Local veteran helps those struggling with PTSD
By Nancy Price
Loren Minnix is helping veterans turn their post-traumatic stress disorder into a positive growth experience.
Minnix, a veteran himself, started Greenwood-based Warrior’s Hope in 2006.
“I wanted to reach out to extend hope to those who may be struggling,” he said. It’s their hope.”
Warrior’s Hope is designed to help veterans adjust back to civilian life and help them to process their emotions such as anger, loneliness and depression into post-traumatic growth.
“There is PTSD and what is called post-traumatic growth, where a person takes devastating trauma and turns it around for the good rather than for self-deprecation,” he said. “It’s a struggle any way you cut it, but I think the old term, turning lemons into lemonade, is a good description of post-traumatic growth. You introduce that thought process to them because it’s foreign to their minds. If you can take and turn your trauma around for the good, that’s a whole other focus; that’s where there’s hope, whereas PTSD struggles with the negative side of trauma. People say, ‘How can there be a positive side?’ We grow from experience. We really grow when we’re hit between the eyes with it.”
Minnix is a Certified Biblical Counselor. He believes that learning from the Bible is more effective than secular therapy.
“Psychology doesn’t work,” he said. “It’s a secular process and limited in its scope, whereas biblical counseling goes right to the depth; how and why we were created.”
Warrior’s Hope offers mentoring, weekly peer support group meetings, private counsel, referral to resources and group study.
“We give them a goal to shoot for rather than focus on their personal problems,” Minnix said. “While we allow people to talk about their weak and personal issues, we have a focus as well.”
Minnix introduces devotional books as a way to help veterans process their emotions. For example, a daily devotional book on anger management was the focus of a recent study. Participants may take turns reading a passage aloud and discuss the emotion during a facilitator-led group.
While some veterans may have grown up in a Christian home, Minnix noted, others may have been exposed to violence and addiction growing up, and Christianity is entirely new to them.
“This one guy came in to one of our meetings and he hung around a little bit after,” Minnix said. “I said, ‘Do you want to talk to me?’ He said ‘Yeah. I hear you guys talking about Jesus Christ. Is it really real what you’re talking about?’ Six weeks later, during one of our meetings, I asked if anyone had anything to share. He said he turned his life to Jesus Christ. To see people who really don’t know if they have a specific direction and find one that is fulfilling for them is an awesome opportunity.”
Warrior’s Hope meets every Tuesday from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Warrior’s Hope headquarters at 430 N. Madison Ave. Ste. 2, Greenwood. For more information, contact Loren Minnix at (317) 412-2428 or email L.Minnix@warriorshope.com.
What do you consider your greatest virtue?
Being focused on God. My main focus is on Jesus Christ, who was crucified. Everything else falls into place.
What upsets you?
Right now, in today’s world, it’s political correctness. We’re afraid to tell the truth for fear of offending someone.
What do you like best about Center Grove?
I moved here in 1968 and it’s been home ever since. It was a small town and I’ve had the privilege of watching it grow and grow and grow, from a sleepy village to dynamic industrial potential.
What’s your favorite Southside eatery?
Anyplace that does not sell alcohol.
If you had to live anywhere else in the Metro Indianapolis area, where would it be?
I don’t think I’d want to live anywhere else. Greenwood’s fine with me.
If you could begin life over, what would you change?
Nothing.
If money were no issue, how would you spend it?
Helping others. I love world missions and helping the local church.
What makes you happiest?
Seeing people find God.
Pick three adjectives that best describe you.
Pugilistic; protagonist; aggressive.
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Smoky Mountains.
What do you do with idle time?
Read.
What would you change about our culture if you could?
I think we need to be more realistic. We need to recognize aggressive forces for what they are and not try to patch them up or heal them over.
How do you escape from reality?
I don’t know that I do. Reading would be one way to do that. I read my Bible a lot and I love it. It’s not a struggle for me. It’s just fun.
What do you love most in life?
My wife and children. The fact that God has blessed me with a good family. (And a future great-grandchild.)
Which living person in Center Grove do you most admire?
Woody Church. Woody helped me when we formed Warrior’s Hope; he was one of my advisors in biblical counseling. He helped Warrior’s Hope form the vision. He was dynamic in his vision for Warrior’s Hope. He was a dear friend and mentor.
What quality do you admire most in another person?
Openness.
What is your greatest fear?
God. Fear is the beginning of God’s wisdom.
What has been the happiest time of your life?
Seeing new babies come along in the family. It’s something special to bring new life in the house.
Is there a special talent you really wish you had?
I wish I could play a musical instrument.
What do you most value in your friends?
Integrity.
Which historical figure do you most admire?
Right now, it would be Oswald Chambers since I’m reading his books so much.
What tenet do you live by?
Being consistent in faith, work, relationships.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
How uneducated I really am. I quit school after the seventh grade. I was reading Ernie Pyle and about atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I was absorbing stuff and to me, that was school.
