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An Introduction to the Fallen Soldiers March® From seedlings planted in the 1700s in America and Europe, to the first blossoms born in the laboratory of Wundt and the psychoanalytical couch of Freud in the late 1800s, the church has increasingly surrendered its belief in the sufficiency of Scripture to address all matters of life and faith (2 Peter 1:3, et. al). As the western culture, including its seminaries, ever-increasingly prioritized the scientism of psychology and psychiatry in addressing the problems of the heart and soul, the church found itself abandoning its role and responsibility to counsel to the fields of secular psychology and integrationism. We invite you to read how The Lord is blessings our mission and welcome your help expanding awareness to those in need of assistance, as well as to Certified Biblical Counselors interested in joining our network. I would welcome an opportunity to talk with you to share our ministry with you and to discern your interest in joining FSM’s network to help one Veteran, more if your schedule will accommodate as we grow and to learn how FSM may be able to support the Veteran, Military & First Responder Communities you serve and your interest in helping us accomplish our mission. Fallen Soldiers March has been building a network of Certified Biblical Counselors to address the “Consequences of War” in ways that glorify God. Fallen Soldiers March (FSM) exists to help reduce the 20+ daily Veteran suicides and to assist Veterans & all Military & First Responder families seeking to understand how God is Sovereign over all His creation & all circumstances. Don Roy, is an ACBC Fellow who flew F-14's as a radar interceptor for 30 years and is an FSM Senior Advisory Board member helping us build the network described below. The Fallen Soldiers March gifts Certified Biblical Counseling, Service Dogs & Advocacy to help Veterans, Military & First Responder families overcome the Consequences of War (Post Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury, Blast-Induced Brain Injury, Paralysis, Mobility issues, Neurological Challenges, Chemical Exposure, MST, Moral Injury, Divorce, Addiction, Family & Domestic Issues, Bereavement Counseling & Deployment Preparation). FSM delivers Certified Biblical Counseling and Discipleship live when possible and/or virtually via a secure internet network to accommodate schedules and/or to access individuals living in remote areas, to inspire participation in a local church trusting the Sufficiency of Scripture.

A 501 (C) (3) NON-PROFIT.

www.FALLENSOLDIERSMARCH.COM

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About Our Certiﬁed Biblical Counseling The combat and deployment of our Military service members has taken a significant toll on many Veterans and Military Families. Dealing with the emotional trauma of PTSD is every bit as difficult, and often times more difficult, than dealing with the physical injuries sustained in battle. The Fallen Soldiers March is taking a hands-on, practical approach to helping our Veterans - providing the type of counsel that comes directly from God’s Word and is empowered by God’s Spirit. This is exactly what our Veterans and military families need to handle their PTSD and all “Consequences of War” in a way that glorifies God and provides them true, everlasting healing. The Fallen Soldiers March gifts Certified Biblical Counseling - valued at over $125 per hour - to those impacted by the Consequences of War, from the front-lines to the home-front. Caring, compassionate, effective application of God’s truth when you need it. Our Biblical Counseling Network holds firm to the belief that God’s Word is:

INERRANT, INFALLIBLE, INSPIRED, AUTHORITATIVE AND SUFFICIENT FOR ALL MATTERS

Fallen Soldiers March gifts Certified Biblical Counseling, Advocacy, and Service Dogs at NO COST to Veterans and their families. Learn more by scanning the QR code.

A 501 (C) (3) NON-PROFIT.

www.FALLENSOLDIERSMARCH.COM

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A Material Deﬁnition of Biblical Counseling Psychological Counseling—combines human observations with human wisdom to construct a system of counseling to help man deal with his problems and issues of life. This type of counseling is generally practiced by non-believers and Christians who accept psychological theories as an avenue to help people. Integration Counseling—combines human observation, human wisdom, and the Bible to construct a system of counseling to help man deal with his problems and issues of life. This is sometimes called “Christian Counseling”. This type of counseling is generally practiced by Christians who believe the Bible should be supplemented with psychological theories in order to help people. Biblical Counseling—uses the Bible to construct a system of counseling to help man deal with his non physical or immaterial problems of life. This type of counseling is generally practice by Christians who believe that the Bible has all we need to provide solutions to man’s non- physical, or immaterial problems as well as what the world calls “psychological” problems. They also believe that the Bible can help man function as God intended in life. Definition of Biblical Counseling: Biblical counseling can be defined as using the Word of God (the Bible) within the context it was written to provide solutions and the application of those solutions to non-organic, immaterial, spiritual, and what the world calls “psychological” or “mental disorder” problems. The Word of God is used in a precise and efficient manner to address these matters. The Word of God is used anticipating the salvation of sinners and the sanctification of Saints as a result. Biblical counseling can also be defined as using the Word of God to give comprehensive answers to non-physical problems on a small group level or one on one interpersonal level. In essence, biblical counseling is applied biblical systematic theology. It is the practical ministry that comes out of knowing and understanding the Bible and the theology of the Bible. Biblical Counseling is the practical, comprehensive ministry of soul care that comes out of knowing, understanding, and applying biblical systematic theology to life issues. Key Point: The Bible gives us all we need for mental soundness and for understanding and dealing with the basic needs of the inner, immaterial man. God’s word instructs us to find from Scripture alone our principles for living, our understanding of human attitudes, motives, behaviors, and our solutions for man’s, non-organic, immaterial, inner problems and what the world calls psychological problems.

