Michael Christensen and Robert Duncan participated in training 30 New Jersey ministers, chaplains, and counselors in techniques of trauma relief prior to September 11, 2002. Christensen is director of the Doctor of Ministry program and Duncan is director of admissions for the Theological School.

The 30-hour training program was funded by the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church which anticipated that pastors and counselors would see an increase in requests for counseling, crisis care, post-traumatic stress, and grief work as the anniversary of the attacks approached.

The certified training included field traumatology, PTSD symptoms, trauma relief, crisis intervention, disaster mental health and compassion fatigue. Those trained were assigned to churches and social service settings throughout the state to be available during the anniversary week and thereafter.