I Can Help You Build a
Trauma-Equipped Church
Don't just inform your church about trauma, equip your church to become a refuge for the wounded—a place of restoration, renewal, and Spirit-led mission.
Spirit-led coaching for pastors, staff, and volunteers. Discover the three essential ministries that form the Trauma-Equipped Church foundation:
Missional Ministry · Healing Discipleship · Trauma-Equipped Church
Donate Now To Help Grow This MinistryNICE TO MEET YOU
I'm Bob Ahrens —
Trauma-Equipped Church Coach
Before launching this ministry, I spent years leading a 50-person creative and tech agency in Chicago—building teams, solving complex problems, and telling powerful stories. But when God called me into ministry, I left it all behind to follow Him.
That led to 15 years of deep discipleship across five churches, where God refined the tools I now use to equip others. In 2019, I founded The Trauma-Equipped Church in Jacksonville, NC, with Dr. Joe Cappar, editor, and NC Baptist leadership reviews to develop a Spirit-led framework for healing and renewal.
The journey begins with three essential ministries:
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Missional Ministry
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Healing Discipleship
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Trauma-Equipped Church
Later in the page, you will find training to help your church take its first steps toward becoming a Trauma-Equipped Church.
SOON> SCHEDULE FREE CHURCH ASSESSMENT CALL
 "Spiritually, Bob is a man with solid, conservative, personal Christian convictions, who has a strong desire to live his life consistent with his sense of the leading of the Holy Spirit.
By way of character, he is trustworthy, reliable, timely, considerate, and collaborative.
He is not a “Yes” man, but desires to use his energy to work cooperatively, for the best results of common goals."
-Â Joe Cappar
"My renewed partnering engagement with Bob has allowed me to see firsthand how his passion, skills, and dedication have matured.
He is an incredibly hardworking and creative evangelist, not just in a spiritual sense, but for any cause or mission he commits to.
His energy and enthusiasm are infectious, driving projects forward with purpose".
-Â Rick Tucci
"Bob Ahrens is a talented and capable techno-guru who understands the front and back ends of the internet and web-related communication.Â
His years of experience enable him to see the big picture of strategy and implementation.
He is a man of faith, with a solid commitment to Christ-like character".
-Â Dave Lockridge
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My Testimony
From Pain to Purpose. From Silence to Calling.
“I was born into the silence after the war, but my home was still a battlefield. My father carried wounds no one could see, and I learned early that pain often wears a familiar face. Church taught me about peace, but home taught me about survival.”
In the chaos of the 1970s, addiction was everywhere—hidden in plain sight. I found comfort in friendships that mirrored my own brokenness. But even then, God was whispering.
In 2004, the whisper became a call: To name the trauma. To break the silence. To equip the Church to become what it was always meant to be—a refuge for the wounded, a mission field of healing.
This curriculum isn’t just teaching—it’s testimony. It’s the story of how pain became purpose, and how the Church can become Trauma-Equipped through Spirit-led practice.
My Full 16-Page Testimony Is Available to Explore
Want to go deeper? Read the full story and walk with me through the journey that shaped this ministry.
SOON → READ MY FULL TESTIMONYThe Trauma-Equipped Church Strategy Presentation
(Abridged) This is where it all began.
Born from decades of lived experience, ministry, and Spirit-led discernment, this foundational presentation introduced the concept of a Trauma-Equipped Church. What began as a whisper has evolved into a quiet movement—the dream of equipping churches to become safe, healing-centered communities for the walking wounded.
Since this first unveiling, the strategy has evolved—shaping pathways for planting mission points, microchurches, churches, and healing centers across diverse contexts. Each new presentation builds on this original framework, refining tools and accelerating growth.
Three Ministries Are Needed To Build A Trauma-Equipped Church
Becoming a Trauma-Equipped Church is a Spirit-led journey of growth, healing, and cultural transformation. It begins with three essential ministries—each building on the last to create a church that can truly serve the walking wounded.
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Missional Ministry:Â The easiest to implement, this ministry requires minimal cultural shift. It reframes outreach through the lens of trauma-awareness and relational care.
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Healing Discipleship: A deeper step, this ministry integrates both inreach and outreach—discipling wounded hearts while equipping the church to walk alongside them in healing.
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Certified Trauma-Equipped Church:Â The Most Transformative Stage. Serving the underserved trauma marketplace demands significant cultural growth, leadership alignment, and a commitment to safety, restoration, and renewal.
Missional Ministry
The community near your church needs you—we can help you serve.
Healing Discipleships
The next-generation of discipleship will include healing brokenness.
The Trauma-Equipped Church
Equipping the church to serve those affected by trauma.
Why I Do This - Bob Ahrens,
Trauma-Equipped Coach
Over the years, I discovered a ministry model I call Healing Discipleship—a long-term, Spirit-led commitment to emotional and spiritual restoration through obedience to Jesus. I’ve walked this path more than once, and each time, it reshaped me. Now, I help others like you do the same—starting with online training, followed by coaching, and ultimately equipping you to lead healing-centered groups in your local church.
The public is crying out for the Church to rise and shine—to become a refuge for those wounded by trauma. Over 15,000 Facebook followers agree: trauma is a spiritual wound first. Psalm 34:18 reminds us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Even non-Christian counselors recognize the truth of a crushed spirit—because we are triune beings: Body, Mind, and Spirit.
I pray the Spirit moves you through these initial courses. More are coming soon. The journey towards a culture of healing begins here—and you don’t have to walk it alone.
Donate Now To Help Grow This Ministry
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