Mission will focus on community members suffering from PTSD

On March 12, Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church will host a healing ministry mission for those in the community who face post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Rev. Nigel Mumford, of the Virginia-based By His Wounds Ministry, lays hands on people for the purpose of inner healing. Much of the reverend’s focus is helping those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Mumford will be at Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church in Lecanto on March 12.

The Rev. Nigel Mumford, of the Virginia-based By His Wounds Ministry, lays hands on people for the purpose of inner healing. Much of the reverend’s focus is helping those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Mumford will be at Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church in Lecanto on March 12.

The Rev. Mumford is a former Royal Marine commando who partnered with two other retired military men to create The Welcome Home Initiative aimed at healing veterans in the U.S in 2007.

“The event is open for veterans and anyone who went through traumatic events — regardless of tragedy,” said the Rev. George Conger of Shepherd of the Hills, which is in Lecanto. “This is not just for veterans, but for all to begin the emotional and healing walk that Nigel’s work can bring.”

“The mind is witness to a catastrophic event,” Mumford said of PTSD. “The intellect cannot cope with what it has seen. The body reacts physically under duress; the heart receives emotional scar tissue, the soul weeps. This mental trauma is a total-body reaction to horror.”

The mission is a beginning for those in the community who are tormented by memories to receive Christian spiritual healing.

“We lay hands on those people who want to be healed and pray with them,” said the Rev. Joan Clark of Shepherd of the Hills and chaplain of the Ecumenical International Order of St. Luke the Physician. “This could be the start of recovery from those memories. We know it won’t happen overnight, but this could be the start. This conference gives hope that they can live and not be haunted in the future.”

The event will have two sessions on PTSD and healing of memories followed by healing services from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church, located at 2540 W. Norvell Bryant Highway (County Road 486), Lecanto. The conference fee is $20, which includes lunch. All participants are required to RSVP by contacting David Jackson at 352-344-1167 ordjackso@me.com.

For more information on the Rev. Nigel Mumford visit http://byhiswoundsministry.org.

Reprinted from the Citrus County Chronicle.