Life's challenges sometimes seem impossible to overcome.  RHCC offers a free, appointment-based, Biblical counseling ministry through peer encouragement. This is a volunteer-based ministry by highly trained RHCC members called “Encouragers.” They are not paid professional therapists, but they can encourage and help you through some of life's difficult times by offering a listening ear and sound Biblical advice.

This ministry of caring and people- helping has been given to all Christians (1 Thessalonians 5:11,14), but especially to those who have the spiritual gift of exhortation or encouragement (Romans 12:8). As followers of Christ we all are part of the priesthood of believers (1 Peter 2:5), and are charged with carrying one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) as we offer the same comfort to others that we have received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). This is the experience, strength, and hope we all have as part of the Body of Christ. A key area of ministry in the church, therefore, is that of people-helping-people through lay counseling (1 Thessalonians 2:8). This is one of the practical ways we live out God’s agape love (John 13:34,35).

Increasing care through lay counselors or lay caregivers is a Biblically-based ministry that has received much research support. Research shows that lay counselors are effective in helping people with their problems in living. Most people do not need therapy with a professional to “get better.” What they do need is a brother or sister in Christ, walking alongside them for a season, providing them with a meaningful, safe relationship, and offering them encouragement, validation, and accountability centered on the Word of God and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Biblical lay counseling is available free of charge to all, in a one-on-one, time-limited format (up to eight sessions), with an Encourager of the same sex. This lay counseling program is based on Biblical principles and is designed to create an opportunity for spiritual growth through participating in a series of individual sessions with a peer Encourager.

Encouragers have received training in spiritual counseling principles through the Biblical Lay Counseling training program and are supervised by a licensed professional counselor and pastor, or another qualified person assigned by the pastoral staff for that purpose. The peer encourager to whom you will be assigned is not a professional mental health therapist. All the appointments take place in the church offices and all the scheduling is done through the church.

All participants meet initially with the Wholeness Ministries Pastor to discuss how best to meet presenting needs, and develop goals for their healing process. Following this initial appointment, participants are assigned to an Encourager to begin sessions.

 
Screening Appointments are available:

Tuesdays at 9:30 or 11:00 AM, and 2:00 or 2:30 PM
Wednesday Evenings - 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM
Thursdays at 2:00 or 2:30 PM

Biblical Lay Counseling sessions last up to 45 minutes per session.
To request a screening appointment, please contact Becky Lomax at the church.