Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who oversees Hope Counseling and Discipleship Center?

A: Hope Counseling and Discipleship Center is a ministry of Hope Bible Church, therefore, the counseling center is accountable to the leadership of Hope Bible Church. This includes how the donations given to HCDC are handled. For more information about Hope Bible Church, visit: www.hopesav.com.


Q: What is the cost of counseling?

A: While HCDC does take donations, our counseling is free of charge as a ministry of Hope Bible Church. The only costs involved are resources and materials our counselors may ask you to purchase during counseling.


Q: Are HCDC's counselors licensed therapists?
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A: No. Our center is made up of pastors and counselors, and we provide pastoral counseling under the banner of the local church. Hope Counseling and Discipleship Center is not a licensed counseling agency, nor are its counselors psychologically or medically-trained therapists. We are ministers of Jesus Christ and we offer pastoral counseling intended to bring life change through heart change. 


Q: What training do the counselors of HCDC have that makes them qualified to counsel people?

A: Our counselors are either local pastors, biblical counselors who are certified through The Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC), or counselors who are in the process of certification. We do not believe someone needs to be a "professional" in order to help someone with serious struggles. Rather, we believe the ability to carry out the private ministry of the Word through the power of the Holy Spirit changes lives. It is God's job to change the human heart; it is our job to come alongside people who are suffering and speak the truth in love that they might become mature in Christ (Colossians 1:28, Ephesians 4:15).

Our counselors who are certified through ACBC have completed rigorous training that has equipped them with the knowledge and skillset to counsel faithfully to Scripture. To see ACBC's certification process, visit: ACBC's Training and Certification.

In addition, every member of HCDC adheres to ACBC's Standards of Conduct and Standards of Doctrine. To see these standards, visit: Standards of Conduct, Standards of Doctrine.


Q: What is HCDC's stance on mental illness and psychiatric medicine?

A: The counselors of HCDC adhere to The Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) stance on mental illness and medicine. For our position on this, see: Mental Illness and Medicine.


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