About Us
WE HONOR ALL BELIEFS
OUR MISSION IS SOUL REPAIR & SPIRITUAL HEALING
WJH is focused on the unseen wounds of war and military service – the moral injury and/or the soul wound. War/Combat places individuals in situations that compromise their personal values, ethics and morals. The moral injury occurs when; “The noble cause for which I signed up for is compromised.”
WJH provides a safe place and honors all beliefs. We do not question a person telling their story, but rather we listen without judgment, criticism, advice, diagnosis, platitudes or sympathy. The stories of WJH members are listened to with compassion – which means to ‘suffer/experience with’ the person who is speaking.
The civilians/family members and friends are The People of Strong Heart who have their own need to speak their truth on how military service has impacted them and their family.
What part did the civilians play (People of Strong Heart) and how do we provide reconciliation and forgiveness?
We are a soul, embodied soul, conditioned by the culture and time in which we are born, raised and will someday leave. Our life’s experiences affect us in body and in spirit – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Dir. Sergio Leone. Perf. Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach. PEA (Italy), United Artists (US & UK), 1966. Military service is all these things.
Healing from the invisible wounds of war is a process requiring patience, honesty, and companionship.
John M. Schluep
Our Founder
John M. Schluep was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, Regular Army Infantry on March 15, 1974 from the Ohio State University ROTC. He served as an Airborne Rifle Platoon Leader, Reconnaissance Platoon Leader, Intelligence Officer and Assistant Operations with the 172nd Arctic Light Infantry. Lieutenant Schluep finished his active duty as the Executive Officer of Company A, The Commander in Chief’s Guard, Third US Infantry (The Old Guard) Washington, D.C. and was the Plans and Security S-2. He resigned from active duty with the rank of Captain and attended graduate seminary leading to ordination in the United Methodist Church and later as a pastor in full connection in the United Church of Christ.
Dr. Schluep has served churches in Northeast Ohio, instructed at Kent State University, Northeast Ohio College of Medicine, and consulted on several PBS productions. John Schluep earned his Bachelor of Arts from the Ohio State University, a Master’s of Divinity from The Methodist Theological School of Ohio, and a Doctor of Ministry from Boston University School of Theology.
Dr. Schluep retired in 2016 after 29 years of pastoral ministry from the First Congregational Church of Tallmadge, UCC where he served for 17 years as the senior pastor. The integration of his experiences as a soldier, pastor and counselor lead to answer the ‘call’ to found Warriors’ Journey Home. John is married to Beth and they have three children and three grandchildren.
HEALING CIRCLE LOCATIONS
The local Healing Circles provide the safe ‘container’ for veterans and People of Strong Heart (civilians) to tell their story, listened to with a compassionate heart, and offer the soul healing necessary for wellness. Our circles are open and they are growing in number.
Weekly or bi-weekly meetings of WJH are called “Healing Circle.” The Healing Circle is designed around ceremony. The culture of the host organization may use Native American ceremony while others use traditional religious practices. The common factor is the unique experience of the veteran and their family expressed through a sacred ritual.
Join a circle near you, or contact us if you are interested in finding out more about how to start a circle in your area.
Tallmadge, OH
The Schenkenberger House.
35 SW Ave.
Tallmadge, OH 44278
Monthly/Last Sunday @ 6:00 pm
Mike Shuman (Veteran)
330-212-9812
mshuman@kent.edu
Akron, OH
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
50 N. Prospect St.
Akron, Ohio
Monthly/3rd Sunday @ 3:30 pm
Jack Harig
330-644-9862
jack.harig@gmail.com
Ellet, OH
Oak Hill Presbyterian Church
2406 Ardwell Ave.
Akron, Ohio
Monthly/2nd Wednesday @ 5:00 pm
Shelly Friedrich
330-690-7215
ssparhawk@neo.rr.com
Louisville, OH
Military Family Center
5495 Meese Rd., N.E.
Louisville, Ohio
Monthly/1st Saturday @ 10:00 am
Larry Larson
234-288-4984
buckhunter75@hotmail.com
Wadsworth, OH
Trinity United Church of Christ
215 High St., Wadsworth
2nd & 4th Thursday @ 6:30 pm
Peggy Hegbar
330-687-5767
hegbarp353@gmail.com