About Us
There is a common casualty that victims of abuse experience. In addition to the diminishment and degradation of self-worth, something else occurs to both the pain and the person. Both become invisible. The trauma of abuse is often buried, and the unwarranted shame causes people to withdraw from within. They don’t want themselves or any of their pain to be seen.
Mending the Soul’s unique approach is designed to bring out what’s buried deep within—to make the invisible, visible.
We understand that when one is made whole from within, it brings about visible transformation to the person, to their family, to their relationships with others. It’s something you just can’t hide—everyone can see it.
With Mending the Soul, the Difference is Visible.
Our Mission
Isaiah 61:1-4
We exist to bring glory to God by restoring His original design in His children.
Mending the Soul provides biblically-rooted and psychologically-proven abuse healing curricula, and trains nonprofessionals to deliver them in community-based settings worldwide, at minimum cost to the participants.
We are committed to seeing wholeness restored throughout the world.
What Sets Mending the Soul Apart From Other Resources
Our Story
The Founders
Mending the Soul was conceived in 2003 when Steve and Celestia Tracy and a handful of men and women met with a passion to comfort those broken by abuse. Because there were few resources available to address the complexities of abuse and neglect, Steve and Celestia published Mending the Soul: Understanding and Healing Abuse to educate on the nature and effects of abuse, and the Mending the Soul Workbook to guide survivors through an interactive and integrated process of healing and forgiveness in community with each other.
Together, the Tracys co-founded and co-direct Mending the Soul, mentoring and supervising collaborative teams of writers, artists, musicians, educators, students, mental health providers, and business professionals who create the sustainable healing models and curricula for Mending the Soul Ministries for global application.
Steve and Celestia have three grown children, who, with their families, partner with them in ministries of justice and mercy.
Steven R Tracy, Ph.D.
Steve is the President and International Director for Mending the Soul, and professor of theology and ethics at Phoenix Seminary where he has taught since 1995. He has also served as a church pastor for fifteen years. Steve’s research and writing are focused on biblical ethics, sexuality, and abuse. He received a B.A. from Arizona State, an M.Div. and Th.M. from Western Seminary and a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from the University of Sheffield (England) with a research focus on Pauline ethics. In addition to his domestic work, Steve, along with his wife Celestia, spend 4-8 weeks a year in East Africa coordinating and supervising international trauma training teams. Steve is the author of seven books and numerous book chapters and journal articles.
Celestia Tracy, M.A.
Celestia is the Resource Development Director for Mending the Soul. Celestia received her M.A. in Counseling/Psychology from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and supported leaders and families as a professional trauma counselor for eighteen years. Drawing from twenty-five years of teaching and training experience in areas of abuse and healing, secondary trauma, intimacy and bonding, biblical sexuality, and soul care, Celestia ensures that all Mending the Soul curricula and trainings are psychologically-informed and using best practice models. Celestia is the author of twelve books and workbooks.
Our Team
Jumah Patrick Wangira M.A.
East Africa Director
Jumah lives in Kampala Uganda. He is Married to Alice, an accountant by profession, and they have three charming children, Naomi, Eliana and Shalom. Jumah has an M.A. in peace and reconciliation studies from Makerere University in Kampala. He is a pastor and a social scientist with years of experience ministering to the traumatized. He is particularly passionate about helping church leaders nurture, protect, and aid vulnerable children. He enjoys teaching conservation agriculture during his free time.
Kelsea Phillips
Director of Operations
Kelsea lives in Portland, OR with her husband, Austin, and their daughter, Poppy. Kelsea has a background in both marketplace and in church ministry. She has a strong desire to see others experience healing and wholeness in Christ, which led her to serve with Mending the Soul. In her spare time, Kelsea enjoys drinking good coffee, cuddling with her dog, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Erin Biermann
Operations & Accounting
Erin is originally from Burbank, CA, but now lives outside of Portland with her husband Ryan and their two young kiddos, Liv and Ethan. She comes with a background serving non-profits and churches in the areas of accounting, administration, and program direction, and tries to incorporate her creative bent for writing and design whenever possible. Her heart beats for authentic community, live music, soul care, brownie sundaes, and all the outdoor activities Oregon can offer.
Bekah Stines MSPC. LPC.
PL/PF Program Director MSPC, LPC
Bekah works as a mental health trauma counselor in Portland, Oregon where she lives with her husband, Michael, and their three children, Cameron, Mia, and Micah. Bekah has been involved with MTS since 2010 when she started as a group participant. She loves spending time in the outdoors of the great pacific northwest, hiking, gardening, and going to the beach with her family.
Tanya Harris MAPC. LPC.
Curriculum Consultant
Tanya is a Licensed Associate Counselor at Journeys Counseling Center in Arizona. She has been involved with Mending the Soul Ministries since 2003 when she attended the original MTS training. Tanya trains trainers, facilitates, and helps with curricula development and is a vital part of the MTS leadership team. Tanya’s first love is spending time with her husband and children.