GRACE

2025 has been a difficult year for so many-- and we have felt that here, at GRACE. In addition to the loss of our friend, and beloved Executive Director Pete, this has also been a year of unexpected funding loss. Our resources are stretched, even as the demand for GRACE’s work continues to grow into new, and exciting territory. And that’s why we’re turning to you. GRACE’s work has always been fueled by people who believe that the Church can do better—and must do better. Your generosity is not just a gift. It is participation in our mission. It tangibly protects children. It strengthens churches. It offers survivors the dignity of being heard and supported. Your year-end support is a source of light in the darkness, ensuring that GRACE can continue responding to those who need us— those looking for a reason to keep hoping that compassionate, safe, accountable, healing faith communities are possible. Give today at netgrace.org/donate #GRACE #yearendgiving #abuseprevention #abuseresponse

Looking to create a more compassionate and safe community for those who are hurting? Join our 2-hour online training and discover how a trauma-informed approach can transform the way we care for people in our faith communities. In this interactive session, you’ll explore: ✨ What trauma really is ✨ How it shapes the way people experience care and connection ✨ The four “R’s” of trauma-informed care ✨ The six key principles you can start applying right away Plus, you won’t just learn—you’ll engage with real-time examples that bring these concepts to life. Register today: grace.trainercentralsite.com/session/becomi…

A new open-access peer-reviewed research report from the Center for Institutional Courage indicates that institutional courage (not as a singular act, but an enduring way of being) buffers the harm of institutional betrayal. Or in the words of study co-author and founder and president of the Center for Institutional Courage, Jennifer Freyd, "Institutions don't have to be perfect but they have to show some courage." Previous research by Freyd (2018) provides practical examples of institutional courage, including cherishing the whistleblower, engaging in transparent self-study (e.g., anonymous surveys), bearing witness to survivors' pain by apologizing for past wrongdoings, and devoting financial resources to survivors' needs. When a faith community fails to prevent harm, its next steps MATTER. By choosing institutional courage over self-protection, transparency over reputation, listening over excuses, independent investigations over internal ones, lament over defense, compassion over self-preservation... it makes a difference. To read the full study visit: psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2025-… To find out more about GRACE's independent investigations, assessments, and consults visit: Netgrace.org #GRACE #CenterforInstitutionalCourage #InstitutionalCourage #InstitutionalBetrayal #IndependentInvestigations #Transparency #AbusePrevention #ChurchHarm #AbuseResponse

Since its founding 22 years ago, GRACE’s mission has remained unchanged: empowering Christian communities to recognize, prevent, and respond to abuse. However, we cannot effectively pursue this mission without centering the lived experiences of those who have personally navigated abuse in these spaces. To truly recognize and respond, we must first listen. If you are a survivor of trauma within a faith community, we are inviting you to share your perspective through a brief survey. Your insights are not just helpful—they are essential for guiding and informing GRACE’s ongoing work and will help our team develop resources rooted in the reality of survivor needs. This survey is anonymous and every question is optional. NOTE: We recognize that sharing your story can be difficult. Please engage with this survey only if and when you feel emotionally ready to do so. Your well-being always comes before our data. Take the Survey: forms.gle/U9tmiP9PsTpuqq… #Survey #ChurchHarm #SurvivorVoices #GRACE #AbusePrevention #AbuseResponse #Traumainformedcare

The news cycle is relentless, and the devastating headlines surrounding the Epstein files have sparked intense conversations and deep questions within our congregations. People are looking for guidance. How do we, as Christians, process such widespread, systemic exploitation? And more importantly, how does our response to this news reflect how we handle abuse within our own faith communities? In a recent episode of the Baptist News Global podcast, Highest Power: Church + State, GRACE’s Laura Thien and Robert Peters sit down for a brief conversation to explore some of the tensions present in high-profile abuse cases, and how we can respond. As we navigate these difficult cultural moments, we hope this conversation will serve as a resource for trauma-informed, Christ-centered compassion. 🎧 Listen to Episode 108 of the Baptist News Global podcast here: SPOTIFY - highestpower.podbean.com/e/ep108-respon… PODBEAN - highestpower.podbean.com/e/ep108-respon… #netGRACE #ChurchCulture #ProtectTheVulnerable #Safeguarding #MinistryMatters #PastoralCare #abuseprevention #abuseresponse

