Trauma Healing Workshop
The Trauma Healing Workshop is a capacity-building initiative by the American Bible Society – Trauma Healing Institute and offered by the Bible Society of the South Pacific to support churches and communities across the Pacific. Many people in the region face deep emotional wounds caused by personal loss, domestic violence, disasters, or other difficult experiences. Through Trauma Healing, the Bible Society works with churches to bring hope, restoration, and healing through God’s Word.
This program is currently active in several Pacific nations, helping equip local leaders to guide communities through a journey of healing.
Two-Part Training Approach
The Trauma Healing program is delivered in two main parts:
1. Healing Groups
Trained facilitators conduct Healing Groups within communities. These small groups provide a safe space where participants can:
Share their experiences
Reflect on biblical principles related to suffering and healing
Support one another through guided discussions and activities
Healing Groups help individuals process trauma and discover hope and restoration through Scripture and community support.
2. Equipping Session
The Equipping Session is a training program conducted by the Bible Society in partnership with churches and ministry organisations. During this training:
Pastors, church leaders, and ministry workers learn how to facilitate Trauma Healing groups.
Participants gain practical tools to support people experiencing emotional or spiritual wounds.
New facilitators are equipped to bring the program back to their churches and communities.
Through this approach, the program grows as trained facilitators continue the work in their own contexts.
Trauma Healing Across the Pacific
The Trauma Healing ministry currently operates in five countries across the Pacific: Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Kiribati.
Fiji
Trauma Healing has been active in Fiji since 2016, building a strong network of facilitators who are able to conduct Healing Groups and train new facilitators.
Over the years, the program has expanded to:
Local churches
Theological schools
Community ministry settings
As the program approaches its 10-year milestone, the team has also introduced Oral Trauma Healing Groups, which are designed for communities where storytelling and oral learning are more effective.
Trauma Healing resources in Fiji are now available in:
iTaukei
Hindi
Rotuman
These translations ensure that more people can engage with the material in their heart language.
Tonga
In Tonga, the Trauma Healing ministry has developed a growing pool of facilitators who are actively leading Healing Groups.
One of the significant developments in Tonga is the introduction of the program within the prison system, offering inmates an opportunity to reflect, heal, and rebuild their lives.
Trauma Healing materials have been translated and are now available in the Tongan language.
Vanuatu
In Vanuatu, the Trauma Healing project continues with support from the World Day of Prayer initiative. The program has a strong focus on addressing domestic abuse, using Trauma Healing resources to help individuals and families find healing and restoration.
Resources for the program are available in Bislama, making them accessible to local communities.
Solomon Islands
In Solomon Islands, a group of facilitators has previously been trained, and there is a clear need for Healing Groups across communities.
Trauma Healing resources are already available in Solomon Islands Pijin, and there is hope to restart training and expand the program in the near future.
Please continue to pray for the revival and growth of Trauma Healing training in the Solomon Islands.
Kiribati
In Kiribati, the first Equipping Session was conducted at the end of 2025, marking the beginning of Trauma Healing ministry in the country.
Participants were trained using newly translated resources in the Kiribati language, allowing facilitators to lead Healing Groups in their own communities.
This marks an important step in building local capacity to support people dealing with trauma.
Building Stronger Communities
Through partnerships with churches, ministry leaders, and local communities, the Trauma Healing program seeks to restore lives and strengthen communities across the South Pacific. By equipping facilitators and providing culturally relevant resources, the Bible Society continues to expand this important ministry.
Together, we believe that healing is possible when people encounter God’s Word in a supportive and caring community.
