About Us
Abuse comes in many forms. It is prevalent around the world and in virtually every community. Its destructive effects can be life-long and intergenerational. In 2003, MTS was organized as a faith-based nonprofit organization to educate and resource individuals, churches, and service organizations with sustainable trauma care resources contextualized for their specific communities.
We believe God made humans in his own image. This involves humans being made relational beings. Thus, we are best nurtured and healed in relationship. MTS provides resources which are best utilized with others, either one on one, in small groups, or in communities.
Our Mission
Isaiah 61:1-4
To bring community-based restoration to people worldwide who have experienced abuse.
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 Staff
Paul Richter
Executive Director
Bethany Richter
US Director of Programs
Alex Dinsmore
US Director of Operations
Phyllis Osborn
Facilitator Coach
Titus Folden
Regional Coordinator for Latin America & Europe
Titus and his wife Stephanie live in Spain and serve globally with WorldVenture. Titus equips churches, NGO’s and faith leaders to understand and prevent abuse and care well for survivors in their communities. Prior to living in Spain they served eleven years in Ecuador. Titus’ relationship with MTS began in 2012. Titus enjoys encouraging and connecting people and is inspired by witnessing God’s transformative and healing work around the world first hand. He grew up in the Pacific Northwest and obtained an M.A. in Christian Leadership from Multnomah University. He enjoys spending time with his wife and children, exploring the outdoors, playing sports, reading, and creating music and art.
Fred Mugeni
Audio/Video Engineer & Designer
Fred holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology obtained from Makerere University. Since 2009, he has been involved in the design of different communication materials for organizations both local and international. He enjoys sharing stories passionately through film and graphics.
Fred lives in Kampala, Uganda with his wife Claire and their son Shammah. As a born-again Christian, he enjoys counseling and encouraging those in need, and desires to see his community better.
Our Board
Mark Hoyt
Board Member
Jeff Kistner
Board Member
Michelle Lown
Board Vice Chair
Michelle Lown, Psy.D. is a liscenced psychologist in Oregon. Dr. Lown has been in private practice since 2005 working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. Her areas of specialization encompass treatment of anxiety and depression disorders, grief, codependency, adult children of dysfunctional families, low self-esteem, survivors of abuse, relationship issues, and family challenges. In her down time, Dr. Lown enjoys cycling, traveling, scuba diving, swinging kettle bells, camping, and spending time with her husband, three kids, two dogs, two goats and 10 chickens.
Rebecca Cook
Board Member
Becca brings a great passion to her work with youth and adult trauma survivors in the Portland area and around the world. Becca is an expert in counter human trafficking in the Portland area, where she has worked with local and federal law enforcement, local and federal prosecutors, DHS, and many other community-based organizations to provide direct services and advocacy to commercially sexually exploited children.
Becca has been supporting child and adult survivors of the commercial sex industry for the past twelve years. She currently provides consulting services for individuals, families, and organizations that are pursuing trauma recovery or that are seeking to provide trauma-informed services. She also serves as the Director of Peer Support at Responder Life. Responder Life serves city, county, state, and federal law enforcement, corrections, fire service, dispatch and EMS in the Pacific Northwest and around the world.
Becca trains both domestically and internationally for Mending the Soul. She holds degrees in Social and Behavioral Studies as well as Management and Organizational Leadership from George Fox University. She is currently earning her Master Degree in Clinical Mental Health at George Fox.