Our Committee

United in faith and a desire to help the victims/survivors of sexual abuse heal, we have been asked by the Apostolic Lutheran Church of America Central Board to form this ministry.

Why are we given the name Balm of Gilead?

In the Old Testament Jeremiah asks, “Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?  Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?” (Jeremiah 8:22)  He was telling the Jewish people about their coming exile and the destruction of Jerusalem resulting from their blatant sin and rejection of God.  So, the question, “Is there no balm in Gilead?”, asks if there is healing for this people.  God’s answer through Jeremiah is, “Yes,” and that someday he will bring a new agreement and “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34).  This new agreement went into effect with the death and resurrection of Jesus.  So the “balm of Gilead” refers to the love and healing power we find in Jesus.

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)