Boldly Forward, Never Alone with WINGS Fellowship

This past month, several staff teams from within our Fellowship Pacific family of churches participated in the Safe Sanctuaries Seminar: Nurturing a Culture of Safety and Dignity in the Church. This seminar, led by Lorrie Wasyliw, Executive Director of WINGS Fellowship (Women in Need Gaining Strength), provides in-person training to church leaders, drawing on Lorrie's extensive advocacy work for victims of abuse. It equips church and ministry leaders with tools to create environments that prioritize safety, dignity, and compassion for all.

Priscilla Minin, Pastor of Family Ministry at Richmond Baptist Church, recently attended and shared her biggest takeaway: training empowers us to recognize and prevent situations where abuse might occur. With her background as a medical doctor, she noted the similarities to medical training programs like Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), which teach healthcare providers to identify early warning signs and respond quickly to emergencies. Priscilla explained:

“Medical training programs equip professionals with essential skills and protocols to respond to crises and recognize early signs of life-threatening conditions. Similarly, the Safe Sanctuaries program emphasizes education, prevention, and the early identification of risks to protect vulnerable individuals within and beyond the church context. Both frameworks prioritize proactive approaches, enabling us to recognize issues early and act effectively. This structured approach minimizes harm and fosters a safer environment, whether in healthcare or church settings.”

Is your church interested in hosting this seminar next? By doing so, together we can equip more leaders with the knowledge to provide safe spaces and embody safety for all, especially those who have endured abusive trauma. Learn more about our partner agency WINGS Fellowship below, and inquire about booking Safe Sanctuaries for your church!