About Shelly

CRISIS AND TRAUMA WERE PART
of my life from the beginning. Even my earliest memories were filled with trouble, abuse, and intense difficulties beyond my understanding.

I lived at the fire’s edge. It was as if evil surrounded me; cruelty and neglect flourished where there should have been love and attention. Abusive—physical, emotional, sexual, and psychological—situations were common occurrences. There were, I admit, a few times when I came close to ending this pain, but for the most part I accepted things as they were—I knew no better. Perhaps what kept me going, despite all this, was an overriding sense of otherworldly protection; of a presence that would catch me before I fell headlong into the fire. Now, as an adult, I recognize what that was.

It is often said that one’s greatest contributions rise from the greatest pain. Like the mythical Phoenix who rose from the ashes to become reborn, I managed to survive, and then thrive. The loving presence—God—rescued me time and time again.

Little did I know he had a plan and purpose for me. I speak from experience when I say God is in the business of building things out of broken people and broken situations. The Holy Spirit loved me in a way that surpasses all understanding. I was protected in a way that prepared me for the present, and I can now truthfully express gratefulness for my life—every victory made me stronger and prepared me for what was to come.

I came to understand that I could withstand just about anything. God was in control when I stayed steadfast in his Word and his presence.

I began to use what I experienced. Extensive training enabled me to become a biblical lay counselor prepared myself to help others, using his Word in a way not possible before.

But I knew he wasn’t done with me; there was more to come. A wise woman told me that it’s not what God is doing in you, but what he is doing through you that makes the difference. That realization made a difference in me, and I went on a journey to discover a deeper meaning of God’s love and his calling on my life.

I became a trained volunteer for TIP (Trauma Intervention Program). TIP volunteers are called out by first responders to offer immediate emotional and practical support to trauma survivors and their families, often onsite of the most gruesome crime scenes. I walk alongside people during the most difficult times in their lives. That was only the start.

I served with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department as a Lead Chaplain and board member with the department’s wellness team, and currently hold global chaplain credentials through CAREForce.us to provide services across the globe.

While serving as a chaplain, I felt a calling to help educate others on emotional pain. I began educating people to care for ourselves and others in a time of crisis. I’ve received extensive training and teaching accreditations with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation.

To continue caring for those in crisis, I became a collaborating partner with the Institute on Violence Abuse and Trauma (IVAT), and a member of the global Think Tank with the National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence Across the Lifespan (NPEIV).

While serving others in this manner is a great privilege, I knew this was not the end. I was called to combine this trauma intervention training with sound Christian doctrine to serve those experiencing physical, emotional, and often, spiritual turmoil. Serving as a roadmap, knowledge of sound Christian doctrine demonstrates how to act, nourishes holiness, and equips one to meet the needs of others.

Here is my calling and my role: to be there in times of crises from the beginning; to train crisis teams with appropriate policies and procedures, and to do so from a solid foundation of biblical truth and wisdom.

And thus my work, Seeking Hope, was born.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3)