Speak The Truth

Mike is joined virtually by Jeremy Lelek to preview his Call to Council conference track on biblically unpacking mental health diagnoses. Jeremy explains the objective of engaging intimidating DSM categories by describing them from a psychiatric perspective while bringing Scripture to bear on what to do and how to interpret struggles through a biblical anthropology that includes spiritual realities without ignoring physiological and empirical data. The track will cover PTSD, borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD and scrupulosity, and bipolar disorder, with sessions led by Beth Claes, Dr. Nate Brooks, and Dr. Matthew Lapine. They aim to equip licensed professionals, pastors, and laypeople with practical tools and confidence that God’s Word speaks comprehensively to these issues.00:00 Podcast Welcome00:21 Meet Jeremy Lelek00:43 Track Overview02:06 DSM and Scripture03:28 Diagnoses Covered04:20 Track Team Spotlight07:41 Why This Matters08:21 Church Lens on Labels09:46 Biblical Anthropology10:59 Who Should Attend12:32 Final InvitationEpisode MentionsRegister for the Mental Health Track

In this bonus episode of Speak the Truth, Michael introduces John Henderson to preview the Trauma Track for the Call to Counsel Conference 2026, led by Henderson alongside Darby Strickland and Curtis Solomon. They describe the track’s aim of equipping counselors to bring compassionate, patient, gospel-centered ministry to men and women suffering trauma, emphasizing deep healing that requires biblical wisdom and a robust view of the person as an embodied soul made in God’s image. The eight sessions include biblical anthropology of trauma, defining trauma and its development, describing and entering the sufferer’s world, remembering/reliving/retelling and reinterpreting through Scripture, grief and lament, guilt and shame and God’s covering in Christ, and a closing Q&A. The track is presented as culturally and personally relevant and intended to demystify trauma while fostering dependence on God’s grace, Spirit, and Word.00:00 Podcast Welcome00:19 Bonus Episode Setup00:33 Trauma Track Purpose01:38 Session 1 Biblical Anthropology01:55 Session 2 Defining Trauma02:12 Sessions 3-4 Entering Their World02:44 Session 5 Retelling the Story03:23 Sessions 6-7 Lament and Shame04:17 Session 8 Q&A Wrap Up04:34 Why This Track Matters05:56 Demystifying Trauma Counseling06:55 Hope in Christ and Scripture07:32 Final Invitation to 2026Register Now  

Recorded at the Biblical Counseling Coalition Global Summit, Michael interviews New Zealanders Darryl Burling and Jason Winslade about advancing biblical counseling and missions in New Zealand. Darryl founded the New Zealand Biblical Counseling Association (NZBCA) in 2017 and says it is being rebuilt with new board members and a renewed, context-sensitive approach rather than importing an American system. Winslade a Christchurch pastor, describes developing biblical counseling in his church, launching New Zealand’s first biblical counseling center (Hope Counseling Center), and joining the NZBCA board to strengthen national reach across both islands. They explain NZBCA’s virtual structure, speaker/workshop requests, volunteer opportunities, and a national counseling request process that routes people to certified counselors or seasoned pastors. They announce two 2027 conferences: March in Christchurch with Jim Fain and September in Auckland with Stuart Scott, emphasizing equipping local churches to reclaim soul care and use counseling evangelistically.00:00 Welcome and Setup00:58 Meet Darrell and Jason03:39 NZBCA Vision and Context05:43 Nationwide Structure and Travel07:24 Request Speakers and Workshops09:09 Conferences and Guest Speakers11:26 Volunteering and Church Support13:14 Counseling Requests and Local Hubs16:20 Why Counseling Belongs in Church18:46 Final Thanks and Next StepsEpisode MentionsNZBCA Hope Counseling Center 

