Procedían de 40 estados de EE. UU. y tres provincias canadienses. Y muchas de las aproximadamente 280 personas que participaron en el evento de este año Restaurar conferencia Friday and Saturday said the event provided uncommon safety, healing, and kinship with other abuse survivors and advocates.

Dozens of event attendees shared their experiences on Twitter using the hashtag #Restore2022, with some tweets shared and liked later by hundreds online. From nationally known speakers to attendees writing publicly for the first time, their range of comments provide a window into what happened at Restore 2022—along with significant themes and takeaways.

Defining A Spiritual ‘Safe Space’

Lori Anne Thompson, whose story as an abuse survivor was a highlight of the two-day gathering, spoke of what a unique environment she found at Restore Conference.

She tweeted: “@reachjulieroys told me that #Restore2022 wasn’t like other venues. I was unconvinced,” she wrote. “Yet, there were sections of time when there were no wolves, only wounded sheep and gentle shepherds. The protection? Palpable. The brave? Beautiful. The courage? Contagious.”

https://twitter.com/LoriAnneThomps2/status/1528440461500862465

Author and Restore speaker lina abujamra, whose own session brought many to tears, wrote: “I almost backed out of #restore2022 (because) I didn’t want to face the messiness that old wounds and painful emotions bring. I’m so glad I didn’t. Every time I put myself in a place of vulnerability I find even more healing.”

I almost backed out of #restore2022 bc I didn’t want to face the messiness that old wounds and painful emotions bring. I’m so glad I didn’t. Every time I put myself in a place of vulnerability I find even more healing. https://t.co/bok6Y8wjZO

— Lina Abujamra (@LinaAbujamra) May 24, 2022

Attendee Chloe Murnighan stated: “The most incredible souls are here. People who have hung onto Jesus and not let go. People who have let God have His way with them. I am incredibly fatigued but my heart is beaming and singing. ‘Restore’ is the perfect name for this conference.”

The most incredible souls are here. People who have hung onto Jesus and not let go. People who have let God have His way with them. I am incredibly fatigued but my heart is beaming and singing. “Restore” is the perfect name for this conference 💘😭🙏🏻@LinaAbujamra #Restore2022 pic.twitter.com/IBCsZqrTTt

— Mrs. Murnighan (@havengrace614) May 21, 2022

On Sunday, psychologist and Restore speaker felipe monroe wrote: “Privileged to be at #Restore2022 and to listen to survivor stories. Thank you for showing up. Moved by your resilience and focus on helping others even as you continue to heal. As I walked in the woods today this reminded me that you have found ways to bloom in unlikely places.”

Privileged to be at #Restore2022 and to listen to survivor stories. Thank you for showing up. Moved by your resilience and focus on helping others even as you continue to heal. As I walked in the woods today this reminded me that you have found ways to bloom in unlikely places pic.twitter.com/iscNog9TLH

— Philip Monroe (@PhilipGMonroe) May 22, 2022

Attendee Sarah Klinger said: “One of the absolute joys of my life is walking beside strong, beautiful survivors (mainly women to be honest) as they tell their stories/speak truth to power. I’m so grateful to have been w/the ‘fellowship of the finally believed’ (to quote) @LoriAnneThomps2…”

One of the absolute joys of my life is walking beside strong, beautiful survivors (mainly women TBH) as they tell their stories/speak truth to power. I'm so grateful to have been w/the "fellowship of the finally believed"@LoriAnneThomps2 including my friend @VavaCas. #Restore2022 pic.twitter.com/RC2PRcrbdU

—Sarah Bucy Klingler (@sarahk330) May 22, 2022

Others like Chellee Taylor shared of the impact of the gathering in her life. “If even but for a passing moment, one day out of thousands, I will forever remember when fear was absent in the presence of hope in human form.”

Yes! If even but for a passing moment, one day out of thousands, I will forever remember when fear was absent in the presence of hope in human form.#Restore2022 https://t.co/ZPdDJDhpgR

— Chellee Taylor (@InHisgrip) May 22, 2022

Similarly, John Lambert tweeted: “I was profoundly affected by what I experienced at #Restore2022. Still processing, but I walk away humbled, grateful and with a greater determination to use my strength for those who need it most.”