A 501 (C) (3) NON-PROFIT.

www.FALLENSOLDIERSMARCH.COM

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A Material Deﬁnition of Biblical Counseling: Continued 1. We have been warned in Scripture not to pursue human wisdom for our insights for living. A.

We are warned in Scripture not to trust human wisdom for principles for living, understanding of human attitudes, motives, behaviors, and our solution for man’s inner problems (problems that are non-organic in nature). See Psalm 1:1-2 and Colossians 2:8.

We are warned in Scripture not to trust our own wisdom because we can be deceived by our own wisdom. See Proverbs 3:5-6; 14:12; 16:2, 25; 21:2, and Jeremiah 17:9.

We are instructed in Scripture that God’s wisdom is superior to man’s wisdom. Therefore, man’s wisdom should not be added to God’s wisdom as solutions to man’s inner problems (Problems that are non-organic in nature). See 1Corinthians 1:21, 25; 2:2-5, 3:20, and Isaiah 55:8-11.

We are instructed in Scripture that God’s wisdom is sufficient to counsel the inner Person (the immaterial aspect of man). See Psalm 119:24, 99, 100, Hebrews 4:12, and Psalm 19:7-11

Prepared by: Dr. Nicolas Ellen FSM Advisory Board Information gained from: • The Heart of Man and Mental Disorders by Rich Thomson • Biblical Framework Counseling Basic Training Course by Nicolas Ellen • Rich Thomson (The Heart of Man and Mental Disorders Book)

Dr. Nicolas Ellen Community of Faith Bible Church

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Join Our Biblical Counseling Eﬀorts Become a Fallen Soldiers March Certified Biblical Counselor. Fallen Soldiers March needs more Certified Biblical Counselors to join our network! We are counseling Veterans and Military Families to learn to cope with the Consequences of War in ways that glorify God (PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, Blast-Induced Brain Injury, Paralysis, Mobility Issues, Neurological Challenges, Chemical Exposure, Moral Injury, Divorce, Addiction, Family Issues, and Deployment Support). We are often able to offer live counseling, however we also offer remote video counseling via secure Internet based applications. We do not conduct any counseling via social media. If you are a Certified Biblical Counselor who understands the Consequences of War, we need your help providing soul-care for Veterans and Military Families. Our Biblical Counseling Network holds firm to the belief that God’s Word is:

INERRANT, INFALLIBLE, INSPIRED, AUTHORITATIVE AND SUFFICIENT FOR ALL MATTERS

Fallen Soldiers March gifts Certified Biblical Counseling, Advocacy, and Service Dogs at NO COST to Veterans and their families. Learn more by scanning the QR code.

A 501 (C) (3) NON-PROFIT.

www.FALLENSOLDIERSMARCH.COM

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Overcoming the Consequences of War Centuries ago, the church began abandoning its role and responsibility to counsel to the fields of secular psychology. The Fallen Soldiers March needs churches, the business community, and individuals to contribute on a wide scale - not only to expand awareness to help congregations, but also to help financially support the mission of FSM, demonstrating to the world what a wonderful blessing it is for members of the Body of Christ to recognize our commitment to not pursue financial support from companies whose products exacerbate the problems of those who are suffering. The Fallen Soldiers March gifts Certified Biblical Counseling, Veteran Advocacy, and Service Dogs to help Veterans & Military Families overcome the Consequences of War (PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, Blast-Induced Brain Injury, Paralysis, MST, Moral Injury, Divorce, Addiction, Family and Domestic Issues, and Deployment Preparation) From Pastor Rick Burns, U.S. Army Combat Veteran: “I am an American Soldier… I serve the people of the United States, and live Army Values… I will never accept defeat. I will never quit.” The preceding lines are a measure of the Soldiers Creed, testifying to the abundant honor and pride residing in the hearts and minds of those representing the United States Armed Forces. This is why I passionately support the Fallen Soldiers March. While other programs exist that treat the symptoms, FSM is looking for the cure through Christ centered Certified Biblical Counsel, dealing with the mind, body, and souls of these wounded soldiers - they need a miracle; a miracle that can become reality through the healing power of Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals. Once a soldier, always a soldier. I cannot and will not leave a fallen brother or sister. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:16

A 501 (C) (3) NON-PROFIT.

