The Path to Healing from Sexual Trauma Conference – 2024

Marcus Warner has served as president of Deeper Walk International since 2006. Marcus earned three degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School – M.Div., Th.M. Old Testament, and D.Min. He has written numerous books including his most recent title, Breakthrough! 5 Essential Strategies for Freedom, Healing, & Wholeness. An in-demand speaker, Marcus has spoken for both ministry and corporate groups across the country and around the world. A Bible teacher at heart, Marcus has taught Old Testament and Theology at the junior high, high school, college, and seminary levels. His passion is taking complex topics and making them practical and accessible for everyone.

Heather Davediuk Gingrich, Ph.D., developed and coordinates the Graduate Certificate in Trauma Therapy at the Chapman School of Graduate Studies at Toccoa Falls College in Georgia and is graduate counseling faculty. Her prior positions include eight years in full-time clinical practice, eight years of teaching in Canada, eight years of teaching in MA and doctoral programs in the Philippines, and a 17-year stint as Professor of Counseling at Denver Seminary. Along with her teaching positions she has maintained a part-time clinical practice focused on working with trauma survivors.

Her doctoral dissertation was on complex trauma and dissociation in a university student sample in the Philippines. She has written several academic books for counselors, including Restoring the Shattered Self: A Christian Counselor’s Guide for Complex Trauma (2020, IVP Academic), Treating Trauma in Christian Counseling (co-edited; 2017, IVP Academic), and Skills for Effective Counseling: A Faith-based Integration (co-authored; 2016) as well as numerous journal articles and book chapters on trauma and dissociation. She has also authored a book for survivors which came out in April 2024 titled Shattered No More! Healing for Survivors of Abuse, Interpersonal Violence, and Complex Trauma.

Heather has been married to her best friend, Fred, for over four decades. They have two adult children and are raising their grandson, Rico, whom they adopted. She loves the outdoors, working outside when the weather allows, and enjoys hiking, walking, and swimming.  Heather likes to travel, enjoys beach vacations, and has always loved reading novels to relax. She enjoys playing games with family and friends.

Melissa Finger is the founder and executive director of the Trauma Healing Center, Inc. in Olathe, Kansas. The mission of the Trauma Healing Center is to assist individuals in healing from trauma, partner with other organizations and ministries to further equip them in trauma-informed care, and provide support to Community Caregivers in their own personal and professional development. In addition to this work, Melissa has a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling that she has used in various counseling settings for more than fifteen years. In 2011, she transitioned from professional counseling into biblical counseling. As a biblical counselor her focus has been trauma-informed care for individuals who have a history of severe and complex trauma.

Melissa developed the term Trauma Coping System as a way to describe God’s design for the trauma response of dissociation for children who have been abused. In her first two books, Trauma Coping System, and Trauma Coping System Devotional, Melissa describes God’s design for helping a child survive overwhelming trauma, as well as his design for their complete healing. In addition, Melissa has published two fiction books on this topic. Her 5th book, Living an Abundant Life, is due to be released in summer 2024, and will focus on identity in Christ, spiritual warfare, and embracing God’s design for growth and healing for each person.

Melissa lives in the Midwest and is married with two children. She loves to spend time with her family traveling, attending sports games, hiking, or just hanging around the house. Making relational connections and finding creative outlets are two of her favorite ways to spend her time.