I was profoundly affected by what I experienced at #Restore2022. Still processing, but I walk away humbled, grateful and with a greater determination to use my strength for those who need it most.

— John Lambert (@johnlambert) May 24, 2022

Vulnerable Confession—to Foster Restoration

On Saturday afternoon, a powerful scene of healing and repentance played out at Restore—as the former top PR representative for Ravi Zacharias, Ruth Malhotra, confessed her complicity in the late ministry founder’s misdeeds.

Attendees were moved to learn of her friendship with Thompson, who was among Zacharias’ many sex abuse victims. But those who were following the two women’s interactions online were expectant for their segment of the conference.

Thompson tweeted: “It is true that Ruth and I are the most unlikely of friends . . . Hope and humour, crying and cussing, coming your way at #Restore2022 today.”

https://twitter.com/LoriAnneThomps2/status/1527979059409477633

An attendee named April tweeted: “So thankful for the confession, repentance, and forgiveness modeled today by @KSPrior, @RuthMalhotra, and @LoriAnneThomps2. This is how it’s done.”

https://twitter.com/RainyDa92021866/status/1528184437472735232

Thompson’s Q&A session, highly quoted online, included these remarks: “Mercy looks nothing like we think it does. It’s not soft soap, candy floss, and popcorn.

There is a savageness in mercy. It doesn’t look like welcoming an abuser back into the flock. Mercy isn’t trust; it sets boundaries.”

.@LoriAnneThomps2: Mercy looks nothing like we think it does. It’s not soft soap, candy floss, and popcorn.

There is a savageness in mercy. It doesn’t look like welcoming an abuser back into the flock. Mercy isn’t trust; it sets boundaries.#Restore2022 pic.twitter.com/d41lAnu3nn

— Josh M Shepherd (@JoshMShep) May 21, 2022

She also addressed specific ways churches can protect their flock, such as poner fin al uso de NDA. Ginny Barker tweeted: “Non-disclosure agreements are supposed to be used for trade secrets and not for trauma secrets,” -Lori Anne Thompson.

Non-disclosure agreements are supposed to be used for trade secrets and not for trauma secrets. -Lori Anne Thompson #Restore2022

— Ginny Barker (@ginny_barker) May 21, 2022

Another Unforgettable Moment

Several attendees, including Becky Castle Miller, amplified how theologian Escocés McKnight opened his session. “He called for a standing ovation for the courageous women and men who have spoken the truth to churches and said, ‘We believe you.’” 

So glad to hear from my dear friend @scotmcknight. He called for a standing ovation for the courageous women and men who have spoken the truth to churches and said, “We believe you.” #restore2022 pic.twitter.com/cp1IIF7WeA

— Becky Castle Miller (@bcastlemiller) May 21, 2022

Many Restore speakers including Naghmeh Panahi shared quotes from sessions—including when McKnight said, “The church has one celebrity and his name is JESUS. Everyone else is a servant.” Panahi added: “Yes!”

¡Sí! https://t.co/qp8FS88iId

— Naghmeh Panahi (@NaghmehSPanahi) May 21, 2022

Wisdom Worth Hearing

Psychologist Diana Langberg, who said she has spent her 50+ years in counseling learning from abuse victims, opened and closed the conference.

Attendee Ginny Barker distilled one of the leading author’s central themes, tweeting: “I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for pastors, church leaders, and church cultures to become trauma informed. Trauma is not something that happens “out there” to “those” people. As @DianeLangberg says, ‘Trauma is the mission field of our time.’”

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for pastors, church leaders, and church cultures to become trauma informed. Trauma is not something that happens “out there” to “those” people. As @DianeLangberg says, “Trauma is the mission field of our time.” #Restore2022

— Ginny Barker (@ginny_barker) May 22, 2022

Early on, Langberg spoke on what ails the church: “We have often chosen leaders according to their gifting rather their character. The ability to articulate theological truths does not mean one is an obedient servant of Christ.”

