be. Explore hands-on somatic strategies for walking this path and doing it in community. You will find that things you thought were just you, could be the C-PTSD.
Darby Strickland
Darby Strickland is a counselor and faculty member for the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation. She is the author of Is it Abuse? A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims. She is also a contributor to the free web-based training curriculum Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused.
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Darby has a Master of Divinity degree in Counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary, where she currently teaches a course on counseling people in abusive marriages. She and her husband John have taken great delight in homeschooling their three children.
Sessions
Will God Renew and Redeem Your Story? (Main Session)
Domestic violence victims carry a story about what has happened to them. The first draft sounds like one laced with guilt and shame. It is likely that the people around you, including your abuser, contributed to your shame-filled version. Over time these stories need to be more accurate and reflect what actually happened. Your story needs to be about what happened to you, the wounds you carry, and God’s disdain for the abuse you endured. It is powerful to tell yourself the truth and even more healing for your story to emerge in community. Your story will benefit the hearts around you and, eventually, be about what God has done.
Rewriting Your Story (Breakout)
This workshop will walk participants through the plenary session. Giving them structure and time to write the first new draft of their story. Abuse has often done so much damage to one’s relationship with the Lord. So, it is critical to restore your ability to speak to him about the hard things you face and how you feel about him. This workshop will facilitate honest lamenting before the Lord.
Sexual Abuse in Marriage (Breakout)
Sexual abuse in marriage occurs in about 70% of the Christian women I counsel. Many are not even aware what they have endured is abuse. I will define marital sexual abuse, explain what it looks like and address the false teaching that has harmed too many women.
Rebecca Davis
Rebecca Davis is the author or collaborating author of 20 books for children and adults. With over 40 years of study of the Scriptures, she writes her adult books to help Christians have a deeper understanding of the true God and His love for them, to help those who have been abused find hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, and to help Christians better understand how they can help those in need.
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Her business involves serving as a trauma-informed book coach and editor. You can see her work at rebeccadaviswordworking.com.
Rebecca has been married to Tim for over 35 years. She enjoys group games with her adult children and imaginative play with her grandchildren.
Sessions
Untwisting Scriptures
God’s Word has been used against you to keep you in a place of bondage to those who wish you harm. In fact, for some, the Scriptures have been so badly twisted that they can’t even read the Bible. But because the Bible is where we find the hope and heart of God, untwisting these twisted Scriptures needs to be a priority for everyone who wants to know Him. This workshop will give you some practical tools to be able to untwist these twisted teachings for yourself so you can know the true God as He really is.
D.Ed.Min, LPC
Lead Counselor at Soul Care Associates, Flower Mound, TX
Co-author, “When Home Hurts: A guide for Responding Wisely to Domestic Abuse in Your Church”
Greg Wilson
Greg Wilson, D.Ed.Min., LPC is a licensed professional counselor and board-approved counselor supervisor in the state of Texas. He leads Soul Care Associates, a counseling and consulting practice in Flower Mound, Texas. Dr. Wilson is the co-author of When Home Hurts: A Guide for Responding Wisely to Domestic Abuse in Your Church.
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In his counseling practice, Dr. Wilson sees couples, families, and individuals, adolescents and adults. His practice areas include marriage and family, adolescent issues, domestic abuse, pornography and sex addiction, and trauma. As a consultant, Dr. Wilson works with leaders of churches and other organizations on adopting best practices for care.
Sessions
The Church Can (And Must) Be A Place of Safety and Peace
This session will describe how the church can be safer for victims and dismantle the systemic conditions that allow abuse to exist. We will consider how the church should respond to abuse by caring for victims, confronting perpetrators, and making the changes that are necessary to create peace and safety.
Inside the Mind and Heart of an Abusive Person.
Why do abusers do the things that they do? How should victims, advocates, counselors, and church leaders think about perpetrators of abuse? What kinds of help and services does he need? These are the types of questions that will be answered in this session.
