Many of us carry things we've never spoken aloud. Grief that never had a place to go. Harm done to us as children. Pain passed down through generations that we didn't ask for and didn't cause.
The Tree of Life walks through Scripture from the birth of Jesus to His resurrection, holding on to something we don't often say plainly: Jesus Himself knew trauma and betrayal. He is not distant from what you carry.
Storytellers share with the whole group. Then everyone moves into small groups, each with two trained leaders. It is in those small groups that you're invited to share — at whatever level you feel comfortable. You're given the chance to find and tell the stories that have shaped you. In that safe space, we journey together in Christ-centered healing, becoming the men and women God intended us to be.
Scripture speaks of healing for body, mind, and spirit. "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3). "By His wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). That is the ground this gathering stands on.
Our VisionGod's people standing in the light with one another.
Our MissionJourney with Jesus Christ to explore our tree of life for positive impact for change.
You do not need a faith background. You do not need to have it figured out. You only need to be willing to show up for all three days.
The gathering runs 8:30 in the morning until 5:30 in the evening each day. Meals are provided. Everything else is built around making it safe to do hard work.
Facilitated by Native people who know the stories, the traditions, the culture, and the humor — and who have walked this road themselves.
What is shared in the room stays in the room. Every participant agrees to hold one another's stories in confidence.
No pressure and no force. You go only where you're ready to go. You come as you are and you leave when the time is right.
The Tree of Life Gathering asks more of participants than a weekly Healing Group does, so we ask more up front. The application includes questions about your health, your safety, and your history — not to screen you out, but so our facilitators can prepare well for you and make the room safe for everyone in it.
Answer honestly. Very little disqualifies anyone. If we have concerns, we'll call you and talk it through together.
There is nothing to sign at this stage. If you're offered a place, we'll send you LIM's release forms to read and sign before the gathering.
The application asks about difficult things — thoughts of suicide, unsafe relationships, and violence at home. We ask because we want to care for you well, and we treat those answers accordingly.
Your application is read only by the LIM staff involved in this gathering. It is not emailed around, and it is not shared outside our team.
What you share stays with us. Everyone here is an adult, and nothing you share obliges us to report it to anyone. If something comes up that you want to take further, we will help you do that — but it is your decision, not ours.
If you are in crisis right now, please don't wait on an application. Call or text 988 any time, day or night.
Nothing. There is no cost to attend, and all meals during the gathering are provided. The Tree of Life Gathering is funded by donors who believe Native people should never have to choose between healing and affording it.
Yes. Monday through Wednesday, 21–23 September. The three days build on one another, and people open up in ways that depend on the group staying whole. If something makes full attendance difficult, tell us on the application — we'd rather talk about it than have you rule yourself out.
No. The gathering is rooted in scripture, and we don't hide that. But no faith background is needed and nobody is pressured. You come as you are.
Because the gathering goes to hard places, and our facilitators want to be ready to support you there. The questions about safety and mental health help us prepare — they are not a test you can fail.
Yes. What is shared in the room stays in the room. Everyone attending is an adult, and nothing you share obliges us to report it to anyone. If you decide you want to take something further, we will help you — but that is your call to make.
Many participants have. The gathering is a natural next step for people who have been through Healing the Wounds of Trauma and want to keep going.
Applications are open. If you're not sure whether this is for you, apply anyway — we'll talk it through together.
Apply to AttendQuestions? Call (262) 439-5663