Hope Groups are gospel centred recovery and growth programs that take people to the root of suffering and sin and lead them to embrace the freedom found only in Christ’s redemption. Most people hear the word recovery and think of major addictions. But we all wrestle with something: past hurts, anger, greed, bad habits…
To embrace the freedom found only in Christ’s redemption, we must get to the root of sin and suffering. We seek to help disciples see these truths through the light of Scripture and a personal relationship with Jesus.
Our Hope Groups are intensive studies which apply the Bible to specific life situations. These studies require self reflection and vulnerability which we hope will lead to personal and spiritual growth. They are aimed at those who are ready for change, insight and have a willingness to share with others. These Hope Groups run seasonally throughout the year and incorporate teaching, group break-out, prayer and personal study. You can register for a Hope Group online or contact soulcare@harvestbible.ca for more information.
Asking for help is the first step toward change. This is a good thing.
We want to be a church where gospel conversations happen at every level, as we encourage one another. However, at various times in our lives, we have all needed or will need formal counselling. Anyone wanting a conversation with one of our trained counsellors can send an email to soulcare@harvestbible.ca. We want to walk alongside you in your journey toward healing, reconciliation, and peace.
What can you expect from us?
We are compassionate BSC staff and lay counsellors with education, training and certification in gospel centred counselling and theology. We are not licensed counsellors, therapists, psychiatrists or psychologists. We want to intentionally, lovingly walk alongside hurting people who are taking a courageous step of faith in sharing their struggles and pain with us. Our counsel is based on the sufficiency of God’s Word, which is not exhaustive, but comprehensive as it relates to understanding people and the problems of life.
What do we expect from you while in counselling?
Counselees are asked to attend weekend services every week in-person or online, attend scheduled sessions or provide 24 hours notice of cancellation and complete any assigned homework.
Intensives
In addition to formal counselling, in some situations we will recommend to people that they do an intensive. This is a 1, 2 or 3 day counselling retreat, for particularly difficult issues where quick progress is crucial.
If you are in an emergency situation and need help, please call 911 immediately.
Hope Groups are gospel centred recovery and growth programs that take people to the root of suffering and sin and leads them to embrace the freedom found only in Christ’s redemption. Most people hear the word recovery and think of major addictions. But we all wrestle with something: past hurts, anger, greed, bad habits… To embrace the freedom found only in Christ’s redemption, we must get to the root of sin and suffering. We seek to help disciples see these truths through the light of Scripture and a personal relationship with Jesus.
Our Hope Groups are intensive studies which apply the Bible to specific life situations. These run seasonally throughout the year for men and women. They incorporate teaching, group break-out, prayer and personal study. Occasionally our Hope Groups are designed to pair participants with a mentor. You can register for a Hope Group online or contact soulcare@harvestbible.ca for more information. If you are interested in mentoring or supporting those who are in our Hope Groups, check out our “Ways to Serve” page.
Biblical Soul Care Training
Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC)
Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC)
Some people choose to pursue certification in biblical counselling with either ABC or ACBC. Certification is completed in stages, which includes a training course, observing counselling sessions and completing required reading in theology and gospel centred counselling. There are theology and counselling exams and supervised counselling hours also required to complete certification.
Becoming a Biblical Soul Care Counsellor
An approved counsellor is an uncommon leader who has godly character, genuine commitment, and growing competence with the ability to influence, equip, and care for others. Once approved training and supervised counselling is complete, staff and elders will make a decision on whether counsellors are approved or more training is required.
Training Conferences
Occasionally we put together groups of people who would like to attend various training conferences and seminars in Canada and the United States. These provide excellent opportunities to learn from leaders and authors in the gospel centred counselling.
Have questions? Want to discuss your next steps? Contact us at soulcare@harvestbible.ca
Ways you can serve in BSC
You are already involved
Everyone at Harvest Bible Chapel does Biblical Soul Care whenever they are compassionately walking alongside someone who needs encouragement or support. It’s uncommon community in action. This often starts at the small group, study group or Hope Group level. However, sometimes the situation requires more intensive care and some one-on-one counselling conversations. Here are some other ways you can get involved:
Hope Group Mentors
Hope Group mentors walk with the participant, meeting with them weekly. The mentors help develop an after-care plan for participants. They do not necessarily attend weekly meetings. Mentors will receive a mentor guide.
Advocates
Advocates commit to attending counselling sessions with a counselee, when appropriate and at the counselee’s request. They are mature Christians who love God, believe in the sufficiency of Scripture (2 Pet. 1:3) and will regularly pray for the counselee. Advocates intentionally, lovingly walk alongside hurting people with much grace and encouragement, but are also willing to speak the truth in love and hold them accountable. They also help provide long term support after formal counselling is finished. Advocates are often friends of the counselee or in their small group. All advocates will be provided with a brief orientation meeting to outline the role of advocates and answer any questions they have.
Event Volunteers
We need people who are willing to help with the little details and practical needs for running events and training. This includes:
- Working at our promotions desk in the lobby as needed
- Set up/Clean up for special events and training
If you are interested in serving in any of these ways, contact us at soulcare@harvestbible.ca
Helpful Resources
ABC – Association of Biblical Counselors
ACBC – Association of Certified Biblical Counselors
These two organizations are the largest and most widely recognized independent certifying organizations for those wanting to become certified biblical counsellors.
CCEF – Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation
CCEF is a private school providing online gospel centred counselling classes.
CBCC – Canadian Biblical Counseling Coalition
BCC – Biblical Counseling Coalition
These websites provide excellent topical articles and recommended books.
Video Series
Dr. Brad Hambrick offers excellent free online video series for various counseling topics; Marriage, Depression, Anger, Sexual Sin and more.
IBCD – The Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship
Here you will find free audio teaching from various biblical counsellors on many counseling topics.