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SAVING LIVES • RESTORING FAMILIES • CHANGING LEGACIES

Branden Kunath Director, National Programs Mighty Oaks Warrior Programs Mighty Oaks Foundation Branden@mightyoaksprograms.org

May 21, 2021 To: Jim Retzke, President, Fallen Soldiers March Subj: Fallen Soldiers March and Mighty Oaks Foundation

Over the past twelve months, the ministries of Fallen Soldiers March (FSM) and the Mighty Oaks Foundation (MO) have developed a wonderful and complementing relationship. Although the two ministries were developed independently of each other, both serve the needs of America’s veterans, active-duty military, first responders, and family members in a different, yet necessary, way. FSM provides biblical counseling to veterans and their families. FSM consists of a network of more than 80 counselors, a number that continues to grow on a weekly basis. Every counselor is certified by either the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) or the International Association of Biblical Counselors (IABC). FSM maintains that certification requirement since both of those certifying organizations are committed to the sufficiency of Scripture and they both have a rigorous training process, lasting 18 to 24 months, that leads to certification. Mighty Oaks Foundation’s Mighty Oaks Warrior Programs offer Christian faith-intensive, peer-based courses called Legacy Programs. The Legacy Programs curriculum is developed from Scripture and presented in a nonclinical format. In formal and informal instructional settings, a restored sense of camaraderie and team-building activities challenge the participants to overcome their past experiences and move forward into a life of purpose from a creation perspective. Students target and begin to strengthen areas of their spiritual faith, mental health, and physical health through mentoring by peers, subject-matter experts, and Certified Biblical Counselors during the duration of the program. Students focus on understanding post-traumatic stress, trauma related to combat, and other special challenges. Topics cover such issues as coping skills, moral injury, anger management, marriage restoration, relationships with family members, work, selfless service, finances, time management and more.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________ MIGHTY OAKS FOUNDATION 38397 INNOVATION COURT (STE 101), MURRIETA, CA 92562 MIGHTYOAKSPROGRAMS.ORG

SAVING LIVES • RESTORING FAMILIES • CHANGING LEGACIES

MO firmly believes in the sufficiency of Scripture and the roles of the local church, prayer, and accountability in living a purposeful, content life. The continued discipleship process, also referred to as Aftercare, is vital to ensuring a graduate is successful and supported upon returning to his or her daily life. Professional and longterm care is critically important for those who need it. When a cohort graduates from a MO one-week intensive Legacy program, at the request of the Legacy Program graduate, MO session mentors contact FSM and assist the graduate in requesting an aftercare program follow-up in the form of biblical counseling. FSM’s MO Coordinator then works to pair each graduate with a biblical counselor. The FSM MO coordinator initially searches for a counselor who is near the graduate in order to facilitate face-to-face counseling. When that objective is not possible, the FSM coordinator identifies a counselor who will counsel remotely via Zoom or Skype. FSM will also facilitate for graduates needing assistance with Biblical, which is the software management tool. FSM uses Biblical software to keep track of the counseling that all 80+ FSM counselors are gifting. Male counselors are assigned to men, and female counselors are assigned to women. For marriage counseling, male counselors are assigned and, when possible, both a male and female counselor are assigned to a married couple. The FSM counselor then meets regularly, usually weekly, with the MO Legacy graduate for as long as it takes to help the graduate deal with his or her issues biblically. FSM is committed to ACBC and IABC standards that reinforce MO’s objective that each graduate becomes part of a local church body and attends regularly.

Respectfully,

Branden Kunath

___________________________________________________________________________________________________ MIGHTY OAKS FOUNDATION 38397 INNOVATION COURT (STE 101), MURRIETA, CA 92562 MIGHTYOAKSPROGRAMS.ORG

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Show Your Support Show your support today - become a giver. We all enjoy freedom. All give some and some give all because of freedom. Living in the warm shadows of military sacrifice, we build monuments, wave flags, and place wreaths on dead soldier’s graves. While some of us would stop there, others recognize those who sacrificed their lives for their brothers and sisters in combat, if given a second chance, would communicate gratitude and would be better memorialized by dedicating resources that heal the souls of those living with the physical, mental, and emotional trauma inflicted by war - not lifeless statues and symbols oblivious to the deceased. Yet others would turn this recognition into action… The Givers, the Doers, the “hit the donation button” lets help today Believers.

