Where faith meets truth, trauma meets healing, and the Church becomes a place of restoration.
Trauma-informed theology, spiritual formation, and justice-centered ministry for individuals, leaders, and communities seeking healing beyond survival.
Rev. Dr. Noel Simms
Ordained Minister · Theological Educator
Bridging Faith, Psychology & Social Justice
Rev. Dr. Noel Simms is an ordained minister, theological educator, and trauma-informed practitioner whose work bridges faith, psychology, and social justice. With over 20 years of leadership in education and ministry, Dr. Simms has dedicated his life to confronting harmful theological frameworks — particularly those that spiritualize suffering — and replacing them with life-giving, liberation-centered approaches to healing.
He is the author of Bleeding in the Name of the Lord: A Trauma-Informed Theology and Resources for Wholistic Healing in the Church, a groundbreaking work that challenges endurance-based theology and calls the Church into accountability, embodiment, and transformation.
Education & Formation
Doctor of Ministry
Candler School of Theology, Emory University
Master of Divinity
Harvard Divinity School
Certificate in Spiritual Direction (in progress)
North Park Theological Seminary
The Three Theologies of Suffering
Immersion Ministries advances a Trauma-Informed Theology of Liberation rooted in truth, embodiment, and justice.
Punishment Theology
"You deserve this"
Endurance Theology
"God is using this"
Liberation Theology
"God stands against this"
The Simms Framework™
A Trauma-Informed Pathway to Wholeness — a comprehensive model developed by Rev. Dr. Noel Simms for reconstructive theology that moves individuals and communities from harm toward healing, liberation, and authentic faith.
Reclaim Identity
From Wounds to Worth · From Shame to Empowerment
Reimagine God
From Judgment to Compassion · From Distance to Presence
Rebuild Community
From Isolation to Connection · From Superficial to Authentic
Redefine Church
From Exclusion to Inclusion · From Hierarchy to Community
The Three-Phase Process
At the Center
Healing & Liberation
Rev. Dr. Noel Simms · Trauma-Informed Reconstructive Theology
Ministry That Moves People
Eight interconnected areas of ministry designed to cultivate trauma-informed, spiritually grounded communities.
Trauma-Informed Theology & Ministry
We equip churches and leaders to recognize and respond to trauma through a theological lens that affirms dignity, embodiment, and justice.
- Religious trauma and spiritual abuse
- Neuroscience of trauma
- Reframing suffering beyond 'God's will'
- Healing-centered church environments
Teaching, Preaching & Theological Formation
Biblically grounded, intellectually rigorous, and pastorally sensitive teaching integrating Scripture, Black Theology, Womanist Theology, and Liberation Theology.
- Bleeding in the Name of the Lord
- The Gospel of Endurance vs. Liberation
- The Body Tells the Story
- From Sacred Suffering to Divine Protest
Men's Healing & Formation
A trauma-informed, non-patriarchal approach to masculinity through the Melanated Men's Network, addressing emotional suppression and generational trauma.
- Emotional suppression & generational trauma
- Faith, identity, and purpose
- Relationships and family systems
- Embodied practices for restoration
Spiritual Direction & Soul Care
Offering sacred space for individuals seeking deeper connection with God, self, and purpose through trauma-aware spiritual guidance.
- Listening without judgment
- Trauma-aware spiritual guidance
- Discernment and vocational clarity
- Prayer, silence, and embodiment
Workshops, Retreats & Training
High-impact, fully developed training experiences for churches, organizations, and communities — each with facilitator guides and participant workbooks.
- Ministering to Trauma the Way Jesus Did
- Reimagining Communion as Healing
- The Wounded Healer: Leadership After Trauma
- When Faith Teaches Us to Bleed
Podcast & Media
Leaning Into Healing with Rev. Dr. Noel Simms — exploring faith and mental health, trauma and theology, justice and the Black Church.
- Faith and mental health
- Trauma and theology
- Justice and the Black Church
- Personal healing journeys
"Healing is not weakness. Truth is not rebellion. Faith is not endurance."
For Churches, Organizations & Individuals
For Churches & Organizations
Institutional Transformation
- Trauma-informed ministry training
- Leadership development intensives
- Church consultation & transformation strategy
- Curriculum licensing
For Individuals
Personal Healing Journey
- Spiritual direction
- Coaching & mentoring
- Healing cohorts
Bleeding in the Name of the Lord
A Trauma-Informed Theology and Resources for Wholistic Healing in the Church
A groundbreaking work that challenges endurance-based theology and calls the Church into accountability, embodiment, and transformation. Available as a book, workbook, and facilitator guide.
Additional Resources
Healing Extends Beyond the Sanctuary
Re-entry Support
Formerly incarcerated individuals
Job Readiness
Life skills & workforce development
Youth Education
STEM programs & mentorship
Faith-Based Restoration
Community partnerships & outreach
Invite Rev. Dr. Simms to Speak
Rev. Dr. Simms is available for speaking engagements, workshops, retreats, and training programs. Each engagement is tailored to your community's unique needs and context.
Send an Inquiry
"This work gave language to what we've felt but never understood."
— Workshop Participant
"For the first time, healing felt like a spiritual practice — not a failure of faith."
— Cohort Member
Join the Movement
Healing is not weakness.
Truth is not rebellion.
Faith is not endurance.
This is your invitation to heal.