A small group of interested individuals/churches began to meet over the year of 2015. As a result of this continued connection a small group began to gather together to discuss the possibility of creating an organziation that would continue to aid and encourage churches within the Upper Mid-West in the area of Biblical Counseling.
Family Baptist Church in the heart of the inner city of Minneapolis, MN had long been engaged in Biblical Counseling through the leadership of Dr. Lee Ormiston and Jerry and Karen Hime. These individuals had been faithfully engaged in caring for the hurting in this area for years prior to brith of the Alliance.
Karen McMahon, the Director of Discipleship Counseling at First Evangelical Free had also been engaged in the work of encouraging others through biblical counseling. First Free is set in the suburbs of the Minneapolis/St. Paul region.
Two brothers serving together in a small rural community in New Prague, MN had also began a ministry of counseling in their local church to care for the hurting as well.
Three distinct ministries, in three distinct locations, with an identical passion to care for the broken hearted with the truth of God's Word joined together seeking to expose and encourage ministries toward effective discipleship/counseling.
In January of 2016, out of the efforts of these individuals/churches the Biblical Counseling Alliance began as an organziation seeking to help people/churches in the Upper-Midwest. Since that time the Alliance has grown from a regional organziation to a national organization with members in all around the United States.
On the trip home from an ACBC Annual Conference in Louisville, KY the purpose and goals of the Alliance were penned down on a long car ride home. These ideas were presented to the group and refined to focus in on the exact emphasis we believe would strengthen others in biblical counseling.
Two areas surfaced through the refining of these ideas. The Alliance would create an online resource center in order to aid in the preparation of pastors/counselors for discipleship/counseling ministry. The time they would save in preparation might allow them to help more hurting people. A second emphasis would be the ongoing sharpening of counselors through the creation of a monthly Interactive Focus Group. These online and in person groups would be given opportunity to receive instruction and interaction to shape the effectiveness of their discipleship/counseling ministry.
The Alliance is excited to see how its membership of individuals, churches, organizations continues to grow in the present and hope that it will continue to encourage and sharpen biblical counselors for years to come.
Executive Director: Easley, SC
Josh serves as the Lead Pastor of Cape Bible Chapel in Cape Girardeau, MO. He graduated with an M.A. in Biblical Counseling and an M. Div. from Central Baptist Theological Seminary. He also holds a Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Counsling from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Josh is certified as a Biblical Counselor through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).
Regional Board Member: Maplewood, MN
Karen serves as the Executive Director of Renewed Hope Biblical Counseling. She received a M.A.T.S – Master of Arts in Theological Studies from University of Northwestern–St. Paul and M.A.B.C – Master of Biblical Counseling from Faith Bible Seminary in Lafayette, IN (spring 2018). Karen is a certified biblical counselor through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).
Regional Board Member: New Prague, MN
John is the Lead Pastor at Community Baptist Church and directs the counseling ministry team at CBC. He holds an M.A. in Biblical Counseling and an M. Div. from Central Baptist Theological Seminary. John is pursuing certification through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).
Regional Board Member: Minneapolis, MN
Dr. Ormiston is the Senior Pastor at Family Baptist. He received his Bachelor in Science in Mechanical Engineering from North Dakota State University, a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Central Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Sacred Ministries from Northland Baptist Bible College.