Concordia Nebraska to present “Rooted & Restored” event

Concordia University, Nebraska will present “Rooted & Restored: Soul Care for Those Who Serve” on Friday, July 31, 2026. The event will take place on the university’s campus but will also be offered in a virtual format for those not able to attend in person. Rooted & Restored was intentionally designed for church workers, therapists, counselors and other humans services professionals to explore the heart of soul care rooted in the promise of Psalm 23:3: “He restores my soul.”  

The event is the first presented by Concordia Nebraska’s Abundant Life Wellness Initiative, which is co-directed by Concordia Nebraska Director of Counseling Kathy L’Heureux and Kathleen von Kampen, program director for the university’s Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) and Family Life Education (FLE) graduate programs. 

“We pour into others, so who pours into us? I think those who care for others often carry more than they show and this symposium is created to support those in mental health and faith-based helping professions,” said L’Heureux. “It is our prayer as directors that those who come can be renewed and restored so they can continue to serve with strength, clarity and purpose as they pour into others.” 

“We pour into others, so who pours into us? I think those who care for others often carry more than they show and this symposium is created to support those in mental health and faith-based helping professions.”

 Rooted & Restored was designed to equip faith-based helping professionals with meaningful professional development, practical tools for their work and an opportunity to feel supported and strengthened in their ministry settings. 

“Our initiative seeks to provide Christ-centered wellness education, foster emotional resilience, and equip individuals for healthy relationships and service—especially within rural and campus communities,” said von Kampen. “I am also excited to offer this symposium as an integral part of the MFT/FLE on-campus residency experience. By inviting our students into these conversations, we hope they will be able to apply this knowledge directly to their studies and future work in the field.” 

Event guest speaker is Rev. Dr. Rick Marrs, a licensed counselor who serves as senior professor of practical theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Marrs’ presentation will teach the origins of Martin Luther’s understanding of soul care and its enduring relevance. From this foundation, attendees will consider how soul care shapes both work with others and care for ourselves with practical tools and thoughtful approaches to carry into clinical practice, ministry and daily life.  

“We are honored to welcome Dr. Rick Marrs as our guest speaker for this event. Dr. Marrs is a licensed counselor and LCMS pastor whose book ‘Making Christian Counseling More Christ-Centered’ is used in our Christian Spiritual Formation and Psychotherapy course,” added von Kampen. “This course integrates a biblical and Lutheran worldview into key topics in psychology, psychotherapy and education. We look forward to students and attendees learning from Dr. Marrs as he explores the origins of soul care and invites us to reflect on the many ways God “refreshes my soul.” 

The Rooted & Restored event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, July 31 and is $75 per person. Lunch is included for in-person attendees. Event sponsors include Thrivent, the Lutheran Ministry Foundation and Concordia Nebraska’s Abundant Life Wellness Initiative. 

Event tickets are available are available at go.cune.edu/rootedrestored26. 

Concordia University, Nebraska’s graduate programs equip participants to pursue deep, comprehensive study that prepares them for leadership and advanced professional impact. With Concordia University, Nebraska’s Master of Science in Family Life Education program, participants can enhance churchwork roles and guide congregations using Scripture and emphasize faith and family perspectives. In Concordia University, Nebraska’s Marriage & Family Therapy program, participants discover a Scripture-infused view of modern psychology and therapy that transforms marriages, families and communities by focusing on faith and family perspectives.