What's on the Horizon?

How can creative expression help carry the weight of trauma? This workshop on Arts in the Trauma Healing Process explores how the arts offer a safe, nonverbal pathway when words fall short. Because trauma can disrupt well-being, memory, relationships, and a sense of safety, creative practices provide a gentle way to process experiences, rebuild meaning, and reconnect.

This session introduces a Scripture-based program blending culturally relevant arts with trauma-informed care to foster self-awareness, emotional regulation, and connection. Grounded in safety, thoughtful facilitation, and respect for individual needs, it presents the arts as flexible pathways moving people from survival toward healing and renewed possibility. We will even dive into a few hands-on, experiential exercises together.

Who's It For?

• Ministry Leaders: Pastors and church leaders seeking practical, compassionate ways to care for their congregations.

• Field Workers: Cross-cultural workers navigating challenging environments who want grounded, trauma-informed tools for daily ministry.

• Everyday Carers: Church members eager to understand trauma better, support those around them, and practice healthy self-care.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding of trauma and the core principles of trauma-informed care.

• Practical, ready-to-use tools for caring for yourself and others.

• Fresh insights into how Scripture encourages and supports us in compassionate engagement.

Speaker’s Profile

Mary Beth Saurman is an international consultant in EthnoArts and Ethnomusicology with SIL Global, bringing over 30 years of experience in Asia. She holds a PhD from Bern University and is a trained Music and Creative Arts Therapist, specialising in integrating cultural arts into literacy, education, and trauma recovery. Together with her husband Todd, she designs and leads arts, healing, and community development training programs globally at both short-term and Master’s levels.

Shaped by a global upbringing, Mary Beth attended 12 different schools in 12 years, and spent much of her youth overseas. Mary Beth and Todd have been married for 43 years. After working at a Mennonite psychiatric hospital in the US for many years, they moved to Asia over 32 years ago. One of Mary Beth’s favourite moments in a day is when she gets to watch a sunset and have a “thanking God moment” for the beauty and for the gifts of the day.