IBCD Outreach Director
Host, Hope + Help Podcast
Author, “Help! I’ve Been Diagnosed with a Mental Disorder”
Author, “Help! My Teen is Depressed”
Author, “Clean Home, Messy Heart”
Christine Chappell
Christine is passionate about advocating for biblical one-another care and discipleship in the context of the local church. Christine serves her local church as a biblical counselor and lives in South Carolina with her husband and three children. Her writing has been featured at Desiring God, The Gospel Coalition, and Risen Motherhood.
Sessions
Help! I’ve Been Diagnosed with a Mental Disorder
When we’ve been diagnosed with a mental disorder, it can feel like our entire world is being redefined. We may wrestle with questions like: Does this label define me now? How can God redeem this? What hope is there for change? In this session, author Christine Chappell addresses common fears and concerns about what a disorder diagnosis does—and doesn’t—mean for life moving forward. Speaking from her own experience of God’s transforming grace, Christine helps women to consider stabilizing biblical truths about their personhood, purpose in life, and potential for experiencing progress on their post-diagnosis journey. It’s our prayer that women would walk away from this session feeling encouraged, equipped, and empowered to face their nuanced challenges with fresh perspective.
Executive Director, Blue Ridge Christian Counseling
LPC
Ordained minister
M.A. in Counseling, Westminster Seminary
M.A. Biblical Studies, Westminster Seminary
Author, “After an Affair: Pursuing Restoration”
Author, “Anxious About Decisions: Finding Freedom in the Peace of God” (forthcoming, 2022)
Consulting editor, Journal of Biblical Counseling
Michael Gembola
Michael Gembola is executive director of Blue Ridge Christian Counseling in Southwest Virginia. He is a licensed professional counselor and an ordained minister. He holds masters degrees from Westminster Seminary in Counseling (MAC) and in Biblical Studies (MAR), and has done continuing education in trauma recovery.
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He regularly teaches courses at Westminster Seminary and the Blue Ridge Institute for Theological Education. He is the author of After an Affair: Pursuing Restoration and several articles, and he serves as consulting editor for the Journal of Biblical Counseling. His most next book, Anxious about Decisions: Finding Freedom in the Peace of God, is forthcoming in 2022. He and his wife Kelly live in Roanoke with their two sons and daughter.
Sessions
Divorce & Mercy
“Divorce and Mercy” presents the Bible’s teaching on God’s mercy to those who experience profound suffering in marriage, and the nature of his provision of divorce, as well as common Christian understandings. We’ll consider how best to navigate the complex decision for ourselves or those we love.
Master’s degree in professional counseling in 2012 from Liberty University
Started Live Found, Inc. in 2012
Worked at the Marriage Recovery Center in Seattle since 2015
2 year of peer counseling at a Pregnancy Care Center
1 year at an inpatient drug and alcohol addiction treatment center
Extensive volunteering with teens and mentoring groups since 1995
Sharmen Kimbrough
Sharmen specializes in navigating life and relationships from a Christ-centered perspective. She brings a strong sense of optimism to the table and is often able to reframe issues in a way that brings insight and motivation to change. She loves speaking hope into hard situations and watching people grab hold of that hope to work toward a breakthrough in the mess they’re facing.
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Sharmen Kimbrough opened her own coaching practice in 2012, specializing in helping women navigate divorce, standing for their marriage when their spouse will not, and healing from emotionally and spiritually destructive relationships. Alongside maintaining her own practice, Sharmen also currently works with Dr. David Hawkins at the Marriage Recovery Center based in the Seattle, WA area, where they specialize in working with high-conflict couples and emotionally destructive relationships. She has been an integral part of the MRC team since 2015 and has worked extensively to help men, women, and couples find practical ways to heal – individually or together – and live life much more intentionally.
As a Relationship Coach, she works with individuals and couples who are trying to untangle the mess and impact of emotional and spiritual abuse on their lives, to heal from the trauma and learn to live well, love well and lead well. While she strongly discourages couples counseling where conflict is high and abuse is rampant, she has a unique capacity to stand in the gap for the victim while addressing the underlying, covert power-and-control issues should they insist on couples work. She works hard to help the silenced and down-trodden find their voice and learn to speak it with dignity and strength. She is a strong proponent of individual coaching first, as a chance to heal, find clarity and strengthen boundaries prior to trying to address the symptoms within the relationship.
