Trauma-Informed Leadership

on the Mission Field

Daniel R Sick, M.A.

Ph.D. Student at Lancaster Bible College

Daniel has 20+ years of cross-cultural experience, out of which 15 years were directly related to working as a missionary. He holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Seminario Theologico Centroamericano, Guatemala. He has also mastered two languages in addition to his native language, German, and is working on his fourth. As a former Missionary, Daniel’s goal is to support missionaries on their journey.

Important Truth: Being a missionary is more of an identity than a profession.

“Short” list of life-forming events:

  • Intercultural marriage since 1999, with children born on three different continents.

  • Called into full-time ministry in 1996 in an unmistakable way to serve the Triune God.

  • Five years of seminary training, concluding with a B.A. in Theology & Missions.

  • Four years in Yap, Micronesia, as pastor, counselor, administrator, & Bible School teacher.

  • Survived Super Typhoon Sudal in 2004, ending up leading reconstruction efforts.

  • Relocation to a second mission field after being denied a return to the previous work.

  • Ten years in Ecuador as pastor, counselor, regional youth director, Bible School teacher, & church planter. Functioned as translator for groups like Samaritan’s Purse & Police Special Forces.

  • Survived 7.8 Earthquake in Ecuador while being in Quito, about 100 miles from the epicenter.

  • Eight years of online studies in SETECA (Guatemala), earning an M.A. in Ministry Leadership.

  • Enduring 2.5 years of complex work environments, leading up to leaving the field burned out.

  • Five years of ministry involvement as Faith Formation Pastor, organizing Sunday School classes, Small Group ministry, Men’s Ministry, and Women’s Ministry.

  • Burnout caught up to me and led me to leave ministry for a trucking job.

  • Currently studying towards a Ph.D. in Leadership at Lancaster Bible College.

Research Project

Preliminary Research Title

Contributing Factors of Trauma-Informed Executive Leadership within the Cross-Cultural context of Missional Work

Preliminary Research Concern

This Phenomenological case study explores trauma-informed executive leadership in the cross-cultural context of the mission field. The study also compares the perception of trauma-informed leadership within the cross-cultural context as seen by the executive leaders and the missionaries who report to them. Lastly, the study intends to identify contributing elements of trauma-informed leadership within the cross-cultural executive leadership context.

“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story can make all the difference.”

— Ph.D. Research Insight

Research Progress

Projected Timeline

All year 2026

Conduct Topical Literature Review

Spring 2027

Write & defend Research Prospectus

Summer 2027

Conduct Research & Analysis

Fall 2027

Defend Research & Dissertation

Spring 2028

Celebrate Graduation from LBC

Updates on the Research

  • It’s worth checking back in late fall of 2026 for some information here.

  • It’s worth checking back here in the summer of 2027.

  • You will find the final findings here in late Fall of 2027.

For more information of to conenct with the student, please use the contact form.