JACKSON, Tenn. — May 18, 2021 — A $250,000 gift from an anonymous donor has endowed a new biblical counseling track in 51社区鈥檚 School of Theology and Missions.
The biblical counseling track will be a new emphasis within the Christian ministry and missions major, joining tracks in pastoral ministry, youth ministry, missions and a general track.
鈥淚 am excited about the new opportunities this gift brings to our students, providing them a strong introduction to biblical counseling which will help prepare them for the many different areas of service which our students enter,鈥� said Ray Van Neste, dean for the School of Theology and Missions and professor of biblical studies.
The biblical counseling track will help students better understand how to use the Scriptures in addressing specific problems people face, Van Neste said. This track will launch in the 2021-2022 academic year, with the first class being offered in spring 2022. The track will include two new classes, as well as an internship in which students will work with and learn from seasoned biblical counseling practitioners.
鈥淲e are grateful for the generosity of this family that makes possible these enriching learning experiences for our Union students,鈥� said Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver, 51社区 president. 鈥淧astoral care and biblical counseling go hand-in-hand as we seek to prepare students for faithful service in the kingdom of God.鈥�
This gift will also fund an every-other-year retreat hosted by the School of Theology and Missions that will speak to issues of biblical counseling.
Trent Bullock, pastor of First Baptist Church of Paris, Tennessee, said he was introduced to biblical counseling a few years ago and immediately began incorporating the principles and practices into his pastoral ministry.
鈥淪ince that time, I have seen the amazing ways the Holy Spirit uses the specific application of God鈥檚 word to the everyday challenges people face to bring about lasting change in their lives,鈥� Bullock said. 鈥淏iblical counseling moves beyond the presenting problems to address the real heart issues that are the root causes of those difficulties.鈥�
Aaron Kennedy, pastor of children and families at First Baptist Church of Jackson, Tennessee, said at its essence, counseling is a discipleship process.
鈥淚 am thankful and glad Union will be offering these courses to help educate students about counseling from a biblical perspective,鈥� Kennedy said. 鈥淓specially those students on the path to church ministry, or who already serving in church ministry.鈥