This 2-hour training course examines how a trauma-informed approach provides safer, more compassionate faith communities for the vulnerable and hurting. -What is trauma? -How does our understanding of trauma impact how we care for those in our faith communities? -What are the four "R's" of trauma-informed care? -What are the six principles of trauma-informed care? Participants will engage in real-time with interactive examples. Register here today: grace.trainercentralsite.com/session/becomi…

Traditionally, Christianity has approached the topic of suffering through the framework of Theodicy—the intellectual pursuit of reconciling a good and powerful God with the existence of evil. But for those who have experienced trauma, the intellectual answers of theodicy can end up bypassing the very real pain of the present. Trauma theology focuses on the experience of God’s presence within suffering rather than searching for a reason for it. Theodicy asks for an explanation. Trauma Theology asks for a witness. One seeks to understand the mind of God; the other seeks to experience the heart of God in the ruins. #GRACE #TraumaTheology #Theodicy #TheProblemofPain #TraumaInformedCare

The Shepherd Stays. When a report of abuse or harm surfaces in a church, we follow Jesus who walked directly into the world’s trauma to bring healing. In John 10, Jesus distinguishes Himself from those who run when danger appears. For a church to be truly trauma-informed, it must commit to staying present for the survivor. The latest research tells us that healing cannot happen without a felt sense of safety. Theology tells us that God is our "Refuge and Strength." When we build safe ministries, we are creating a physical space where the character of God is finally believable to those who have been harmed. #TraumaInformed #GoodShepherd #ChurchSafety #SacredCalling #GRACE

Don't wait for something to go wrong. GRACE's organizational assessments typically include conducting a survey to gain a pulse of your organizational culture, interview pertinent individuals with personal experiences or information, gather data to assess the culture, pinpoint any specific areas of organizational growth, and present the organization with findings and recommendations to enhance organizational culture to better meet the needs of those under your care. Learn more about Assessments at Netgrace.org/independent-in… #GRACE #OrganizationalAssessments #ChurchCulture #AbusePrevention #ChurchHealth

A "Safe Church" doesn't happen by accident. It is built through the hard, intentional work of transparency, accountability, and trauma-informed care. It requires us to move beyond "protection mode" and toward a culture that reflects the heart of the Good Shepherd. Are you ready to do the work of building a true sanctuary? Join us for the Safe Church Course starting this Thursday. Register here: #SafeChurch" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">grace.trainercentralsite.com/course/safe-ch… #TraumaInformed #DianeLangberg #AbusePrevention #ChurchLeadership #GRACE

Head over to our YouTube Channel to watch the entirety of our most recent GRACE Live Conversation on Religion, Exploitation, & Trafficking with Doug Gilmer and Angie Conn! 🔗 @gracegodlyresponsetoabusei6445" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">youtube.com/@gracegodlyres… #GRACELiveConversations #GRACE #Community #Healing #TraffickingAwareness #AbuseAwareness

Creating a safer church isn't just about external safeguards—it’s also about how we care for the vulnerable, the cultural environments we create, and our willingness to continue to learn and self-examine. Cultural assessments by GRACE are a proactive way to get a pulse on your current organizational culture, pinpoint any specific areas of growth, and present recommendations to better meet the needs of those under your care. For more information on Assessments visit Netgrace.org/investigations #GRACE #OrganizationalAssessment #CulturalAssessment #IndependentInvestigations #SafeChurch #ChurchLeadership

Ever wonder why GRACE puts so much emphasis on the idea of independent, third-party investigations? Tune in to our latest podcast episode over on The GRACE Awakening to learn more about our investigative process and common questions that our institutional response team gets asked in consultations. Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at Netgrace.org/podcast #GRACE #IndependentInvestigations #TruthMatters #AbuseAwareness #AbuseResponse #FaithPodcasts #ChristianPodcasts

