I’ve been speaking and writing with increasing frequency this year about establishing the Cross Christian Counseling Center and my belief that, by bringing two Christian counselors-in-training (Lauren Weaver and Caitlyn Fisher) and an experienced Christian counselor (Andy Nix – retired U.S. Army chaplain and certified counselor licensed in SC and GA) into our fellowship, the Lord is saying the season is at hand to begin building this program.

However, the more I looked into the myriad details/complexities involved in obtaining the necessary credentialing and establishing reimbursement relationships with insurance companies, the more I realized that, without professional expertise from the outset, a God-honoring product would be slow in coming – this despite Andy’s willingness to volunteer his expertise on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings. Thus, my planning for next year included hiring a full-time, credentialed Christian counselor/administrator in January to guide the birthing process. . . last week God opened another door.

During the course of a conversation with Andy, he informed me that he had resigned his counseling position in Savannah and opened talks with the S.C. Department of Corrections concerning a full-time counseling position in a state facility. I suggested he prayerfully consider joining our team to launch the Counseling Center – he called the next day to say he was both interested in and excited about the possibility. I arranged for him to meet at length with Elisabeth Markle (Pastoral Care Coordinator) and Rebecca Hamilton (Lay Ministry Multiplier) – they would be overseeing/facilitating this ministry. After an extended time with Andy, they spoke with me in glowing terms about the blessing God was offering this parish and community. Subsequently, I invited Andy to walk with us into God’s new tomorrow – he enthusiastically accepted the challenge and will be joining us officially on October 1st.

Though much will need to be done before its doors can be opened to serve those in need, the Cross Christian Counseling Center now has an earthly shepherd; and for that we can say, “Thanks be to God!”

In His power and for His glory,