“We have often chosen leaders according to their gifting rather their character.

The ability to articulate theological truths does not mean one is an obedient servant of Christ.”@DianeLangberg #restore2022

— Josh M Shepherd (@JoshMShep) May 20, 2022

Commenting on a quote from Langberg—where she said, “I don’t know why God allows abuse,”—attendee Amy Fritz observed: “It’s healing to hear Dr. Langberg not give trite answers.”

https://twitter.com/amyfritz/status/1528117883741646848

Addressing the experiences of abuse survivors she’d spoken to at Restore, author and conference emcee María DeMuth shared a two-part message on the first day.

She wrote: “Survivors, I know how difficult it’s been. I can feel your pain. And I know how awful it is to be so terribly, amazingly brave to tell your story, only to be shushed or silenced or ridiculed or re-shamed.”

Survivors, I know how difficult it's been. I can feel your pain. And I know how awful it is to be so terribly, amazingly brave to tell your story, only to be shushed or silenced or ridiculed or re-shamed.

— María DeMuth (@MaryDeMuth) May 20, 2022

DeMuth continued: “You are the brave ones, those who have endured such suffering and lived to tell about it. Keep telling your truthful story. Keep walking tall. Remember Jesus sides with the oppressed and He loves to dignify victims. You are resilient, friend, and I am so proud of you.”

You are the brave ones, those who have endured such suffering and lived to tell about it. Keep telling your truthful story. Keep walking tall. Remember Jesus sides with the oppressed and He loves to dignify victims.
You are resilient, friend, and I am so proud of you.

— María DeMuth (@MaryDeMuth) May 20, 2022

Due to a last-minute speaker schedule change, DeMuth unexpectedly shared a session on the first day. As attendee Jenai Auman summed up the schedule change: “The last-minute talk @MaryDeMuth gave at #restore2022 was the talk we needed.”

https://twitter.com/jenaiauman/status/1527777792137605121

Reflecting the care of leading voices on-stage, attendee Celeste Irwin wrote to another group—those following Restore Conference on social media. He said, “To any who wanted to be at #restore2022, but couldn’t be. It might be hard. Many of you previously were hurt by exclusion.

I want to say: You are missed. I wish you could be here. Sending hugs and hoping to meet you one day.”

To any who wanted to be at #restore2022, but couldn't be. It might be hard. Many of you previously were hurt by exclusion.

I want to say: You are missed. I wish you could be here. Sending hugs and hoping to meet you one day. 💛

Mute me if you need to while conf is happening.

— Celeste Irwin🏳️‍⚧️ (@CelesteFinally) May 21, 2022

Unlike the first Restore Conference in 2019, which featured a full band leading worship, this year’s event was very simple: Josh Caterer leading on guitar with another musician on keyboard. TRR reporter Sarah Einselen caught a moving moment when attendees sang, “It is Well.”

https://twitter.com/startswithanE/status/1528126124202631172

Author and professor karen tragar antes, whose session was in dialogue with Thompson, summed up the two-day gathering in a tweet.

She wrote: “Reflecting … today on what I came away with from #Restore2022: 1. We have so much to learn from abuse survivors 2. It’s not that hard to learn if we want to. 3. I have never been around more humble, forgiving, hopeful people.”

Reflecting even more today on what I came away with from #Restore2022: 1. We have so much to learn from abuse survivors 2. It’s not that hard to learn if we want to. 3. I have never been around more humble, forgiving, hopeful people. pic.twitter.com/UvZ32T7aux

— Karen Swallow Prior (Notorious KSP at The Priory) (@KSPrior) May 22, 2022

Watch El Informe Roys for additional coverage of Restaurar conferencia and details to come about how to listen and watch speaker sessions. 

This article has been updated to correctly identify an attendee.

Periodista independiente Josh Shepherd escribe sobre fe, cultura y políticas públicas para varios medios puntos de venta Él y su esposa viven en el área de Washington, DC con sus dos hijos.