Date

5-16-2024

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Kevin Gift

Keywords

Veteran, Homeless, Spiritual Warfare, Substance Abuse, PTSD, TBI, Moral Injuries, Suicide, Ministry, Discipleship

Disciplines

Religion

Abstract

Homelessness represents an incredibly damaging and challenging reality across the United States; of the 588,000 homeless in this country, 33,000 are military Veterans. Homelessness among Veterans is intensified by afflictions of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Suicide Ideations, Moral Injuries, and Substance Abuse. The purpose of this DMIN action project was to establish a discipleship program to develop disciples among homeless Veterans to reduce their homeless rates. The objectives of this project were to bring homeless Veterans to Jesus, decrease Veteran homelessness, establish ongoing relationships with homeless Veterans, assist homeless Veterans in overcoming specific factors impacting their continued homelessness, instill an atmosphere of inclusion and care among homeless Veterans, and provide biblically-based mentorship and guidance to homeless Veterans through discipleship. Homeless Veterans and support staff from outreach organizations that met specific criteria participated in the project. Surveys provided to homeless Veterans focused on the occurrence rate and impacts of PTSD, TBI, Moral Injuries, and Substance Abuse. Questionnaires given to homeless Veterans and support staff participants centered on the “why” of the question of homelessness. Roundtable discussions with homeless Veterans concentrated on Spiritual Warfare, Suicide Ideations, and the previous subjects of PTSD, TBI, Moral Injuries, and Substance Abuse. Substance Abuse was shown to be the most widespread of the ailments afflicting homeless Veterans. The encouraging results of this project indicate that a Jesus-centric ministry approach to engaging homeless Veterans through a dedicated discipleship program can produce positive, realistic outcomes for Veterans suffering from chronic homelessness.

Download

Included in

Religion Commons

Share

COinS