🎙️ Episode Summary:

In this episode of LYNC RADIO, host Jessica Eturralde explores three powerful stories of faith in action:

✅ Trauma healing in Ukraine – equipping Sunday school teachers to support children affected by war.

✅ A call for peace from Doha – Dr. Janna Scott on the role of faith in peacemaking at the Doha Interfaith Conference.

✅ Dealing with diversity differently – Dr. Dennis Hoover’s insights on Covenantal Pluralism at Gordon College’s Franz Lecture Series.

🔹 Segment 1: Trauma Healing in Ukraine

• LYNC’s Trauma Healing Program is making a difference for Ukrainian children and families affected by war.
• Project Manager Oksana Vlasnova traveled from Germany to launch LYNC’s first trauma-care training for Sunday school teachers.
• Led by licensed therapists, the program provides psychological support and will culminate in official "Children and War" certificates this September.
• Educators are learning new methods to help children process trauma—ensuring long-term healing beyond the classroom.

🔹 Segment 2: A Call for Peace from Doha

The Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue Conference explored the role of religions in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. The second annual Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue conference took place last month in Doha, Qatar.

On February 18-20 the event, titled "From Religious Freedom to Religious Responsibility: Peacemaking in a Destabilized World," was held under the patronage of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and in collaboration with the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network (MFNN).

• Dr. Janna Scott, CEO of the American Center for Religious Freedom, spoke on faith’s role in leadership and reconciliation.
• She laid out eight core principles for sustainable peace and emphasized cross-religious collaboration as key to stability.
• Dr. Scott urged government leaders, grassroots communities, and faith leaders to legislate, practice, and preach peace.

🔹 Segment 3: Dealing with Diversity Differently

• At Gordon College’s Franz Lecture Series, Dr. Dennis Hoover introduced the concept of Covenantal Pluralism.

The Franz Lecture Series run by the Center for Faith & Inquiry, at Gordon College, was established in 1992 and named after historian David Franz. The annual lecture features a keynote speaker and this year, LYNC Senior Fellow Dr. Dennis Hoover, who is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Global Engagement delivered this year’s special lesson on March 4th.

His talk, "Dealing with Diversity Differently: A Case for Covenantal Pluralism," tackled an increasingly pressing global challenge: navigating deep religious diversity.

Dr. Hoover introduced covenantal pluralism—which emphasizes religious freedom, cross-cultural religious literacy, and character virtues like...

Links:

• Article on Uzbek church registry: https://uzchurches.uz/news/v-dzhizake-otkrylas-tserkov-khristian-polnogo-evangeliya/

• LYNC Article: Exploring New Pathways: Cultivating a Shared Religious Landscape in Central Asia - https://lyncommunity.org/news-article/exploring-new-pathways-cultivating-a-shared-religious-landscape-in-central-asia/

• WATCH LYNC INTERVIEW: The Intersection of Advocacy and Relationship-Building in Religious Freedom Efforts - Nadine Maenza - https://youtu.be/ioujWtuSFtM?si=_uiAUwOOk7S8q09T

• IRFsecretariat.org
• IRFroundtable.org
• IRFsummit.org

Title: Healing in the Midst of Ukraine's War, Rebuilding Faith in Uzbekistan, and Advanced Religious Literacy Training in Kazakhstan

Host: Jessica Eturralde

Duration: 22 minutes

[00:00] Opening Segment

• Introduction to today’s topics: trauma therapy in Ukraine, rebuilding efforts in Uzbekistan, and groundbreaking training in Kazakhstan.
• Quick promo for the LYNC Interview video program.
• Related Link: LYNC INTERVIEW on YouTube > https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNjAjrFqPorH1gd1iYJkRdOXHOkgTYiOD

[02:18] Healing in the Midst of War: Trauma Therapy in Ukraine

• Overview of the Caring for Ukraine's Children through Trauma Healing, Hope, and Critical Care initiative.
• Key Metrics:
• 449 children and 81 adults reached across Ukraine and Germany.
• 39 group sessions conducted by 21 therapy teams in 16 cities.
• Stories of resilience:
• Matviy in Lviv overcame isolation to discover hope.
• Maksym in Zhmerinka found peace using “Safe Place” techniques.
• Sofia in Borodianka processed her trauma through art therapy.
• Recognition of Ukrainian partners, Krasy Maibutne, and their critical role.
• Read Full Report: https://lyncommunity.org/report/caring-for-ukraines-children-through-trauma-healing-hope-and-critical-care/

[09:22] Rebuilding Faith in Uzbekistan

• Spotlight on the Baptist community in Bukhara and their ongoing struggle to rebuild their church.
• Challenges faced:
• Legal and administrative barriers.
• Current alternative worship space requires significant renovations.
• Call to action:
• Goal: Raise $50,000 for renovations.
• Donate Now: https://www.mightycause.com/story/Bukharachurch

[14:00] Advanced Religious Literacy Training in Kazakhstan

• Recap of the Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy Training held in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
• Highlights:
• Participation of 15 provincial heads of religious affairs.
• Hosted in collaboration with Caspian University and Straus Center for Dispute Resolution.
• Interactive sessions led by Dr. Chris Seiple, Dr. Attila Miklovits, and Dr. Sukhsimranjit Singh.
• Key moments:
• Roundtable discussions with Kazakhstani religious leaders representing Islam, Buddhism, and Christianity.
• Government officials’ heartfelt toasts reflecting on their learnings.
• Closing remarks from LYNC CEO Wade Kusack on the transformative nature of the program.
• Related Link: More on Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy: https://lyncommunity.org/our-work/

[21:00] Final Reflections and Closing Remarks

• Gratitude to the global LYNC community for their support throughout 2024.
• Teaser for the upcoming report on Kazakhstan's multi-faith engagement efforts.
• End with a moving excerpt of a Ukrainian Christmas carol

• Full Ukraine Trauma Therapy Report: