Trauma Healing Small Groups in Slovenia
Friday 21 July 2023 15:19 In Slovenia, many have experienced war, domestic abuse, car accidents, mental health issues or crime. That suffering beomes a “trauma”; a deep wound of the heart and mind that takes a long time to heal. It damages our relationships, bodies, thoughts, and our faith.
In 2014, I experienced burnout, and depression followed. I began my healing journey with God and His Word. At the time, there was little help the church could offer and I was committed to finding answers using the internet for information. After recovery, I was invited to join a program created by a Bible society called Trauma Healing. Their material helps church leaders know how to assist their people after difficult events. I initially attended out of duty as a church leader, but little did I know God had plans to use me to care for the traumatised. I started as a facilitator and have loved every minute! It has given me an opportunity to discover gifts from God, and I began facilitating small groups, as well as training other facilitators.
Our unique method of trauma healing unites mental health practices and engagement with God through the Bible. Many Bible passages reference suffering and they tell us who God is, how He cares, and this can help us heal from the wounds of our hearts. In Slovenia, many have experienced war, domestic abuse, car accidents, mental health issues or crime. Some experiences in life are so painful that they cause deep and lasting suffering. That suffering is “trauma”; a deep wound of the heart and mind that takes a long time to heal. It damages our relationships, bodies, thoughts, and our faith.
Ladies who attend have an opportunity to tell their story of pain and grief and bring their laments to God. They experience Christ’s love by taking their pain to the cross. They experience healing, restoration, and reconciliation with God, self, and neighbour. They then help the church become a place of healing for others.
I have used this tool as an evangelistic opportunity. I’ve had non-believers join the groups and they have enjoyed learning about God as we journeyed through lessons. I’ve received many encouraging messages about how it has been a blessing for many to be in the group. God has been so good and faithful, and I am glad to be used by Him to train churches how to be of help to those around them, who are hurting. He helps us in all our troubles, so that we can help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God (2 Cor 1:4).
BY GLORIA FORJAN
Stories from Europe > 2023
December
- 12/31/2023 12/31/23, 11:30 PM - Happy New Year from ECM!
- 12/19/2023 12/19/23, 10:15 AM - Connecting with the Global Church
- 12/12/2023 12/12/23, 10:00 AM - Connecting across Europe
November
- 11/28/2023 11/28/23, 12:39 AM - Christian or Kingdom?
- 11/20/2023 11/20/23, 4:20 AM - Why Pray for Mission? | Sam Boog
- 11/14/2023 11/14/23, 9:55 AM - New book dealing with rest and recovery
- 11/8/2023 11/8/23, 12:59 PM - Christian leaders gather from across Europe
October
- 10/27/2023 10/27/23, 10:44 AM - A Great Book: "Church Planting in Europe"
- 10/24/2023 10/24/23, 2:28 PM - Insights into ministry in Greece
- 10/17/2023 10/17/23, 1:08 PM - Sharing the vision for European ministry in… Uruguay?
September
August
- 8/25/2023 8/25/23, 12:44 PM - News from Ukraine
- 8/16/2023 8/16/23, 2:01 PM - A Summer's Story
- 8/4/2023 8/4/23, 11:09 AM - Wild at Heart, a Testimony
- 8/2/2023 8/2/23, 5:07 PM - "Camino Antiguo" Guesthouse in Spain
July
- 7/21/2023 7/21/23, 3:19 PM - Trauma Healing Small Groups in Slovenia
- 7/14/2023 7/14/23, 3:06 PM - Church Planting in Slovenia
- 7/6/2023 7/6/23, 2:54 PM - Equipping a New Generation
- 7/3/2023 7/3/23, 2:02 PM - Mum & Baby Club in Spain
June
- 6/28/2023 6/28/23, 4:00 PM - Life and Ministry in Times of War
- 6/6/2023 6/6/23, 11:05 AM - United in Prayer, discover Mahabba
- 6/2/2023 6/2/23, 1:34 PM - Camino Guesthouse in Spain
May
- 5/22/2023 5/22/23, 3:23 PM - Greenhouse Repaired!
- 5/15/2023 5/15/23, 11:00 AM - Freedom in Christ: a testimony
- 5/8/2023 5/8/23, 12:42 PM - The Irpin church: a testimony of love and service
March
- 3/15/2023 3/15/23, 10:04 AM - Angry and Grateful
- 3/13/2023 3/13/23, 9:37 PM - Living through the war
- 3/7/2023 3/7/23, 10:07 AM - Let's walk!
February
- 2/24/2023 2/24/23, 11:34 AM - They were living in a 15m2 hut...
- 2/2/2023 2/2/23, 5:57 PM - The war has torn down many houses, we are building them up.