INERRANT, INFALLIBLE, INSPIRED, AUTHORITATIVE AND SUFFICIENT FOR ALL MATTERS

Fallen Soldiers March gifts Certified Biblical Counseling, Advocacy, and Service Dogs at NO COST to Veterans and their families. Learn more by scanning the QR code.

A 501 (C) (3) NON-PROFIT.

www.FALLENSOLDIERSMARCH.COM

biblicare.net “Fallen Soldiers March (FSM) is blessed by the friendship, ĞǆƉĞƌƟƐĞ ĂŶĚ ƌĞƐƉŽŶƐŝǀĞŶĞƐƐ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞĚ ďǇ ƚŚĞ ŽǁŶĞƌƐ ŽĨ BibliCare, the Olender family. Dr. Bob Olender’s USMC ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ ĐŽŵƉůĞŵĞŶƚƐ ŚŝƐ ƚŚĞŽůŽŐŝĐĂů ĂĐŚŝĞǀĞŵĞŶƚƐ ĂŶĚ ĂĐĐĞŶƚƵĂƚĞƐ ŚŝƐ ƵŶĚĞƌƐƚĂŶĚŝŶŐ ŽĨ ŚŽǁ ŝŶĚŝƐƉĞŶƐĂďůĞ ďŝďůŝĐĂů ƐŽƵů ĐĂƌĞ ŝƐ ƚŽ ĚŝƐĐŝƉůĞ ĂŶĚ ŚĞĂů ƚŚŽƐĞ ǁŚŽ ƐĞƌǀĞ ŽƵƌ ŶĂƟŽŶ͘ dŚĞ KůĞŶĚĞƌ ĨĂŵŝůǇ͛Ɛ ŐĞŶĞƌŽƐŝƚǇ ŵĂĚĞ ŝƚ ƉŽƐƐŝďůĞ ĨŽƌ &^D ƚŽ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ ŝďůŝ ĂƌĞ ƚŽ Ăůů ĞƌƟĮĞĚ ŝďůŝĐĂů ŽƵŶƐĞůŽƌƐ ǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌŝŶŐ ƟŵĞ ƚŽ ĐŽƵŶƐĞů ǀĞƚĞƌĂŶƐ͕ ĂĐƟǀĞͲĚƵƚǇ ŵŝůŝƚĂƌǇ͕ ĮƌƐƚ ƌĞƐƉŽŶĚĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ĨĂŵŝůǇ ŵĞŵďĞƌƐ ƌĞƋƵĞƐƟŶŐ ĂƐƐŝƐƚĂŶĐĞ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ƚŚĞ &ĂůůĞŶ ^ŽůĚŝĞƌƐ DĂƌĐŚ ĞƌƟĮĞĚ ŝďůŝĐĂů ŽƵŶƐĞůŝŶŐ EĞƚǁŽƌŬ͘͟ Jim Retzke, Fallen Soldiers March President

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Elma’s MST Adversity Marathon I am titling my testimony "Walking Through" because for me, healing was not immediate. It took me years, and I had to "walk through" the process of remembering, forgiving, letting go, and most of all believing I was worthy of the healing I asked God to bring me. Have you ever read a Bible verse repeatedly and each time you read it, it revealed something new? Well, that is how my relationship is with God. He gives me only what I can handle in that moment. Healing is a process—not a sprint, but a marathon. God will not give us more than we can handle, and He will never leave us nor forsake us. It took me an extremely long time to grasp and believe those promises and understand I am worthy of them! I served in the United States Marine Corps for 13 years. The first four were on active duty and the remaining nine were in the Reserves. I come from a family of service members: my dad served 30 years in the Marines; my older brother served in the Marines for 15 years; as I mentioned, I served 13 years; my younger sister served 26 years in the Navy; and my younger brother served four years in the Air Force. None of us ever thought about college until we were out of the military. Now we all have degrees. Both my sons joined the Marines right out of high school. My service began November 16, 1978. I was 18 and ready to do my part to protect and serve our great nation. However, things did not go as well as I thought they would. During my first year of active duty, I was raped twice. The first time I reported the rape, but nothing was done. I was told nothing could be done because it was a "he said, she said" situation. The man who raped me was my SNCOIC (boss). I had to continue working with him day in and day out. He often told me that women Marines were in the service for the male Marines’ pleasure. It was torture being in the same office with him every day. I started drinking heavily and doing drugs. All I wanted to do was numb the pain and embarrassment I was feeling. Even sitting here typing my story is difficult, but a healthy step for me. I remember telling God, "If I could help just one person with my story, then everything I have been through would be worth it!"

