Associates in Christian Counseling

Friend of ACC - An Interview with Rev. Alan D. Wright

As Senior Pastor of Reynolda Presbyterian Church, how did you first learn about Associates in Christian Counseling?

I came to Reynolda in November, 1996. As a new pastor in town, one of my first questions was ‘where are the resources?’ My church family told me about ACC. In addition, two members of ACC’s staff were members of the congregation at the time which enabled me to get to know them personally.

As a pastor, why are you a supporter of ACC?

People come to me for help when they are at a critical point in their lives. They are vulnerable. As a pastor, I feel a certain vulnerability when referring them somewhere. I need to feel secure when I make that recommendation. I trust and value Associates in Christian Counseling because I know the foundation on which it’s built.

Reynolda Presbyterian has long supported ACC through its mission budget.
What is behind this decision?

Our mission statement is to ‘forever see Winston-Salem changed by sharing the healing presence of Jesus which we’ve so uniquely experienced.’ Having said that, there are two reasons we support ACC financially.

The first is because it is local. We believe that if people can be healed, they can become part God’s army of love to build His kingdom. ACC has a unique ministry of healing to hurting people which the church cannot provide.

Second, there are times when we have provided funds for one of our own church members to be seen at ACC. As a church, we simply cannot hire a large full-time counseling staff. If a member of our congregation has a need we cannot meet, we may help them get the services they require from a staff in whom we have great confidence.

For those not familiar with ACC, what would you like them to know?

What Associates in Christian Counseling offers is Christian counseling. It is a well-rounded and balanced approach combining the best of psychological and spiritual truth. Personally, I believe one without the other limits healing. As a pastor, I believe that the church cannot be all she should be as long as Christians carry unhealed wounds. We limit our impact on God’s kingdom if we have not been made whole.

Any final thoughts….

Throughout my 9+ years of experience with Dr. Joe Verga, ACC’s Executive Director, I have come to appreciate many things about him. He is a man of profound integrity, with a genuine love for God, and a true heart for people. He and his staff are Christ-centered in their faith and excellent in their professional training.

As a senior pastor, I like to be as visible as possible when I support something. I am glad to be called a “Friend of ACC.”

Rev. Alan D. Wright is Senior Pastor, Reynolda Presbyterian Church in
Winston-Salem, NC