OUTREACH INITIATIVE

The relationship between the effects of trauma and the Christian imperative to forgive has not yet been clarified in faith and outreach communities.

Status quo asserts forgiveness is a choice—feelings catch up later. And yet, beneath this simple statement, a host of complex realities exist for good people caught in the thickets of distressing emotion.

What began in 2003 with one abuse survivor’s personal struggle now comprises a decade of writing, field work, and support group facilitation; the inspiration behind Mission EDIFY.

“The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue to know the words that sustain the weary”
(Isaiah 50:4).

Mission EDIFY bridges the perplexing gap between the emotional aftermath of trauma and the freedom to forgive as Christ commands—from the heart.

FIELD WORK & FEEDBACK

  • “In church, I always felt like I was wrong to feel rage. This teaching freed me to express the pain and anger and hurt that was bottled up in the deepest place of my heart. It was a real turning point. I was able to release what had been trapped inside. God gave me my voice back. He gave Wendy Redroad a key to open the door for me.” —Ronda

    ”I’ve heard all the same lessons most people hear in church—how if you don’t forgive others you will not be forgiven. What I learned from this program is how to look beneath my emotions and identify the core lies behind them and HOW to yield them to Jesus. I recommend this class to all women who struggle to forgive. It will change you forever.” —Laura

  • “The first time I told my Bible Study group that I hated my dad for abusing me they prayed God would help me to forgive [him.] What I needed most was validation and comfort. Wendy’s program on forgiveness helped me to understand WHY I struggled to forgive and helped me to move forward.” —Laura

    “God is not angry or disappointed in me. He is grieving for and with me! He is angry about what happened to me, and He will avenge me. We can’t always pay forgiveness forward right away. In the beginning, it’s about yielding our pain to Jesus until we are filled enough to give forgiveness away. Wendy Redroad reached down into my soul and gave my thoughts and feelings words. “ —Faith

    ”I forgave my father for abusing me years ago. But I carried shame my whole life—thinking it was sinful of me to feel so angry. Once I learned that anger is one of “the passions” with its primary root in Love, I felt free. I got my voice back. I finally feel clean.”
    —Pam

    “Wendy’s teaching is amazing. She tells us that it’s okay if we can’t forgive right now. I was sick of hearing I must forgive. She is relatable and she understands the struggle. She has a gift and it brings me hope.” —Holly

  • “In working the twelve steps, I’ve learned over the years how to identify my destructive behavioral patterns. What I’ve never understood is how to move forward. How to Forgive What You’ll Never Forget is the first teaching to show me HOW to get from A to B.”
    —Catholic parishioner

    ”Strong. Solid. Encouraging. Empowering. REAL.”
    —Amy Carter, Support Group Facilitator and Staff Member, Hilltop Recovery Ministries.

  • Safe house resident. Not to be rude, but you probably aren’t going to say anything I haven’t already heard.

    Wendy. Fair enough, but since we have this time together, let’s see what happens.

    Resident (smiling). I’ve never heard anything like this before.

    Wendy. I was hoping you’d say that.

    “Wendy says things I don’t want to hear, but need to hear if I want to get better. She has a calming voice and she’s sincere. Also, she’s funny.” —A

    “I’ve heard all the same lessons most people hear in church--how if you don't forgive others, you will not be forgiven. What I learned from Wendy is how to look beneath my emotions, how to identify the core lies behind them, and HOW to entrust them to Jesus. I recommend this program for all women who've been abused. It will change you forever.”
    —L (support group)

  • Location:The Murray Unit, Gatesville, TX

    “In nine years of prison ministry I’ve become acutely aware that the main issue the majority of inmates struggle with is forgiveness—for themselves and others. Wendy’s teaching unlocks the mystery of how to forgive what you will never forget with practical guidance. Her message opened their eyes to new ways of understanding and approaching forgiveness.”—Donna Criswell, Prison Ministry Director, Chapel of Hope

  • Pilot Program: Catholic Women
    Location: Good Shepherd Catholic Community, Colleyville, TX

    “I believed that forgiveness was equal to absolution, but I was not capable of absolving how I felt about my experiences. I felt guilty. In my formative years, I was not taught how to trust God with my emotions.” —MK

    ” I liked how the psychology of the teaching goes hand in hand with the sacraments. I have a better understanding of how to discern and talk to God. This program is a good way to teach Catholics (young and old) a refreshing way to view the sacraments. “There is no condemnation in Christ”—not even in our emotions. He will not forsake us no matter how we feel about the wrong done to us.” —parishioner

    CRHP Alumni

    I have a better idea of how to take brokenness to the cross—rather than attempt to “pray it away.”

    • This teaching illustrates how to identify the sacraments at work in us as we journey through forgiveness.

    • The teaching illustrates how to deepen our relationship with Christ, who transforms us. We cannot transform ourselves.

    • It’s healing to speak the truth about the past and to recognize and speak the truth moving forward.

    • Wendy’s beautiful smile and pleasant voice make this presentation a joy. (When the messenger is positive and full of life, it’s easier to receive.)

  • “Wendy Redroad’s approach to forgiveness rocked my world! It allowed me to walk through my own journey of healing in a new way. This program shakes the foundation of how the topic of forgiveness is presented to abuse survivors.” —Carrie, Cherished Support Group Leader

    ”Mission EDIFY reveals a path that is meant to be an intimate walk through our pain with Christ. Those who struggle will embrace this program.”

    Proven Way Ministries Leadership Workshop/General Comments(Break out session with Wendy Redroad)

    • “Wendy Redroad best equipped me for my ministry.”

    • “I was most inspired/impacted by Wendy’s class.”

    •“Wendy’s breakout sessions were most applicable to my ministry.”—Proven Way Ministries Leadership Workshop/General Comments