Mending the Soul Ministries was founded by Celestia Tracy, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and her husband Steve, Professor of Theology and Ethics at Phoenix Seminary, in order to empower communities and equip churches for ministry to those impacted by abuse. Foundational to Mending the Soul Ministries is the integration of scientific and social research on abuse with biblical and theological truth. Mending the Soul: Understanding and Healing Abuse was written by Dr. Steven Tracy in 2005. Since it's publication, Mending the Soul Ministries has expanded its vision to not only include church ministries, but also the development of research-based curriculum and trainings for public schools, counseling agencies, and other social service organizations. Mending the Soul Ministries works with leaders domestically and internationally.
MTS Adult Resources
Mending the Soul Ministries is committed to helping adult survivors of abuse in order to break generational patterns of abuse through hope, healing, and freedom. The Mending the Soul Adult Workbook was written and designed with Small Groups in mind. Many leaders in churches, domestic violence and crisis shelters have emerged and have been trained to facilitate MTS Adult Small Groups. Participants are encouraged to complete the exercises in their workbook during the week and are given the opportunity to share their thoughts, feelings and insight with their group each week. Many of these Small Groups take place through churches so a Church Resource Guide has been developed in order to walk a leader through the entire process of setting up an MTS Adult Small Group.
In addition to the MTS book, workbook and leader's guide, Mending the Soul Ministries has produced a high quality CD which contains teaching by Dr. Tracy on understanding abuse and its effects. Also, in October 2007, Radio Bible Class, aired a four-part TV special called, "When Love Hurts: Understanding and Healing Domestic Abuse", which featured the Mending the Soul Ministry leadership team and resources. The TV special is available for purchase on DVD through Mending the Soul Ministries.
MTS Student Resources
Mending the Soul -Student Resources, directed by Kristi Ickes, is the first level of intervention curriculum from Mending the Soul Ministries. Integral to MTS Student Resources is the belief that "you can't put band-aids on a broken heart". Counselors, teachers and youth leaders who love students rarely know how to address the root cause of pain in their students' lives. While there are many resources that try to stop the negative behaviors and attitudes, no other material addresses these issues at their core.
The MTS Student Edition is already being used in public schools, counseling agencies and churches throughout Arizona with great praise and success. The material can be used in both individual and small group formats. A Small Group Facilitator's Guide is currently being developed, which will provide all the resources necessary to use this material in small groups.
HELPS
The HELPS Project (Highlighting Emotional Learning and Personal Safety), directed by Dr. Missy Gryder, is the prevention component of Mending the Soul Ministries. Integral to the HELPS Project is the belief that "every child deserves to be safe". Dr. Gryder has written curriculum that is taught to kindergarten through fifth grade children and aligns with Arizona Academic standards. All lessons use the foundational research of Mending the Soul and assist in the prevention of childhood physical and sexual abuse by educating and empowering children to their public school classrooms. Children learn that their body and feelings deserve to be safe and are taught safety skills and techniques.