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Elma’s MST Adversity Marathon: Continued My desire is to give God all the glory for bringing me through all that happened. The second time I was raped it was in my own home, late at night. I do not know who he was, but he knew me. Then I endured late night calls asking me if I had enjoyed it! He told me he would be back and the next time it would be even better—better for him and worse for me. I did not report this rape, because I was already being labeled as a whore, easy, a good . . . It was easier for me to bury everything and move on with my life the best I could. For more than 40 years I buried those memories. But on February 1, 2000, I started having nightmares, disrupted sleep, and insomnia and became fearful of everyone (including my husband). I refused to leave the house and I cried all the time.

I did not know what was happening at the time, but as I look back on those days, I believe God was telling me it was time to deal with my past. God’s timing! It is always perfect, even if we cannot see it at the time. I ended up in Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital for a month. It was hard, but it was also necessary because I could not function. I was diagnosed with severe PTSD, insomnia, hypervigilance, major depression, agoraphobia, and anxiety. I need to add that I did not have a relationship with the Lord at the time of the rapes. I did, however, have a relationship with the Him when my memories reared their ugly head! Even though I knew the Lord, I did not know how much He loved me. I struggled with thoughts of suicide. I harmed my body by cutting, hitting, and biting myself. I knew it was wrong, but it was the only way I knew how to feel my pain. Shortly after my memories returned, I lost my relationship with my husband, children, church, and close friends. They did not know how to help, so it was easier for them just to walk away. Some tried to help by telling me Christians should not be depressed and that I needed to improve my relationship with God, pray more, pray harder, and get some exercise because it would help me feel better. But they did not understand the loss I was feeling. I had no one to lean on except for my therapists, and I am grateful I had them. I really wanted to kill myself—not because I wanted to hurt my family but because I needed to be held, comforted, and understood. I needed someone who would understand and love me despite what had happened to me. I knew deep in my soul that when I got to heaven Jesus would hold me and He would not let go until I was ready.

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Elma’s MST Adversity Marathon: Continued I never attempted suicide, but I came close. I had a plan, but I could not do it. I really do know that those who gave me advice were trying to help, but their words only made me hate myself more. They made me believe that I was not good enough for God, or I was not a strong enough Christian. I went through years of pain and heartache, but I am here to let you know that it was worth every bit of it. I am much stronger for all I went through. I can honestly say I would not go back and change a thing. God really does use what was intended to harm us, intentional or unintentional, into something amazing. I tried several different avenues for my healing. I saw psychiatrists and therapists. I did Bible studies, homeopathic treatments, meditation, journaling, poetry writing, and praying, and I attended support groups. I do not regret any of those paths because they got me through that season in my life. However, the biggest change came when I found the Fallen Soldiers March organization. I was asking everyone I knew where I might get some information on how to obtain a service dog when my VA rep told me about Fallen Soldiers March. That was a blessing from God. The day I contacted them, I was told a service dog had just been returned to them! God’s timing! After I filled out a request form and told my story, I was gifted with a service dog. The best part was that her name was GLORY! I received Glory that following Veterans Day. Jim Retzke, president of Fallen Soldiers March, told me about their biblical counseling. At first I was kind of "on the fence," but then I thought, What could it hurt, right? I loved the Lord, so I started biblical counseling, but it did not last. Not because it is a bad program but because I was not ready to do the work. Healing requires INTENT! Intent requires action and action requires work! Yes, I said work—you must be willing to put in a lot of hard work to be successful in your healing. It took a lot of work to get through the ugliness of my past. And it will take a lot of work for you to get through the ugliness of your past! Just going through the motions does not work! But I promise you, if you do the work, saturate on God’s Word, and believe you are everything God says about you, you will be glad you put your heart and soul into your healing. No one can do the work but you! Back in September of 2019 Jim contacted me again about Pastor Warren Lamb. He told me if I wanted to start back with biblical counseling, Pastor Lamb would love to work with me. Contacting Pastor Lamb was the best decision I had made in the previous two decades. The first time I talked with the pastor, he was amazing. He explained to me how he counsels and that we

