My new field personnel assignment is Minister to the Arts Community, Refugees/Immigrants, based in Graz, Austria. My new work has three primary emphases, which draw on my training and background in the arts and in trauma-informed therapy.
First, I will train others, in English (alongside the EBF, European Baptist Federation), in using a trauma-informed care approach to ministry (trauma-informed expressive arts therapy) using the arts, to those ministering with refugees and immigrants in Europe. These refugees could be Ukrainian or from other parts of the world.
Secondly, as a pastor/minister to artists, I will be joining the International Baptist Theological Seminary (IBTS) Arts and Mission group as a volunteer and pastor/minister to artists from around Europe, helping to build and develop appropriate ministries. I will also identify artists and artist communities and networks across the European region, developing connections, encouraging, pastoring, and partnering with them in ministry.