She also provides coaching for pastors, counselors, and other coaches who are seeking to hone their skills as innovative leaders within their respective environments. She provides life coaching for young adults and college students who are struggling to find their sense of self and direction. She focuses upon learning to walk out the story you do want your life to tell and finding the courage to show up, come out of hiding, and live authentically.
The backbone of her work is built much more upon experience than book-learning. She has experienced a lifetime of learning how to navigate destructive behavior and emotional abuse, as well as divorce and single-parenting. The adversity of her own life has uniquely prepared her to speak wisdom into the lives of those around her. If you would like, you can read more of her testimony here.
Sessions
Spiritual Self-Protection Bootcamp
God’s truth always leads to life, light, and freedom for your soul. And wisdom tells us to seek truth above all else. But, what are we relying on as our source? Most often it is some sort of “authority” in our lives, like our pastor or church, a spouse, or people in our lives we view as more spiritually mature than ourselves. Jesus, however, told us that God himself, through the power of the Holy Spirit in us, is our authority. He has the final say. He makes the final judgement call about the status of our soul. We’re going to account to him for our personal journey with him. Not for the journey someone else may have decided for us. So the question becomes, how do we walk with God as our authority, making room for the people around us to be where they are without losing our soul to them and their ways? How do we use boundaries to show up well, love well, and maintain who God has designed, called and purposed each of us to be? We will talk about how to structure your life in such a way that you walk steadfastly, consistently, and honorably as a daughter of the Most High King, created for such a time as this.
LaTonya Allen
LaTonya is a wife, mother, advocate, and public speaker. A domestic violence survivor, she speaks in support, and sometimes on behalf, of children, women, and men whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence.
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LaTonya survived a deadly attack from her ex-husband that resulted in being shot and the loss of both parents. Driven by her personal tragedy, she has proven to be resilient and adamant to change the landscape of how victims of domestic violence are considered and treated. Her unique experience has motivated her to encourage others and become a champion of change.
The national platform to speak to law enforcement, attorneys, judges, as well as victims and abusers on the effects of domestic violence has catapulted LaTonya to the forefront of advocacy. Her story has been featured on the show ‘American Monster’ on Discovery Plus and the ID Channel.
Although ministry and domestic violence have often been viewed as two very different extremes, LaTonya has worked within ministries to enlighten others and address the often silenced issue of domestic violence in every facet of life. With a desire to infuse hope, courage, and a new perspective on life during and after domestic violence, she continues to push the bar of urgency to end domestic violence through empowerment and prevention. She has also influenced her community by assisting women and youth with confidence, personal development, and growth.
LaTonya is currently authoring her first book entitled “Graced to Recover,” a memoir of her life and restoration from domestic violence is set for release in the near future.
Sessions
Fill Your Own Cup: Healing From Trauma
As a survivor of domestic violence, I will share my healing journey and include some practical tips on how to heal and recover. This session will also cover the relationship between grief and trauma.
M.A. in Professional Counseling, Liberty University
B.A. in Psychology, NC Central University
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (NC, TX)
Licensed Professional Counselor (SD, TX)
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (NC)
EMDRIA Certified Therapist
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional
Tabitha Westbrook
Tabitha teaches skills that help her clients feel better in their lives and work through the traumatic events getting in the way of their day-to-day life. Tabitha believes hope and healing is possible, no matter how bad circumstances have been. She especially takes joy in helping her Christian clients know God more deeply as they heal.
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We live in a world full of stressors – just watching the news can provoke anxiety! Sometimes in our lives we’ve experienced really difficult and traumatic things. Those things can leave a mark on our soul and sometimes our past doesn’t just stay in our past. Maybe you jump at sudden sounds, have nightmares, or aren’t able to get away from the feeling that something bad will happen. You push those feelings away and keep trying to move forward, but some part of you feels stuck. Tabitha Westbrook is a therapist who helps people who have messy, funky pasts (and sometimes messy, funky presents) live amazing, empowered lives today.