January
READ our stories about what is going on across Europe,
PRAY for the projects and the workers involved!
Searching for Hope
April - 14 - 2026 12:52 Across Europe, many people are searching for meaning, identity, and hope. Behind the statistics are real lives. Meet Sander. full storyCalled? Keep going!
April - 08 - 2026 12:42 Sensing God’s call to mission can be both thrilling and daunting. Anna’s journey back to Romania reminds us that when God calls, He provides — and you are never alone. full storyThe Triumph of the Cross
April - 01 - 2026 12:23 As we approach Easter, we remember the Cross — the moment that changed eternity — and give thanks to Jesus, the King of kings. full storyClaremorris Church Opens Its Doors
March - 25 - 2026 11:31 What began as a small gathering in a town hall has become something far greater. On 21 March 2026, the growing church in Claremorris, County Mayo, celebrated the official opening of its very first building — a powerful milestone and a testament to God’s faithfulness. full storyStep Into Mission: Opportunities Across Europe
March - 18 - 2026 10:55 What could your next step in mission look like? Across Europe, doors are open for you to serve, grow, and make a meaningful impact. Whether you’re exploring a short-term experience or sensing a longer-term call, there are opportunities waiting where your gifts can make a real difference. full storyWomen of Faith
March - 04 - 2026 12:27 This March, we celebrate the incredible women serving in mission — women who lift God’s name high, shine His light, and make a difference across Europe. full storyA Church Takes Root
February - 25 - 2026 11:48 In the fast-paced rhythm of Budapest, a new church is taking root. Through patient relationship-building and creative outreach, Tamás and Virág are seeing lives changed and a vibrant community begin to grow. full storyEncouraging Growth in Portugal
February - 18 - 2026 12:05 There are hopeful signs of growth in Portugal, as new data reveals a significant rise in church planting across the country — a reminder that God is at work, often in ways we may not immediately see. Read on to see what God is doing! full storyThe Heavens Declare
February - 11 - 2026 13:17 Berlin Psalm Project’s second album is here! Experience the Psalms like never before, with jazz-inspired arrangements that stir the soul. full storyNew Neighbours
February - 04 - 2026 12:48 What does it mean to leave a familiar, supportive Christian environment and move to a place where the gospel is rarely heard? Last August, Edward and Trix Landman took that step together with their children. Now, a year later, they look back on their first experiences. full storyJoin God’s Story in Europe
January - 28 - 2026 17:24 At ECM, our work is more than programmes and projects—it’s about people, and ultimately, it’s about God, at work in and through us. Every time a believer is equipped, a community is connected, or a disciple is multiplied, it is His Spirit moving, using us as instruments for His glory. full storyA New Beginning in Frankfurt
January - 21 - 2026 14:12 In one of Germany’s largest cities, a new church-plant is emerging through prayer, presence, and trust in God’s leading—bringing hope to the Oberrad community. full storyHope, Healing, and Growth in Barcelona
January - 14 - 2026 11:22 Something is happening in a church in Barcelona—something gentle, hopeful, and hard to ignore. Andy and Andrea Warner have been watching how quiet healing, honest searching, and unexpected growth are transforming people's lives. full storyThere’s no Plan B...
January - 07 - 2026 10:54 “The church is God’s plan for the salvation of the world. There’s no Plan B… God is putting all his eggs in the church basket.” (Stephen Foster) Thank you for being part of God’s great Plan A! full storyHappy New Year from ECM!
January - 01 - 2026 11:41 May 2026 be a year of hope, growth, and renewed courage to share Christ in every community. Together, one disciple, one church, one soul at a time, we can see Europe transformed. full storyMerry Christmas from ECM!
December - 23 - 2025 11:15 As Christmas approaches, we pause to celebrate the greatest gift the world has ever received: Jesus Christ, God with us. His birth reminds us that hope shines brightest in the darkest places—just as your partnership helps the gospel reach communities across Europe where hope is needed most. THANK YOU! full storyStanding with Bitaj
December - 16 - 2025 11:03 As Christmas approaches, many of us are preparing to gather in warm, familiar places — churches filled with carols, candlelight, and the joy of Christ’s coming. In Bitaj, Albania, the Way of Peace Church has long been such a place: a simple building where families come to worship, to learn, and to find compassion in Jesus. And now they need our help. full storyJoin the Team
December - 09 - 2025 10:23 Remedy International Wesleyan Church in Poděbrady is seeing remarkable growth among students and is praying for new English-speaking missionaries to join their team. This opportunity invites you to invest in relationships, strengthen a vibrant church community, and share the hope of the gospel in the Czech Rep. full story