To The Leader

 

VIDOR — One of the nation’s leading Christian counselors for grief, loss and trauma will headline the Southeast Texas Harvey Recovery Conference, set for Saturday and Sunday, April 21-22, at First Baptist Church of Vidor.

Dr. H. Norman Wright – who has been called on to work with victims following the 9/11 attacks and, more recently, following the mass shooting in Las Vegas – will lead the conference on both days. Wright, the author of more than 70 counseling books, will lead a seminar titled “Recovering from Loss, Crisis and Trauma” on Saturday, April 21, from 8:30 a.m. until noon.

The seminar, in part, will help attendees understand and begin to process through the feelings of grief, depression and loss that often result from tragedies. Wright will also talk about how to say good-bye to things lost and move ahead in life – something that many may be struggling with after Hurricane Harvey left thousands of Southeast Texas residents flooded by as much as 12 feet of water. The recovery process will take years, and write notes that the mental toll can take even longer when not dealt with properly.

The conference will continue on Sunday, April 22, with breakout sessions offered throughout the day led by Wright and a group of counselors representing Christian Counselors of Texas. Some of the topics include, “Where was God in all this?” and “How to Hurricane-Proof Your Relationship.” There will also be a session specifically for youth, another session for the parents of youth and a session called “Caring for the Caregiver,” which is geared toward helping the often-forgotten first responders in a crisis – including police officers, firefighters, school administrators and even clergy.

The conference is sponsored by the church and Main Street Ministries. Nehemiah’s Vision, a non-profit ministry that helped rebuild 1,200 homes over a nine-county area following hurricanes Rita and Ike, will be on hand to offer information about how homeowners can receive help.

Beginning on April 25, the church will host a free eight-week Harvey Grief Group support meeting for flood victims and others. The group will be led by area grief counselor Chuck Olliff.

There is no charge to attend the conference, which is open to the public. For more information, contact FBC Vidor at 409-769-2418.