Date

8-29-2025

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Terence O. Hayes

Keywords

African American veterans, moral injury, spiritual reintegration, veteran reengagement module (VRM), spiritual storytelling and faith, urban neo-tribalism, pastoral care and inclusion, culture.

Disciplines

Christianity | Urban Studies and Planning

Abstract

African American veterans at Olivet Baptist Church attended worship services but did not participate in broader church activities. Many remained disconnected except during annual recognition events. This project was developed to address that gap. The Veteran Re-engagement Module (VRM) was delivered through six small group sessions. It focused on helping veterans talk through their past experiences, explore how those experiences affected their faith, and reconnect with the church. The approach centered around Scripture, group conversation, and spiritual storytelling. To evaluate its impact, data came through before-and-after surveys, individual interviews, and session notes. Twelve veterans participated. Some said this was the first time they had shared certain parts of their story in a church context. A few were still unsure whether it would lead to long-term change. Most, however, said they felt more connected after the project. This kind of ministry offers something simple but important. Churches that want to do more for African American veterans than offering public recognition can implement small, veteran-specific groups like the VRM to create honest spaces for spiritual reflection and connection. The format may look different elsewhere, but the idea is the same: listen, give time, and allow faith to speak to memory.

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