How can churches help with Combat Trauma?  Because Combat Trauma is effectively a deep wound of the soul, it can't be fully healed without the divine intervention of the Lord.  A church's community of believers offers the best environment to treat a wounded soul, because it offers an atmosphere that fosters the development of relationships with Christ.  

A church's healing environment should encompass a community of compassion; a relationship of unconditional acceptance and understanding; recognition that God is the Healer; a foundation in prayer; and service to others in obedience to Christ.  The victim of Combat Trauma often wants to withdraw and self-isolate as a coping mechanism, yet we read in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 "Two people are better than one, for they can help each other succeed.  If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.  But someone who falls alone is in real trouble." 

The path to spiritual healing begins with reaching out in unconditional love to the afflicted veteran and his or her family to bring them into the community, and begin to address their situation.  Bridges to Healing seminars (www.militaryministry.org) offered by the Military Ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ can equip churches for appropriate and relevant outreach to active military, Guard, Reserve, combat veterans, and their families with the love of Christ. This training is designed to fit within many existing church ministries such as: providing pastoral care; small group discipleship and fellowship; Christian counseling; and other healing services.