Pathways, associations partner to provide counseling statewide

Pathways, associations partner to provide counseling statewide

By Grace Thornton
The Alabama Baptist

In 1996 the leaders of Pathways Professional Counseling had a vision — they wanted to be in reasonable driving distance of everyone in Alabama.

Fast forward to today, and Pathways — a ministry of Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries (ABCH) — has partnerships with 30 Baptist associations across the state, providing counseling services to associational mission strategists (AMS), pastors, ministers and others in need.

How does it work?

The association provides office space, a small financial investment and limited clerical support, and Pathways provides the services of a professional counselor who works from a biblical worldview, according to Rod Marshall, ABCH president and CEO.

“Pathways currently serves thousands of individuals each year,” he said. “Especially in our associational partnerships, most of those individuals and families are referred to us by pastors.”

‘Additional ministry tool’

The partnerships serve as “an additional ministry tool for pastors” and an additional resource the association can offer to local churches and church leaders, Marshall said.

Randy Makemson, AMS for East Cullman Baptist Association, said it has “opened doors for needful ministry” in his association, offering professional Christian counseling to church leaders and members going through a gamut of life situations.

Wendell Ray, elevating mission strategist for Escambia Baptist Association, agreed.

“I personally have utilized both of our counselors,” he said. “One major emphasis of our association is to encourage leaders. It is very fulfilling to be able to provide counseling that we can trust to these leaders and their families.”

Statewide coverage

Pathways’ professional counselors “truly give people a path and way to wholeness, not just some advice,” Ray said.
Ross Hickman, Pathways president, said the partnership helps Pathways meet its ministry goals too.

“To achieve statewide coverage without the partnership of the associational offices would not be sustainable over the long term,” he said.

It’s a partnership that’s changing lives, Hickman said. “We have seen many come to a saving knowledge of Christ during their time with us, and we have heard many pastors from around the state remark they are so thankful for the ability to refer members of their congregations to Pathways, knowing a faith-based professional counselor will be working with their loved ones.”

Marshall said that because of the partnership, Pathways is in some ways the most visible portion of the “family ministries” part of what ABCH does.

“By serving local churches through local associations, we are both giving back to those who are our greatest stakeholders and we are living out our commitment to be true to our heritage and identity of a Baptist entity, serving on behalf of Alabama Baptists to families and children throughout the state,” he said.

For more information visit pathwaysprofessional.org.