Biblical Counseling Africa: Equipping the Church for Gospel-Centered Care in South Africa and BeyondRecorded on the road at the Biblical Counseling Coalition Global Summit, this Speak the Truth podcast episode features interviews with Kyle Johnston and Jane Kratz from Cape Town, South Africa, about their ministry contexts and the growth of Biblical Counseling Africa. Jane shares how her husband’s death in 2012 led her to pursue a theologically rich approach to grief and loss, moving from prior psychology studies to biblical counseling training through ABC’s Equipped to Counsel material and later studying at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, with additional church experience in Texas before returning to South Africa. Kyle, an ordained minister at Gracefield Church in Fish Hoek, explains how pastoral ministry exposed a gap between confident pulpit preaching and applying Scripture in complex, conversational counseling situations; this led him to training through Wayne Mack’s curriculum in South Africa and a master’s degree at The Master’s University in Los Angeles (2012), while continuing to prioritize pastoral care and counseling in church life.They discuss why they remain committed to serving in Africa despite opportunities elsewhere, noting both the significant needs in Cape Town and South Africa and the mission field created by migration from other African nations. They describe cultural observations, including hospitality and the value of contextual ministry shaped by South Africa’s historical experience, including navigating multicultural ministry after apartheid.Kyle outlines how Biblical Counseling Africa began in part to make CCEF training more accessible and affordable in their context and to expand beyond South Africa through online courses. The organization’s aim is to equip local churches across Africa to provide wise, loving, gospel-centered pastoral care that restores Christ to counseling. They describe a three-level approach: (1) grassroots seminars, talks, and workshops (including using ABC conference resources with local case studies and courses such as Jane’s nine-week grief care course); (2) training such as ABC’s Equipped to Counsel offered during COVID and in-person; and (3) advanced CCEF courses, with growing enrollment. Future focus includes helping pastors develop a church-wide culture of care, vulnerability, and mutual ministry beyond sermon-centered expectations.They explain that Biblical Counseling Africa is a nonprofit and invite listeners to support the work through prayer, financial giving, and volunteering. They emphasize the need for resources to sustain operations, relieve volunteer load, and provide scholarships for students from poorer African contexts. They express gratitude for support from American partners including CCEF, ABC, BCC, and others, noting that courses are offered at about a quarter of the normal cost, and direct listeners to biblicalcounsellingafrica.com for more information and contact.00:00 Welcome to Speak the Truth (Podcast Intro)01:09 Meet Jane: From Grief & Loss to Biblical Counseling02:30 Texas Culture Shock & Accent Stories03:39 Meet Kyle: Pastoral Ministry Path into Counseling06:12 Why Stay & Serve in Africa? Calling, Need, and Gifts08:23 Jane’s Perspective: Returning Home, Mission Field in South Africa10:56 Culture Notes: Hospitality, Affection, and Multicultural Ministry12:53 What Is Biblical Counseling Africa? Origins, Partnerships, Vision15:20 Equipping the Church: Training Levels & Accessible Resources16:35 Level 1 Training: Seminars, Consultations & Explaining Biblical Counseling17:16 Grief Care Course & Topic-Based Workshops (Burnout, Anxiety, Depression, etc.)17:53 Using ABC Conference Content: Videos, Workshops & Local Case Studies18:41 Advanced Training: Equipped to Counsel & CCEF Courses19:14 Next Step: Building a Churchwide Culture of Care (Pastors + One-Another Ministry)20:31 Beyond the Pulpit: Equipping the Saints & How Counseling Shapes Preaching24:10 How to Support Biblical Counseling Africa: Prayer, Giving & Website Info26:08 Funding Needs: Affordable Training, Supporting Students & Volunteer Capacity29:04 Volunteering with BCA: Gifts, Admin Help & Partnering via Email30:05 Wrap-Up: Invitation to Visit South Africa, Gratitude & Final ThanksEpisode MentionsBiblical Counselling Africa The Comfort of God in Grief - A Nine Week Grief Care Course by Jane  

In this episode of Speak the Truth, Michael & Emily are joined by Joe and Ursula Morell from Stockholm, Sweden. They discuss the critical role of biblical counseling in missions, the challenges and growth in their local church, and their journey toward seeking to be a training center for biblical counseling in Scandinavia. Highlighting the interplay between personal struggles, theological training, and the missionary task, the conversation underscores the importance of practical theology and mutual care in building resilient Christian communities.00:00 Introduction to Speak the Truth Podcast00:35 Meet Our Guests from Stockholm, Sweden01:47 The Journey to Biblical Counseling03:54 Personal Struggles and Growth in Ministry06:21 Building a Church with Biblical Counseling07:26 Challenges and Realities of Missionary Work14:08 Connecting with A, B, C and Training Initiatives18:56 Current Church Context and Demographics22:23 Implementing Biblical Counseling in Church Life26:42 Future Goals and Prayer RequestsEpisode MentionsContact ABC 