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Elma’s MST Adversity Marathon: Continued would be starting with the book Unbound. Between the Lord, Pastor Lamb, and Unbound, I am here to declare that I have had more growth in every area of my life during biblical counseling than any other season of my life. You see, everything else I tried worked for only that season of my life, but this program changed me through and through. The biggest thing I learned about myself was that I was believing the lies people had been telling me all my life and that Satan wanted me to believe the lies— lies such as I am not worthy, I am loser, I am good only for sex, I will never amount to anything, I am stupid, I am worthless, I am not wanted, I was a mistake, I . . . You get the point! Even though I gave my life to Christ April 11, 1982, at the age of 21, no one has ever discipled me like Pastor Lamb has. Once I accepted and believed what God says about me (about all of us), I started seeing myself the way God does. Then the Holy Spirit started moving through me as never before. I stopped living through my Avatar (Chapter 4 of Unbound), and now people are beginning to see the real me. I know, it is a scary thought! I still have my moments of fear and rejection, but I no longer stay there for days at a time. Regardless of what I might be feeling, I just claim God’s Word and His promises. I learned in Unbound that feelings are real, but they are not the truth! What a revelation!! My feelings change on a whim, but the truth does not! If you are considering biblical counseling and you are ready to put your all into it, you will not regret it! Blessings to all and in the name of Jesus, Elma Bunch

Epilogue

Elma's Journey and Transformation through the Eyes of Her Fellow Marine Veteran and Certified Biblical Counselor, Pastor Warren Lamb In the fall of 2019, Jim Retzke of Fallen Soldiers March reached out to me and asked if I had room in my calendar to provide specialized counseling care for a woman Marine veteran. When he described the turmoil she was in at the time, my saying yes was the most natural response I could make. After all, a fellow believer and a sister Marine was in trouble! Elma and I began meeting via Zoom within a short time, and it was apparent that the darkness of the trauma and abuse she had experienced were being kept at bay, but barely. We discussed key truths that our counseling team talk about with every trauma survivor we meet with.

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Elma’s MST Adversity Marathon: Continued We discussed how our history is not our destiny. Our history does not define us; it merely explains us. The way God defines us is who we really are, and God defines us as His priceless image bearers. One of the challenges faced by trauma survivors is that the toxic shame they carry ("this is who I am") has been saturated into their minds and hearts and souls more than the truths of Scripture. So, this is where we begin: saturating on the Word of God and the truths it contains. We help counselees take God’s truth and roll it over and over in their minds in place of the lies and self-loathing messages they have been saturating with. Romans tells us that what we saturate our minds with is what we live and believe (Romans 8:6). And the way we experience the caterpillar-into-butterfly transformation brought only by the Holy Spirit is through the renewing (replacing with new thoughts) of our minds (Romans 12:2). As Elma began daily saturating her mind and heart with God’s truth, she began to be able to understand it, to connect with it, and to believe it. She already had an intellectual understanding of the basic truths, but they were stuck in her thinking. As she diligently read and saturated on the truth every day (what else would a Marine do with a mission?), and as we counseled together regularly, she began to recognize that her thinking and her believing were holding more steadily to God’s truth and the lies were quieting down and being replaced. Yes, she went through emotional and spiritual pits of darkness and gloom during the months of counseling. But those pits got shallower and further apart until she was living more and more in the reality that she is God’s adopted daughter, that no one can take that away from her, and that, no matter what anyone else thinks, says, or does, being "in Christ" is always going to be her identity. The joy of the Lord has become her baseline for life. She and the Lord did the work; I had the honor of being His instrument for helping this sister along the journey. Jesus Christ and the Word of God are mightier than any darkness we have witnessed, any evil we have been involved in, and anything contrary to God’s Word that we have believed. It is always a delight to see one of God’s adopted children lay hold of and learn to live out the freedom that Christ died to give them. Becoming part of the Fallen Soldiers March biblical counseling team is a yes I will always be glad for. SDG Warren Lamb

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FSM Grant Response to Secular Organizations Seeking Evidence-Based Empirical and Qualitative (Quality of Life) Data Difference Between Biblical Counseling and Secular/Integrated Counseling All those who provide counseling services do so with a desire to help suffering persons with their problems in life. Secular and integrated counselors have different sources for authority and practice, different goals than does the biblical counselor, and different measures for what is considered to be successful completion of counseling. Sources for Authority and Practice Secular and integrative counselors (to some degree) believe in and rely on a humanistic, bio-deterministic view of humankind; therefore, the emotional or mental problems a person experiences are thought to be in part caused by biological or genetic abnormalities. They follow the disease model for treating what are classified as mental illnesses and disorders. While there may be no basis in medical fact, problems such as alcoholism or trauma are considered diseases or disorders. The genesis and treatment are approached with a pseudo-medical, therapeutic methodology. Their value system for right and wrong is based on the world’s values, society, client, and psychologist. Their source of authority and practice is the Diagnostical and Statistical Manual of Mental Illness, Fifth Edition (DSM-V), and various clinical research studies on aspects of mental health (written by their own mental health experts) that are intended to explain and provide the causation for psychological problems and their treatment. While the secular counselor holds a purely materialistic view of humankind, the integrative counselor believes in a tri-part view of humankind, meaning they make allowances for a person’s spiritual aspect. The integrative counselor is willing to use the Scriptures in their counseling practice combined with secular psychological methodologies. The biblical counselor does not reject valid scientific facts or ignore legitimate scientific discoveries. Responsible biblical counselors refer their counselees for medical exams to rule out organic problems, disease, or physical complications that may be contributing to the emotional difficulties the counselee suffers. The biblical counselor believes humankind is a two-part being. Meaning we are physical (material) and spiritual (immaterial). While the physical body can be afflicted by disease (e.g., cancer, diabetes) or something like a traumatic brain injury, when there is no valid scientific proof to support a mental health diagnosis, we have no other option than to consider what is experienced as psychological problems or mental illness does not originate in a person’s biology or genes but in his or her immaterial or spiritual soul. Biblical counseling is committed to the position that Scripture provides the only authoritative guide for what we are to believe and how we are to live (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It is suitable to help trauma victims and

