What Is Prayer Counseling?
As a ministry of trained pastoral counselors, it is different from clinical or secular counseling. Just as Jesus did only what He saw His Father doing (John 5:19), we seek to help you discern what the Father wishes to do in your life and to participate with Him in His work of grace. We apply psychological knowledge relating to personality development, relationships, and other areas; but we rely primarily on the Word of God and the direction of the Holy Spirit to deal with the roots, not just the symptoms, of the issues in your life.
Inviting the Lord Jesus to lead us in prayer, we focus on areas in which you need to experience His love, comfort, and forgiveness, or areas in which you may need to forgive or release burdens. In His presence, painful memories are redeemed and transformed by truth. The process of prayer enables us to hear from God, moving the truth from our heads into our hearts, where lasting change in the patters of life can be experienced.
Because of the prayer focus, we work in pairs. The most experienced counselor directs the session while an assistant (usually a prayer counselor intern) provides prayer support for the counselor and the person receiving ministry. Ministry is confidential and can benefit adults and children with a wide range of needs.
A Broad Spectrum of Ministry Prayer Counseling can help you in many ways:
· Healing - marriage and family issues, childhood wounds, abuse, habits, relational difficulties, depression, anxiety
· Guidance from God - decisions, ministry issues, areas needing direction
· Relationship enrichment - effective communication, spiritual oneness, increased understanding. We offer personality and marriage enrichment testing resources, too.
· Spiritual growth - hearing from God through journaling, scripture meditation
Additional Resources:
Assessment Tools · Premarital or marriage enrichment testing
· Personality and work style testing
· Spiritual gift/ministry direction testing
A Premarital Counseling Program
Combines pastoral supervision, prayer counseling sessions, mentor couple, study course, and premarital and personality testing.
Classes and Ministry Training Opportunities
"Open door" classes on variety of topics involving relationship with God and others- for personal growth and for inviting a friend
School of Ministry classes to help you increase your understanding of others and minister effectively.
Support Groups
Offered periodically on specific topics for those wanting to grow and learn with others facing similar circumstances.
About Our Staff: The Prayer Counseling Ministry of Jubilee Worship Center is directed by Pastor Andy Leenstra under the supervision of Senior Pastors Mark and Becky Johnson.
Pastor Andy and his wife Deanna are the directors of the Christian Ministry Center in Willmar, MN, where they provide counseling, training, and support when not ministering at Jubilee. Pastor Andy is an ordained minister with a variety of teaching and leadership experience and a Master’s degree in Practical Theology. Deanna is a nursing instructor and psychiatric nurse with a Master's degree in Adlerian Counseling and Psychotherapy. Together they provide training and supervision for our teams of lay counselors and interns.
Prayer counselors complete courses covering relational principles, Biblical studies, and ministering prayer, which include materials from a variety of Christian therapists and ministers. Each counselor also completes a year of internship, assisting in counseling sessions, classes, and support groups. After passing examinations and case studies, they may add advanced counseling seminar courses. Each lay counselor leading a team has been approved for ministry by the directors and pastors, and works under their supervision.
How Do I Make An Appointment? You may call our office line at (320) 202-0540 to make an appointment or to leave a message.
Appointments are available on Thursday afternoons.
Sessions are scheduled in half hour blocks (with a one hour minimum) as follows:
· For a lay counseling team: $30/hour
· For a counseling team led by a pastor or master's level clinician: $50/hour
Although this ministry is partly staffed by trained volunteers and is supported by the church, the charges cover a portion of the cost of the supervising pastor and clinician's time. Funds are also used to provide care for those who cannot afford it. We have found that people making a financial investment in their personal growth also make a more significant emotional investment in the process, which brings a more effective result. The satisfaction of helping others experience ministry is also a part of the healing process. If payment is a difficulty, we encourage you to discuss it with your counselor or pastor.
Appointment Information Counseling appointments are held at Jubilee Worship Center's Restoration House (driveway just south of the church drive) on Thursday afternoons. For directions, click HERE.
At this time, we are unable to provide childcare, and we ask that you make arrangements for this before arriving for your appointment. Thank you! We look forward to seeing you.