After going through our five-day Training for Trainers (T4T), a person can become certified as a Soul Shop trainer. That certification qualifies them to deliver our eight-hour training for faith community leaders. The T4T teaches participants adult learning theory, Soul Shop™ methodology and strategy as well as our content and invites them in to the larger movement. Upon completion, our trainers are fully equipped to go out into their world and help to create leaders and faith communities that are equipped to save lives and bring hope to those impacted by suicide and desperation.
Training for Trainer Dates
We will consider scheduling additional Soul Shop™ Training for Trainers sessions if significant demand is on the waitlist.
Soul Shop™ for Leaders | July 27 - 31, 2026 | Dayton, OH (Southwest Ohio Region)
Soul Shop™ for Leaders | July 27 - 31, 2026 | Columbus, OH (Central Ohio Region) This training is now FULL (see below)
Soul Shop™ for Leaders | August 2 - 6, 2026 | Akron, OH (Northeast Ohio Region) This training is now FULL
Soul Shop™ for Leaders |August 23 - 27, 2026 | Dayton, OH (Southwest Ohio Region)
Soul Shop™ for Indigenous Communities | October 4 - 8, 2026 | Sioux Falls, SD.
Soul Shop™ for Black Churches | April 12 - 16, 2027 | Pittsburgh, PA
Soul Shop™ for Leaders | April 18 - 22 , 2027 | Pittsburgh, PA
If the training you want to apply for is full please fill out the application to be put on a wait list. We will contact you if a spot opens.
(Please fill out the application, and the Soul Shop team will be in touch about the date and location. This can take up to two weeks for the Ohio T4Ts.)
Please get in touch with us if you would like to host a Soul Shop™ Training for Trainers in your community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Preparing for Training
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The fee for the training is $3,000.
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Complete the application by clicking one of the blue buttons on this page.
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Refer to the information above.
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Although attending a previous Soul Shop™ training workshop would be beneficial, it is not a requirement for participants.
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No, you don’t need to be an expert. The Soul Shop™ Team offers intervention training and information on suicide during the 4- to 5-day training.
This workshop will provide you with insights into suicide and best practices.
However, you must complete the ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) before becoming a registered trainer.
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Not at all. Soul Shop™ trainers come from all different backgrounds and areas of expertise, and no specific degrees or credentials are required. Trainers simply need to demonstrate experience and competence in suicide prevention and Christian faith. The most important qualification for a trainer is to believe in the church and be invested in the church becoming its best self.
That said, it is important that the Soul Shop™ trainer can articulate the ways that they are a faith community “insider.” This can include being a pastor, but it can also include being a seminarian, clergy spouse, pastor’s child, director of a faith-based non-profit, long-term Sunday School teacher, or life-long church member.
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The five-day training will certify you to teach the following Soul Shop™ workshops:
Soul Shop™ for Leaders
Soul Shop™ for Black Churches (available only to those who attend the Soul Shop™ for Black Churches T4T)
Soul Shop™ for Youth
Soul Shop™ for Youth Leaders
Soul Shop™ for Campus Leaders
Soul Shop™ for College Students
Soul Shop™ for Congregations
Soul Shop™ for Communities
You will also receive training materials, daily lunch, snacks and drinks throughout the day, and one evening meal.
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The dress code is business casual. Formal attire is not necessary, so prioritize comfort when choosing your outfit.
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Yes, we will provide a list of nearby hotels for you to choose from.
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Trainees will be responsible for all transportation expenses, including airfare (if applicable), hotel accommodations, and most dinners.
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All trainees are required to attend the full duration of the training. The program will start at 6:00 p.m. on Day 1 (typically a Sunday or Monday) and conclude at 1:00 p.m. on Day 4 (Thursday or Friday).
If you cannot attend the entire training, we recommend considering future sessions that better fit your schedule.
Attending Training
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Yes. To maintain your certification, you must conduct three Soul Shop™ trainings (with a minimum of 10 attendees) in the first year and two Soul Shop™ trainings each year thereafter.
If you do not meet these minimum requirements, we can work with you to create a reactivation plan within the next 12 months, tailored to your individual circumstances and the number of trainings you have completed.
However, if your certification lapses for more than 12 months, you will lose your certification and will need to attend another T4T to become a Soul Shop™ trainer again.
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Becoming a Soul Shop™ trainer gives you the valuable opportunity to lead and host this important workshop for your community. We provide a wide range of resources to support you in this process.
Once approved, we will make every effort to ensure that any Soul Shop™ workshop you personally cultivate or contract is assigned to you. While our team strives to connect trainers with inquiries that come through our home office, we cannot guarantee this will always be possible. Additionally, please note that other trainers may be trained in your geographic area, as Soul Shop™ does not offer exclusive area protections.
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No, you will not be classified as “Soul Shop™ staff” after completing the training-for-trainers. Instead, you will be recognized as an independent trainer, enabling you to develop and host your own Soul Shop™ trainings. We take pride in featuring all Soul Shop™ events on our website.
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Since Soul Shop™ trainers must possess specific skills and experience, not everyone is eligible to become a trainer.
However, if there are enough Soul Shop™ -approved candidates in your area, we would be open to discussing the possibility of bringing a T4T to your community.
For more information, please contact Michelle Snyder at Michelle@soulshopmovement.org.
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Yes, you are free to negotiate the terms with any organization for a Soul Shop™ workshop. We assume you will be compensated for your time during the training. We recommend a compensation rate of $1,000 per training, which allows you to recover your registration fee after two to three workshops.
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Not every person is qualified to do every version of Soul Shop. For instance, Soul Shop for Hispanic Churches is a Spanish-language version and Soul Shop for Black Churches is only done by Black people. That said, if you would be someone qualified to do the training, we do not require you to attend an entirely new T4T. We simply ask that you co-train the new version with one of our master trainers before attempting to do it on your own.
After Training
T4T Testimonials
“This experience was deeply human and transformative.”
— Sister Soleil Lema