Tabitha owns The Journey and The Process, a private practice in Wake Forest, NC that specializes in complex trauma, with a focus on abuse and coercive control. In addition to seeing her own clients, Tabitha oversees a team of therapists in her two Wake Forest offices. She also consults with churches on cases, as well as helping them craft written policies to properly care for victims of abuse. Tabitha also is a coach, speaker, and author of the online course Taking Every Thought Captive, where she teaches practical, hands-on skills to help participants live in the present moment, survive any crisis, deal with all the feels, and work and play well with others.
Sessions
Managing Your Mind to Help Manage Trauma Aftermath
Abuse and trauma can do a number on our minds and souls. We can have thoughts and beliefs that get stuck, flashbacks, nightmares, and a whole host of other things that try to keep us from moving forward. We know God says to set our minds on things above. Additionally, research shows learning to refocus your mind on the present moment can reduce depression and anxiety as much as medication when you practice these skills as little as 10 minutes a day over eight weeks. But the question often is – “How do we do this? What are the tools? What does it practically look like to set our minds on things above?” In this session, Tabitha Westbrook, LMFT, LCMHC, LPC, CCTP will teach you exactly that – practical skills to help refocus your mind so these things don’t continue to haunt you. This session will be experiential and participants will leave with a list of tools to help them in this present moment begin or continue to take back their lives after experiencing trauma and abuse.
Hands-on EMDR Restorative Skill Demo & Activity Training
Licensed Counselors Tabitha Westbrook and Norma Digeso will provide a brief overview of EMDR therapy and lead a small group (limited to 15 participants) in a hands-on, Scripture-based restorative skill demonstration and activity. This optional session will last 60 minutes and will help participants use scripture and self-tapping to reduce feelings of distress.
Project manager, Help[H]er: A Churchwide Response for Women in Crisis,
Project manager and contributor, Domestic Abuse Observation Series
Project manager and contributor, Intro to Messy Care & Discipleship.
Ann Maree Goudzwaard
Ann Maree Goudzwaard is the Executive Director of Help[H]er. She is the co-author of Help[H]er: A Churchwide Response for Women in Crisis (CDM, 2020).
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She also serves as project manager and contributor for the Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship’s Domestic Abuse Observation Series and for its joint project with Shepherd Press, Intro to Messy Care & Discipleship. In addition, she has trained counselors at RTS Charlotte, Eternity College and PeaceWorks University and blogs regularly for enCourage and the Biblical Counseling Coalition. Ann Maree is a biblical counselor with an MDiv/counseling emphasis and a DMin candidate. She is married to Bob, she is the mother of three, and grandmother to thirteen.
Sessions
Walking in Heels
Many women know what it feels like to walk in high heels. That common bond between us when it comes to shoes is also a dynamic when it comes to our relationships. Women get other women. We have the ability to feel each other’s pain. We may not share the exact same experience, yet God has gifted each of us (as helpers) with the capacity to walk in another woman’s shoes.
Renee Best
This verse touches my heart and reminds me why I started my journey in the mental health field. As a Christian, I am passionate about combining faith and spirituality into therapy. I want to help people remove the negative stigma attached to seeking therapy. I love to see people grow and heal from their past and I want to be a part of their journey to feeling whole.
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Although we all deal with trials, having someone to talk to is essential to one’s well-being. As a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, I realize that many of us struggle in our daily lives. Whether we are dealing with financial issues, job related stress, stress from raising a family, or just life in general. There are times we may need someone to talk to or just a shoulder to lean on.
In my spare time, I love a good early morning gym workout, I love to spend time with my family and friends, I love to travel, I love the game of basketball and keep my channel on ESPN; and I love to read a good book, fictional of course. I have been married for over 20 years and have been fortunate enough to raise five wonderful children, our little own blended family, who have blessed us with four grandchildren. Being part of a blended family has taught me the true meaning of love and understanding.
