A fitting end to the week at the annual meeting for the Southern Baptist Convention was attending with one of the survivors “Yet She is Advancing”, an exhibit about New Orleans women and their advocacy for the right to vote. We learned that while women’s right to vote came in 1920 after decades of advocating…
Dr. Heather Evans had the honor to present on the topic of Adult Sexual Abuse with Pastor Todd Benkert and Chellee & Peter Taylor at a breakout session at the Southern Baptist Convention 2023 annual meeting in New Orleans. Please watch and listen to the recording of the session below. Consider sharing with others to…
Dr. Heather Evans joins the Evancynical Podcast to discuss spiritual abuse and the trauma that comes along. As image bearers we are given voice, relationship, and power. However “trauma silences voice, makes one powerless and disrupts relationship.” In spiritual trauma, someone is wounded in the name of God, and therefore has a greater level of…
#ChurchToo is a social media movement that illuminates abuse in church or ministry environments. The movement enables survivors to “advocate, share their stories, and connect with one another using the hashtag #ChurchToo.” Dr. Evans and Hannah Wildasin’s article in the Journal of Urban Mission takes a look at sexual abuse in the church. From the…
I am preparing to attend a Community of Practice this week organized by the American Bible Society. This annual gathering includes an opportunity to network and learn from those committed to domestic and global trauma healing. This year’s theme is “We are Sojourners: Refugees & Trauma.” It is an appropriate theme in a glaring, growing…
Today I attended the sentencing hearing for a local human trafficker. Over the last 2 years since his arrest, VAST (Valley Against Sex Trafficking) Coalition, has sought to work alongside law enforcement and prosecutors by providing stabilizing support for 7 of the victims. The room was glaringly empty. A newspaper reporter, and a couple…
I am preparing to teach a group of high school girls this weekend at a youth retreat. I have the privilege of talking about Deborah, a model of Biblical womanhood, and her partnership with Barak, a picture of God’s design for men and women partnering in mission as we reflect the image of our Creator. …