In this episode of Speak the Truth, Michael interviews Kike Torres, a pastor dedicated to church planting and biblical counseling. Kike shares his journey, ministry background, and his approach to evangelism and pastoral care. He discusses planting churches in Mexico and internationally, including recent efforts in Panama and the United States. Kike also highlights the importance of training and equipping leaders through a culturally sensitive approach that emphasizes mutual care and biblical counseling. Listeners are encouraged to support his ministry through prayer, financial contributions, and active involvement.00:00 Introduction to Speak the Truth Podcast00:33 Meet Kike Torres: A New Brother in Ministry01:36 Kike's Journey in Ministry02:57 Church Planting and Global Missions05:24 Implementing Biblical Counseling in Church Planting09:41 Cultural Differences in Ministry11:41 Equipping and Certification in Biblical Counseling14:28 Future Plans and How to Support18:58 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsEpisode MentionsCristo es Mejor - Kike's Ministry Check out Kike's books

In this episode of Speak the Truth, Michael welcomes Pastor Matt MacCollin to discuss the biblical approach to responding to crisis situations in the church. Matt shares his personal testimony of overcoming a traumatic past, including substance abuse and a life-changing car accident, which ultimately led him to faith and his current role as pastor at Salem Heights Church. They delve into addressing crises such as tragic accidents, sickness, adultery, abuse, and addiction, emphasizing the importance of prayer, careful listening, and the application of Scripture in counseling. Practical advice and key biblical passages are highlighted to equip listeners in providing effective crisis care.00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:46 Matt MacCollin's Testimony03:31 Journey to Pastoral Ministry05:37 Responding to Crisis Situations08:25 Practical Steps for Crisis Counseling15:31 The Importance of Prayer and Wisdom in Counseling16:51 Guiding with Wisdom and Prayer17:09 The Importance of Slowing Down17:23 The Power of Prayer in Crisis18:34 Scriptural Guidance for Healing21:37 Addressing Addiction and False Worship22:10 Handling Adultery with Compassion24:18 Practical Applications in Counseling26:11 The Role of Theology in Crisis29:47 Concluding Thoughts and EncouragementEpisode Mentions 2026 National Called to Counsel Conference -  Register Now The Most Excellent Way - Victory Over Addiction

In this episode of 'Speak the Truth,' Michael returns with guest Kristin Silva Linder, an author and biblical counselor from Portland. The conversation delves into the theme, 'Wisdom Adorns the Shamed,' focusing on how wisdom and scriptural truths can address the impacts of trauma and shame. Kristin shares personal experiences and insights into helping individuals who feel unworthy or dirty on the inside by showing how God's promises beautify them. She discusses the importance of holding onto steadfast love and faithfulness to trust God's narrative over feelings of shame. The episode underscores that through leaning on Jesus and embodying His words, one can experience radiance, beautification, and joy despite the burdens of shame.00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Introduction01:23 Kristin Silva Linder's Background and Current Work02:47 Exploring the Concept of Shame and Trauma06:49 God's Response to Shame and Trauma13:33 Practical Wisdom from Proverbs18:17 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode of Speak the Truth, Michael discuss the topic of burnout among counselors, particularly those dealing with trauma cases. Joined by recurring guest Beth Claes, they explore how burnout can manifest, the personal and professional factors that contribute to it, and effective strategies for prevention. Beth shares her personal experiences with burnout, the importance of recognizing red flags, and the critical role of self-care and spiritual refuge. The conversation also delves into practical advice for counselors on maintaining a healthy soul and seeking support before reaching a tipping point.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:20 Guest Introduction and Topic Overview00:44 Beth's Personal Experience with Burnout03:18 Defining Burnout and Its Symptoms04:34 Contributions to Burnout in Counseling08:20 Recognizing and Addressing Burnout15:12 Steps to Avoid Burnout19:50 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode of Speak the Truth, host Mike and special guest, Curtis Solomon discuss the themes of biblical truth and counseling. They explore the significance of God's presence through Psalms 46, emphasizing God's power and provision amid suffering and trauma. Curtis shares updates on his new ministry, the Sentinel Institute, which focuses on empirical research, resources, and reforms in biblical counseling. He also discusses his work at Boyce College and the Biblical Counseling Coalition. The conversation underscores the role of God’s presence and character in providing comfort and solace during times of pain and affliction. 00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement00:43 Casual Conversation and Personal Anecdotes01:23 Conference Theme and Counseling Through Psalms02:09 Curtis Solomon's Recent Transitions and New Ministry03:38 The Sentinel Institute: Mission and Vision09:01 Exploring Psalm 46:4–7 God's Presence in Our Pain11:36 Historical Context and Symbolism in Psalm 4620:33 New Covenant Perspective and Personal Application24:05 Encouragement and Final ThoughtsEpisode MentionsThe Sentinel Institute Boyce College Southern Baptist Theological Seminary