During the last couple weeks of March, a series of package bombings shook the community of Austin, Texas and made national headlines. This tragedy hits close to home for many in Austin, including us here at the Hogg Foundation. In response, we co-organized an event, called Hope for Healing, which took place in East Austin—the area of town where a number of the bombings occurred. The event offered dialogue, healing and connection, as well as candid conversation about what many of us experienced.

One of the featured speakers was Joseph Parker, Senior Pastor of David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Austin. In this conversation, he share his thoughts on the role faith has to play in community responses to, and ultimate recovery from, trauma.