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FSM Grant Response: Continued those suffering post-trauma distress due to the effects of war overcome their psychological issues. Biblical counseling deals with the entire range of problems confronting humanity, including broken marriages, parent child relationships, fear, depression, alcohol and drug abuse, tension, anxiety, worry, and any other problems that may result in mental and physical immobility. In short, the Biblical Counselor is equipped to deal with any problem dealing with ourselves, our relationship to God, or our fellow man (2 Peter 1:3).1 Biblical Counselors believe the Scriptures alone are sufficient to help trauma victims overcome those issues as opposed to what is found in the realm of secular and integrated psychology. The Goals of Counseling The goals of secular/integrative counseling can include exploring thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and seeking to improve an individual’s well-being,2 “To practice on self-love and self-compassion. Take care of and be kind to your body. Make time for mindfulness. Find new ways to manage stress, anxiety or depression,” “Help clients rebuild their self-esteem, re-establish personal relationships and restore professional careers.”3 They can also include helping a person adjust to difficult life circumstances (e.g., PTSD, trauma) to enter the recovery phase of various emotional disorders (e.g., co-dependency, overeating), addictions (e.g., alcohol and drugs), institute boundaries, and find acceptance. This is attempted through various therapeutic processes such as Cognitive and other behavioral therapies, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), client education, and the restructuring of thoughts, often along with psychoactive medications. The overall goals of the biblical counselor are to help the counselee identify if their behaviors and patterns of living are honoring or dishonoring to God; to understand if he or she is involved in sinful living. The motivation for change should not be “self” but glorifying God and living with consideration for others (Phil 2: 3-5). There is a distinct difference in a person when their harmful or sinful behaviors cease because the Holy Spirit has convicted the person that they are sinning against God versus when behaviors stop because of fear of punishment, exposure, fear of legal or relational consequences. In counseling the war Veteran, the goals include helping the person see war and its traumatic effects through a biblical lens. The Bible contains trauma from cover to cover. Beginning with the fall of humanity into sin in Genesis 3 through the end of days, trauma, war, murder, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, other effects of cruelty and inhumanity, schizophrenia, and other “mental disorders” are recorded within. The Bible also contains the process to recover and move forward from these “common to man” problems (1 Cor. 10:13). 1. Ganschow, Julie and Roeder, Bruce. What is biblical counseling? https://www.rgcconline.org/individual-counseling.html accessed10/26/2018 2. https://www.mhanational.org/mental-health-treatments 3. https://counseling.online.wfu.edu/blog/what-is-clinical-mental-health-counseling-and-why-is-it-important/

