God’s word can bring healing to individuals and their families and Encounter Ministry is offering valuable services to facilitate this through their Biblical Counseling Center. They are rapidly expanding their team of counselors and they are encouraging those in the community who may be struggling in their marriages, relationships, and with mental health issues to reach out and seek their assistance.

In this interview, Dr. Rob Rodriguez, the Director of Biblical Counseling with Encounter Ministry, explains the difference between biblical counseling and traditional counseling. He emphasizes the importance of seeing individuals as created in the image of God and using Scripture as a tool for healing.

The center offers a 32-week training program in partnership with the Association of Biblical Counselors, aiming to equip believers to help others using Scripture-based principles. The center encourages churches to partner with them to build up local biblical counseling programs, ensuring that the community can provide care rooted in God’s word.

Encounter Ministry is a non-denominational Christian organization that hosts weekend encounters for men, women, and married couples.

The ministry aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for people to share their personal stories and struggles, and to find healing and spiritual growth through the power of testimony and community. The ministry also offers biblical counseling to help attendees continue their journey of faith and restoration after the encounters.

The founders, Richard and Shelli, share their own story of overcoming marital challenges and how that led them to start the ministry in Reno, Nevada, which has since expanded to multiple cities across the country.

What is Biblical counseling and how does it differ from traditional counseling? Rob Rodriguez, the Director of Biblical Counseling at Encounter Ministry answers this question in detail in this interview. He discusses how Biblical counseling focuses on using the word of God to help people with their struggles and suffering. This is done with the goal of discipleship and heart transformation rather than just behavioral modification.

Rob explains that any believer can be trained to counsel biblically, regardless of their background or qualifications, as long as they have a desire to honor and glorify God. The program, that Rodriguez helped launch locally, is open to anyone and provides a community-based approach to applying biblical principles to assisting people in their everyday lives and challenges. Learning how to counsel others is the perfect way to love your neighbor.