Associates in Christian Counseling

Likemindedness

Dr. Billy Blakley is Director of Missions for Surry Baptist Association consisting of 68 member churches serving Surry County, west to Sparta, south to Pilot Mountain, and north to Cana, VA. One of his responsibilities is the counseling ministry which the association began many years ago.

“About 9 or 10 years ago, the pastors in our association acknowledged that there were mental health issues in their congregations and communities which needed to be addressed. A committee was formed to determine how best to provide services to meet those needs,” Dr. Blakley stated. “The people were so committed to this process that a designated wing was designed for the association building in order to provide a separate entrance for clients to ensure their privacy.” In 1998 the association entered into a relationship with CareNet, a division of Pastoral Care, WFUBMC.

Over time, committee members made the decision to move in a direction which they believed would better align itself with the purposes of their association. “In early May this year, we began our search considering many options—hiring our own counselor, another partnership, even becoming a training center for interns. We met and interviewed many good people. And all the time we prayed.” One day a colleague asked Blakley if he’d ever heard of Associates in Christian Counseling. He had not. With this new name seeds were sown to answer those prayers.

“It was July before we actually met with anyone from ACC,” shared Dr. Blakley. “It was amazing. My first impression was of the kinship of Spirit which we shared. There was a like desire to minister. There was a definite coming-together of hearts to meet a need, not just someone proposing a business arrangement. We prayed together for God’s discernment.” After more discussion, this unique partnership was formed.

ACC therapist, John Shuler MA, LPC, who will work in the Surry Christian Counseling Center, began his career as a pastor. Pastors are often the first point of contact when a person is struggling. Having a resource in which they have confidence and trust is important as it is an extension of their own ministry. John brings a personal understanding of that to the referrals entrusted to him by pastors.

As with Associates in Christian Counseling, there are no restrictions on receiving services. Billy jokingly added, “Our only requirement is that a person be breathing—they don’t need to be Baptist, religious, or anything else. When people are hurting, our desire is to meet them at their point of need.”

In concluding, Dr. Blakley shared that he believes people need help beyond just the moment. “People need something on which to stand. Seeing lives changed eternally is what matters. John Shuler and Associates in Christian Counseling truly believe that God is the answer to man’s problem. We at Surry Baptist Association look forward to this God-given opportunity to serve Him together with them.”