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FSM Grant Response: Continued In a biblical counseling relationship, the counselor teaches the counselee how to put off ungodly patterns of living and be renewed in the immaterial mind by the Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). From that mind renewal, he or she learns how to put on new and godly patterns of thinking, believing, and living. This is being conformed to the image and likeness of Christ, which is the Christian’s highest goal. The process of biblical change is also the essence of repentance (Eph. 4:22-24; 2 Cor. 10:7-11) and brings healing, freedom, and recovery from the internal turmoil that often provokes a person to seek counseling (John 8:31,32). In the case of those affected by trauma, over time, they learn to process their experiences and to view painful situations as ordained by a loving God, faced and dealt with through God’s grace and resources. These become opportunities to be refined and purified. Measuring Outcomes In the secular realm, tracking client outcomes in therapy is a relatively new practice. It was implemented to ensure that the treatment provided is, in part, worth the money insurance companies and Medicare payout for those services.4 In the psychological or medical model, the client’s outcome is tracked during treatment through various assessments and evaluations of the clinical process and the effect therapy is having on the client or the effectiveness of the therapeutic approach at the conclusion of the treatment regimen. One website states the desired outcomes include, “Facilitating behavioral change, helping improve the client’s ability to both establish and maintain relationships. Helping enhance the client’s effectiveness and their ability to cope. Helping promote the decision-making process while facilitating client potential.”5 When the client experiences positive change through the therapeutic approach, counseling is considered to be a success. The service providers themselves recognize the difficulties with collecting this data. They include the fact that there is no standardized or uniform template for data collection; it is up to each service provider to create the metric. Other difficulties include the time-consuming nature of the surveys and the reluctance of the clients to provide answers to the questions out of fear and discomfort. In addition, culture barriers, data privacy issues, medication changes, complications, and, most importantly, that the outcome measurements may not truly capture a patient’s progress.6 Follow-up surveys, if they are completed by the client at all, usually cease after 90 days. The client’s response today or at the end of the treatment regimen may not continue in the future, and unless the client returns for more therapy, there is no way for the therapist to know the long-term success of treatment. In the biblical counseling model, there are no such evaluations. The effectiveness or outcome of biblical 4. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/11/interventions 5. https://positivepsychology.com/goal-setting-counseling-therapy/ 6. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/11/interventions

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FSM Grant Response: Continued counseling is measured by changes seen in the counselee’s life over time, not surveys or assessment tools. The local church is engaged in the process. Even in para-church biblical counseling organizations such as the Fallen Soldiers March, the initial care provider ideally connects with the counselee’s local church to provide wraparound and ongoing care (discipleship) for the counselee when the formal biblical counseling is finished. Biblical counseling is not geared toward mere behavioral changes. “Success” is when the counselee experiences changes in the inner, immaterial aspect of who they are; how the counselee lives is the evidence of changes taking place within them. Their family, friends, church members, and others see the person has changed based on how they live their lives. The person has been taught how to effectively self-counsel and, should old thought patterns and desires threaten to re-emerge, the counselee has gained the tools to address them. The goal is always to return the counselee to the care of their local church for ongoing discipleship, additional care, and accountability. Not only that, but the person has a community of like-minded believers who can come alongside and spur them onto loving others and to good deeds (Heb. 10:24). Evidence of Effectiveness of the Treatment Modalities The evidence of the secular methods for counseling Veterans is dismal, and integrated counseling approaches are not much better. Integrated models are also therapeutic, and the resulting issues of war are viewed as disorders and mental illnesses with psychological diagnosis codes. Treatment is psychological and often psychopharmacological with a spiritual thrust. The 2020 report commissioned by the United States Government found, “The average of 17.6 Veteran suicide deaths per day in 2018 was higher than the 17.5 average suicide deaths per day in 2017. The annual number of Veteran suicide deaths increased by 36 from 2017 to 2018, and by 379 from 2005 to 2018.”7 The Veterans Administration embraces the secular- therapeutic methods for helping Veterans recover from the trauma of war. Clearly, this approach is not working for many returning service members. The “evidence” of the effectiveness of biblical counseling is visible as the counselee engages in their faith community with their family and demonstrates the changes that have occurred within. There exists no objective, scientific studies to provide data on the level or length of change that occurs because of biblical counseling. However, because the methodology of biblical counseling is discipleship-based and not professional, there is a much greater opportunity for community support and involvement in the Veteran’s life. New or ongoing problems are uncovered and addressed quickly, and this provides the counselee with 7. https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2020/2020-National-Veteran-Suicide-Prevention-Annual-Report-11-2020-508.pdf

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FSM Grant Response: Continued continued care, often from those involved in his or her life on a continuum. One study found that those who are actively engaged in a community of faith, especially the Christian faith, are more likely to recover from trauma than those who do not have those relationships.8 Concluding Summary In conclusion, the government’s statistics reveal secular methods for counseling and treating war Veterans are not working. The integrated methods, which are also clinical, typically have a beginning and ending date, leaving the Veteran without ongoing care. While there are no available studies that verify the efficacy of biblical counseling for the emotional consequences of war, anecdotal evidence exists that biblical counseling is helpful to returning war Veterans who are struggling with post-trauma distress. Biblical counseling also ministers to the family as they experience the challenges of living with a Veteran. This whole-life approach provides intensive biblical counseling to the Veteran along with ongoing discipleship, additional care, and accountability within a community of like-minded believers.

8. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/49810470_Effectiveness_of_a_trauma_focused_spiritually_integrated_interven tion_for_veterans_exposed_to_trauma

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