Launching “Anchored in Hope:” What Facilitators Need to Know about our New App-Based Healing Group Program
Over the last 18 months, facilitators from all over the world have been testing our new app-based program, Anchored in Hope, in their churches and communities. Rich feedback from their pilot groups has helped us revise the program to make it even more effective as a tool for healing in community. As we officially launch the new program, THI’s program development manager Brianna Leiendecker explains what facilitators need to know about what’s new.
Fellow facilitators, I am overjoyed to announce a powerful new tool for trauma healing ministry: our new app-based healing group program, Anchored in Hope, is now officially available worldwide through the THI Mobile app for both Android and Apple devices. To help you make the most of the program in your ministry, I’m here to explain what’s new. (I’ve also recorded a video about the changes, which you can watch here.)
The changes I’m describing here have already been made to the versions of Anchored in Hope that are most widely used worldwide: English, Hindi, Spanish, African French, and both Levantine and Sudanese Arabic. The other languages that are available in the app are Twi, Cebuano, Swahili, Hausa, Moore, Zarma, Pidgin English, Kolokwa English, Russian, and Bengali. We’ll roll out updates to these languages when we can.
Updated program content
Based on the time-tested curriculum in Healing the Wounds of Trauma, the content of the lessons in Anchored in Hope will feel familiar to you right away. The same core lessons that are covered in Healing the Wounds of Trauma are also covered in Anchored in Hope. But we’ve made some changes to the way the content is presented thanks to feedback from pilot facilitators.
A Bible story to start every lesson. In our pilot version of the program, we began each lesson with a story—some from the Bible, others from present-day life. Facilitators who tested the app told us that their groups found the Bible stories much more meaningful, since they invited participants to see their own experiences of trauma, grief, and loss through the lens of Scripture. In the new version of the app, every lesson starts with a Bible story.
Simpler mid-lesson discussion. To help spark conversation in groups, the pilot program included a dialogue among four characters in the middle of each lesson. Facilitators told us the dialogues were good, but too long—and some participants got lost in the conversation. In the new version, we replaced those dialogues with a single voice bringing out the main points of the lesson.
Many more discussion questions. The most consistent feedback we got from pilot facilitators was simple: group members wanted more ways to engage with each other. To meet that need, we’ve included many more discussion questions—from two to seven more in each lesson.
Streamlined training model
The most important difference between the Anchored in Hope program and the traditional Healing the Wounds of Trauma program is training. Rather than requiring facilitators to complete the book-based training model (consisting of an initial equipping session, a practicum, followed by an advanced equipping), the app has a streamlined facilitator training built right in. That way, anyone with a heart for healing can learn to lead healing groups.
To make this approach work better, the revised version of the program makes two important changes:
Participate before facilitating. Thanks to strong feedback from our pilot facilitators, we re-introduced a key feature of the book-based program to the app: before starting the in-app training, potential facilitators have to experience a healing group as a participant, before taking the training and leading their own groups. There is just no substitute for feeling the power of healing in community first-hand. (Participating in any adult healing group meets this requirement, Anchored in Hope or a traditional book-based one.)
Simpler certification. To clarify the difference between the intensive facilitator training you receive and the lightweight app-based training, completing the training in the app confers a new, simple certification: “Anchored in Hope Healing Group Leader.” You’ll earn that certification in addition to the facilitator certifications you’ve earned already.
New supplemental materials
Thanks to feedback from our pilot testers, we’ve added new materials to the Anchored in Hope Leader Guide:
Tips and tricks for leading groups, especially helpful for people new to trauma healing ministry.
A discussion guide, featuring all the discussion questions and Bible references from the app.
How to lead an orientation session. Many of you are using the Anchored in Hope program to introduce your churches and communities to trauma healing ministry, which we love. This simple handbook offers some simple guidance about how to set up an orientation session using the app.
You can find the Leader Guide right here. (You need to create a free account if you do not already have one)
New app features: Demo Mode and pilot youth program
Finally, I want to tell you about two new features we’ve added to the THI Mobile app:
Demo Mode. Our pilot facilitators told us they wanted to practice using the app and reading through the lessons before leading live groups—but there was no way to do so without reporting a non-existent group to THI for our records! We’ve fixed that now: Whenever you use the app for anything other than leading a real group, just turn on Demo Mode. This gives you the opportunity to browse the app and listen to the lessons, without reporting a real group to our database. (Just remember to turn off Demo Mode when you lead a real group)!
Rise Up, a new pilot program for youth. When you open up the app, you’ll see a new program right below Anchored in Hope called Rise Up. Created in partnership with Compassion International, Rise Up is a new app-based small group program to help young people 13 and older navigate life’s challenges with greater emotional well-being. I would love for you try it out! Work through the training videos, listen to the stories and lessons in the app, and lead a Rise Up groups of your own—then let us know your feedback. As we’ve seen with Anchored in Hope, feedback from experienced facilitators like you will make the app even better for everyone.
May God continue to bless you and your trauma healing ministries! If you have any questions, we’ll be happy to help—just reach out.