One little secret to leave you with, please don’t tell anyone; I only go to the gym so I can eat cake, cookies, and chocolate 🙂
Sessions
ANEW YOU: Giving Yourself Grace on a Journey to a New You
You ever wonder if you made the right decision or what is next in my life? In this session we will focus on you, the woman and what that means. God tells us that “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalms 139:14 NKJV). As women we tend to focus on our roles and forget our own hopes and dreams. We will explore your hopes, fears and strengths. We will challenge and decrease the symptoms associated with intrusive thoughts. We will learn how to set new goals for ourselves by using self-care and coping skills. In essence, we will work to get back to who we are as women and what that means in the aftermath of domestic violence. By the end of the session I pray you will be able to answer this question: Who am I?
Truth Renewed Ministries
Peter Escue
Peter Escue is a cybersecurity professional with a major software company. He clients include governments and major universities, and he helps them strengthen their defenses against ransomware, advanced persistent threats, and other cyber attacks.
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He is also a certified domestic abuse advocate and biblical counselor, and enjoys pairing his professional skills with his desire to help protect victims of DA.
He and his wife, Jacque, lead the counseling ministry at their church, and also counsel at Truth Renewed Ministries near their home in Texas. They partner together in domestic abuse cases, as well as helping other churches understand the biblical stance on oppression.
Sessions
Tech Safety
Technology can make our lives easier in some respects, but it can also be used to track, harass, and harm our clients. This session with help you understand some of the ways perpetrators can use our cell phones, home automation devices, Internet services, and other technologies to further or continue the abuse of their victims.
Carolyn Weaver
Carolyn “Charismata” Weaver is a lover of Jesus, wife, homeschool mom, artist, blogger, and author of The Invitation. As a CPTSD survivor/overcomer, she is passionate about bringing others into an intimate, healing relationship with God through the artistic process and through her writing.
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The nickname “Charismata” came from a prayer time with Jesus where I asked Him what He called me in heaven. He often calls us things that we can’t even believe for at the time. That was the case for me. The name means “power of His glory”. At that time He first called me that, I was probably the weakest I had ever been, as I was struggling through an intense inner healing process. It was in those valleys of Him healing my deepest wounds from childhood abuse that I came to hear His voice clearly. My passion now is to point others to that same place of healing and intimacy, and for you to find out who God created you to be.
I’m married to an amazingly patient and handsome man who keeps me grounded and have three children. I love to write about my journey with the Lord and enjoy sharing the creative process with others -how it can help you connect with God and bring healing. You can check out more at www.blossomingheartsstudio.com.
I have a BA in Education, and taught for several years as a teacher, which led to me developing several art curriculums for a Christian School and Homeschool organization, at which I also taught art for many years.
From my own healing journey, I’ve been explored several ministries, from inner healing to deliverance style ministries. I have a ordination of ministry certification through Word of God ministries, and currently receiving training in The Immanuel Approach.
My passion is to use all the tools the Lord has given me for inner healing with the artist expression to deepen your experience with the true healer, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Sessions
Art for Trauma Interactive Class: Becoming a New Creation in Christ
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 CSB)
I will be giving step by step instructions on how to paint the butterfly and leading them through listening exercising on how to listen to the Lord through healing art.
Executive Director & Founder, Called to Peace Ministries
Author, Called to Peace: A Survivor’s Guide to Finding Peace & Healing After Domestic Abuse
M.A. in Biblical Counseling, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Joy Forrest
Joy Forrest is the founder and executive director of Called to Peace Ministries. She is author of Called to Peace: A Survivor’s Guide to Finding Peace & Healing After Domestic Abuse and the Called to Peace Companion Workbook.
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She holds an M.A. in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and has been active in counseling ministry since 2005. Joy held the position of Community Educator with a local domestic violence agency from 2000-2001, and is a certified advocate with the NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She has worked with over two thousand victims of domestic abuse since 1997. Joy is a presenter on both Divorce Care and IBCD’s Counseling Care for Domestic Abuse, and is a contributing blogger for the Biblical Counseling Coalition. In her spare time, Joy loves traveling and spending time with her family– especially her 10 grandchildren.
