C. Lacy Thompson
LBM Associate Editor
John Williams probably feels a little harried these days as he considers the
work being done by the Louisiana Baptist Childrens Home.
In fact, he admits as much.
John Williams probably feels a little harried these days as he considers the
work being done by the Louisiana Baptist Childrens Home.
In fact, he admits as much.
“We feel like the proverbial person trying to outrun the
snowball rolling downhill, …” says Williams, executive director of the
Monroe-based home for children. “And were about a half a step ahead
of the snowball right now.”
At the same time, Williams acknowledges he would not have it
any other way – because the “snowball” rolling downhill behind
workers at the Louisiana Baptist home is impacting lives all across Louisiana.
The story dates back several years.
For many years, the childrens home operated as many would
expect – it cared for orphaned and otherwise displaced children on its
Monroe campus.
A number of years ago, it expanded by assuming responsibilities
for Southern Baptist work with unwed teenage mothers, opening a facility in
Tallulah to care for them.
Meanwhile, home officials were getting calls from pastors and
others around the state, asking for referrals to Christian counselors in a particular
area. Sometimes, the home could recommend a person. Sometimes, it could not.
That concerned leaders of the state convention agency. They
made the issue a matter of prayer and developed the vision of what to do. But
they lacked the resources.
Enter the late Ray Granberry and his wife, Mary Anna, who called
Williams in 1996 to say they wished to make a sizable gift to the home. “Theyd
had a long burning compassion for the childrens home … and were some
of our finest friends,” Williams said of the couple, who were longtime
members at First Baptist Church of Lafayette.
Williams says he had no idea what type of gift the Granberrys
wished to make. When he met with them, they asked if there was something the
home wanted to do but could not afford yet. Williams explained a vision he and
other home leaders had for establishing a counseling center on campus and satellite
centers throughout the state.
He then found out how “sizable” a gift the Granberrys
meant. They intended to give the home $1 million.
Williams knew exactly what to do with the money.
Part of it was used to build a counseling center on the Monroe
campus. It opened in 1997. The rest was placed in endowment to help fund the
expansion of the center.
That is when the “snowball” began rolling.
A center was opened in Winnsboro in 1998.
Two more were opened in 1999 – in Epps and Winnfield.
Another two were opened last year – one in St. Joseph
and one in Baton Rouge.
Four are scheduled to be opened this year – in Oak Grove,
Ruston, Gonzales and Baton Rouge once more.
Nine other sites already are proposed in such places as Minden,
Vidalia, Covington, Natchitoches, Alexandria and on the Louisiana College campus
in Pineville.
It is easy to see why Williams chooses a runaway snowball analogy
for the work underway.
The concept of the local counseling centers are simple –
to provide affordable Christian counseling for persons in need of such help,
explains Kelly Barnett, director of the ministry for the Louisiana Baptist Childrens
Home.
The counseling is designed to help persons in areas related
to marriage and family, such as strengthening husband-wife relationships, working
with parent-child conflicts and offering parent-training support groups. Individual
counseling also is offered on such issues as stress, anger, depression and grief.
The mission statement of the centers read – “The
Granberry Mission is to provide affordable, professional counseling dedicated
to Christian principles to individuals, couples, and families throughout Louisiana.”
Barnett notes the mission is based on John 10:10, in which
Jesus tells followers he came that persons “might have life and that they
might have it more abundantly.”
Centers are located in private areas as much as possible –
and privacy is a high priority, Barnett explains.
In addition, thanks to endowment funds and subsidies from the
home, counseling can be offered on a sliding scale in which persons pay what
they can afford.
The ministrys Web site explains the concept. “The
center provides an initial assessment for the family in order to discuss the
basic problem,” it notes. “There is no charge for this session. If
the family and counselor come to an agreement on the familys needs and
the centers ability to help, an appointment schedule is set up, with fees
based on a sliding-fee scale that range from $10 to $60 per session.
“No one seeking help will be turned away. The journey
to a stronger marriage and family begins with the first step. Granberry Counseling
Center provides support and guidance as families take that step. The journey
is worth it – the abundant life demands it.”
Williams puts it more succinctly. “If we can keep a marriage
together (as a result of our counseling efforts), if we can get parents to understand
a child and keep that child in a loving home, thats money well invested,”
he stresses.
Others echo the sentiment, calling the launch of the ministry
effort as a “giant step” for the home.
Persons who visit the Monroe center or one of the satellite
facilities can expect professional Christian counseling from persons who are
nationally certified and working towards final licensing, Barnett explains.
Counselors work full- and part-time and are dedicated Christians,”
he emphasizes. “Thats important, because we believe when people come
to us, they bring with them their greatest resource to help them – Gods
Holy Spirit.”
Response has been strong – and growing stronger.
In April, about 200 counseling sessions were conducted throughout
the state, Barnett notes. That was a record for the Louisiana Baptist Childrens
Home ministry effort.
The sessions are helping to fulfill the original intent of
the ministry, Barnett adds. Most referrals are from pastors. Sometimes, the
referral is to help a family or individual deal with a problem, he notes. Sometimes,
it is preliminary work, to help a family not develop a problem.
Meanwhile, towards that end, the ministry is working to offer
more than just counseling, the Web site explains. It notes that therapists are
available to provide educational presentations at churches, schools and local
organizations. They also can be used to conduct marriage enrichment retreats
and seminars for local groups.
“We believe God is using us to help strengthen families
across Louisiana,” Barnett says.
Home officials say they want the centers to be a valuable asset
to churches as well, offering help for pastors faces the pressures and difficulties
of ministry and providing help on conflict resolution, Barnett explains.
In addition, about 95 percent of the people currently being
counseled in the centers are active members of local congregations, Williams
notes.
Even so, that is just scratching the surface of what is needed,
he emphasizes as he reflects on the growing ministry that began just four years
ago.
“Thats scary that we have so many people in need
in our churches,” Williams acknowledges. “But the good thing is that
we now have an answer for them.”
(For more information on the Granberry Counseling Centers in Monroe and elsewhere
throughout Louisiana, persons may call 318-345-8200 or 877-345-7411 – toll-free
in Louisiana. Calls are confidential, officials stress. Persons also may contact
the counseling centers via e-mail at granberry@lbch.org.
The mailing address is – Granberry Counseling Center, P.O. Box 4196, Monroe,
LA 71211. the Web site is located at www.lbch.org/granberry/)