When the church prioritizes popularity, position, power and prestige over people, the message of the gospel is fundamentally lost. As Scot McKnight writes, "the church can only witness to the truth of Jesus by seeking justice, serving with humility, operating transparently, and confessing and lamenting failures." This is why GRACE offers independent third-party investigations into allegations of abuse or misconduct in faith communities—not to tear the church down, but rather to strengthen its witness through the practices of justice, humility, transparency, confession, and corporate lament. Learn more about GRACE Investigations at Netgrace.org/investigations #GRACE #GodlyResponsetoAbuse #IndependentInvestigations #SpiritualAbuse #ChurchHarm #AChurchCalledTov #AbuseAwareness #AbuseResponse

There is still time to join GRACE's spring cohort of the "Safe Church Course: Abuse Prevention & Response" Online Course! This 8-week leadership course meets on Thursday nights for 3 hours. Participants learn the core dynamics of abuse in faith contexts, explore the Bible’s teaching on power and vulnerability, and learn concrete strategies for prevention, response, survivor care, reporting, and managing known offenders. 🗓️: Thursdays from March 5-April 30, 2026 ⏰️: 7-10pm ET 🖥️ : Live on Zoom Instructors: Wade Mullen & Mike Sloan Learn more at Netgrace.org/safe-church-co… #SafeChurchTrainingCenter #GRACE #OnlineTraining #ChurchTraining #ChurchLeadershipCourse #AdvocateTraining #AbusePrevention #AbuseResponse

In 2025, GRACE partnered with 177 organizations to foster safer faith environments across three continents. Our year at a glance: — 18 Independent investigations conducted. — 65 Safeguarding trainings for leaders and volunteers. — 242 Expert consultations provided. — 15 Podcast episodes launched to tackle systemic harm. We are moving into 2026 with a renewed resolve to reflect God’s love and justice. Read it here --> static1.squarespace.com/static/5b0a335…

Join us TODAY for a one-hour panel discussion about Religion, Exploitation, & Human Trafficking. When: Feb 18 at 1pm ET Guests: Angie Conn & Doug Gilmer Cost: FREE We will examine -Deep-seated misconceptions about how trafficking occurs -The significant role of online exploitation -The impacts of cultural grooming within spiritual spaces -How faith communities can get involved in creating restorative spaces for survivors Register here - us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regist… This event will be recorded and will be available on YouTube.

Join us TOMORROW for a one-hour panel discussion about Religion, Exploitation, & Human Trafficking. When: Feb 18 at 1pm ET Guests: Angie Conn & Doug Gilmer Cost: FREE Guests Angie Conn & Doug Gilmer will explore the significant role of online exploitation, the impacts of cultural grooming within spiritual spaces, and ways faith communities can help create restorative spaces for survivors. Register today - us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regist… This event will be recorded and will be available on YouTube.

Faith-based approaches to trafficking are uniquely positioned to address the spiritual impact of this particular form of trauma. However, clear ethical guidelines are necessary to prevent spiritual language and principles from being weaponized as a means of control or re-traumatization . Last year, the Global Learning Community facilitated a FREE and helpful guide for faith-based organizations interested in engaging in anti-trafficking work. The guiding principles in this document are indispensable and recognize the unique strengths of faith-based approaches while addressing the distinct challenges that come with integrating faith into trauma-informed and survivor-centered care. Download now at globallearningcommunity.org/resources/ethi… #Antitrafficking #HumanTraffickingAwareness #ExploitationAwareness #EthicalGuidelines #FaithBasedOrganizations #GlobalLearningCommunity #GRACE

Join us next week for a one-hour panel discussion about Religion, Exploitation, & Human Trafficking. When: Feb 18 at 1pm ET Guests: Angie Conn & Doug Gilmer Cost: FREE Guests Angie Conn & Doug Gilmer will explore the significant role of online exploitation, the impacts of cultural grooming within spiritual spaces, and ways faith communities can help create restorative spaces for survivors. Register today - us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regist… This event will be recorded and will be available on YouTube.

New Episode of the GRACE Awakening Podcast is out NOW! In this special release podcast, Robert sits down with GRACE Executive Director Laura Thien and Executive Editor Wade Mullen to pull back the curtain on our Independent Investigations. Tune in to learn how the GRACE team handles bias, what it means to be trauma-informed, and common questions we get asked by churches and individuals about the investigative process. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or at Netgrace.org/podcast #TheGRACEAwakening #GRACE #IndependentInvestigations #FaithPodcasts #ChristianPodcasts