Join Brandi and James as they talk with Dr. Frauke and Dr. Charlie Shaefer about the theology of suffering. We all have one, as it frames the way we believe about the nature of God and the suffering we encounter. Frauke talks about what often causes spiritual struggle is the discrepancy between prior assumptions and what people experience. Charlie adds that a theory of suffering is we try to reconcile a loving God with the experience of pain around us.

This is so relevant for cross-cultural workers because the reality of encountering suffering is much higher in the difficult locations they live and serve. Our bodies are wired for meaning-making, and we are trying to get a sense of orientation and predictability for the world. This makes spending time to form and revisit a theology of suffering an important part of the life of the cross-cultural worker.

Check out their book Trauma and Resilience, which James highly recommends. You can take this spiritual resilience questionnaire James put together from their book.

Charlie and Frauke met in a Folk Religions class in the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary after Charlie had returned from working in Togo, W. Africa and before Frauke left Germany for Nepal to work in a rehabilitation hospital for those with leprosy. About a decade later they reunited in Grenoble, France. Married in 2000, they work together as a psychologist, Charlie, and psychiatrist, Frauke, sharing their God-given desire to support the mental health needs of global workers and others in ministry.

Frauke and Charlie particular passion is for strengthening the resilience of global ministry workers, who face high levels of stress and trauma in the locations where they live and the type of work they do. Providing training, retreats, counseling, psychiatric care, and consultations, Charlie and Frauke focus on the emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of these workers, their families, and organizations.

While based in North Carolina, God has called them to minister in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and North America. Frequently traveling or using video conferencing technologies, Charlie and Frauke continue to serve those global workers who have responded to God’s call.