Sessions
The Spiritual Impacts of Abuse
The spiritual impacts of abuse creates confusion. When we cannot find meaning or purpose for our suffering, we often look elsewhere to find it and to escape the pain. This session will open your eyes to the various ways we try to find peace outside of God, how these attempt to escape usually intensify our suffering, and how we can replace these items this session will open your eyes to the various ways we try to find peace outside of God, how these attempts to escape usually intensify our suffering, and how we can replace these idols with the one true God.
SPEAKERS
Joy Forrest
Executive Director & Founder of Called to Peace Ministries
The Spiritual Impacts of Abuse
The Faith Healing Connection
Understanding Forgiveness
Darby Strickland
Counselor, Speaker & Author
How God Will Redeem Your Story
Georgia Shaffer
Coach, Author & Speaker
Moving On: Creating a Better Tomorrow
Five Characteristics of Healthy Healing Relationships
Carolyn J. Thompson
Ninth Judicial District Court Judge, Licensed & Ordained Minister
Putting your best Legal Case Forward with Tiffany Lesnik
Greg Wilson
Counselor, Author
The Church Can (And Must) Be A Place of Safety and Peace
Inside the Mind and Heart of an Abusive Person
Dr. Debra Wingfield
Author, Doctor of Education, Educator
Tips for Parenting Traumatized Children
Christine Chappell
Author, IBCD Outreach Director
Help! I’ve Been Diagnosed with a Mental Disorder
Shannon McCoy
Author, Counselor, Speaker
The Spiritual Impact of Abuse: Exchanging Shallow Substitutes for The One True God
Michael Gembola
Counselor, Author, Teacher
Divorce and Mercy
Sharmen Kimbrough
Counselor, Relationship Coach
Spiritual Self-Protection Bootcamp: Protecting yourself from Spiritual Abuse
Dale & Faith Ingraham
Authors, Pastor, Speaker, Life Coach
What does God say about Abuse?
What Helps, What Hurts?
Hope and Healing
LaTonya Allen
Advocate, Public Speaker, Survivor
My Healing Journey
Tiffany Lesnik
Attorney
Putting your best Legal Case Forward with Carolyn J. Thompson
Tabitha Westbrook
Therapist, Coach, Speaker, Author
Managing Your Mind to Help Manage Trauma Aftermath
Heather Elizabeth
Survivor, Writer, Certified Advocate, Coach, Podcast Host
Rebuilding After Abuse: Body, Mind & Spirit
Ann Maree Goudzward
Trainer, Biblical Counselor, IBCD Project Manager
Walking in Heels
Beth Broom
Counselor, Trauma Specialist
Jesus Delights in Your Healing
Christ’s Model for Trauma Healing
Renee Best
Therapist
ANEW You: Giving yourself grace on a journey to “Anew You”.
Peter Escue
Cybersecurity professional, Domestic Abuse Advocate, Biblical Counselor
Technology Safety for Domestic Abuse Advocates
Carolyn Weaver
Artist, Author, Blogger, Survivor
Art for Trauma interactive class: Becoming a New Creation in Christ
Wonder Dixon
Emcee
Becca Griffits
Worship
Eva Zarzar
Worship
Disclaimer: CTPM provides education and resources to survivors of domestic abuse and educates people who desire to help them. In no way do we seek to be a substitute for the local church. Rather, our goal is to come alongside churches as they seek to support victims of abuse. We call on experts as we deem necessary from diverse professional disciplines and theological backgrounds to share expertise and solutions for survivors. Those invited to speak on issues of faith at our events agree with our statement of faith affirming historically essential doctrines of the Christian faith as set out in the Apostles Creed. We allow for freedom of conscience in the nonessential doctrines such as divorce, remarriage, and male headship.
Thank You To Our Partners
“The Emergency Fund support I received from Called to Peace Ministries allowed me to get a place of my own- to have a safe place to dwell and to have a new beginning.”
Molly
