Jim was recently “ecstatically” welcomed as a Caring For The Heart Ministries associate by the Board of Directors of that ministry, under which he completed his counseling training and internship. John Regier is the founder of Caring For The Heart Ministries, a gifted and proficient leader in the field of Biblical Counseling. Jim has been counseling/coaching clients here in Nebraska, and we are honored to affiliate with CFTH and participate in the comprehensiveness of the ministry’s wisdom, experience and resources.
We are continuing our ministry as Simple Grace Ministries, keeping our focus on Jesus Christ and the purpose He proclaimed for Himself in Luke 4:18:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” (KJV)
Our hearts are deeply burdened for people who are hurting and who need to experience healing and freedom in their personal relationships. Our commitment is to assist couples (including premarital counseling), individuals and families resolve spiritual, emotional and relational problems through Biblical principles. The ministry of Jesus was focused on the hearts of those He encountered as He walked here among us. We believe Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, is still profoundly concerned for the hearts of people, and fervent to restore us to wholeness. “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)* When the heart is damaged, what springs forth is brokenness and damaging to oneself and others. We are very eager to share healing for the brokenhearted, that the heart’s abundance may be full of the joy of the Spirit of God.
Relationships don’t have to be destroyed to be painful and in need of a healing touch. From great marriages and exciting engagements to drifting mature marriages and generational hurts, every relationship needs a tune-up and some healthy maintenance occasionally. We believe every couple and/or family can grow from a little, or perhaps major, heart-care. Our commitment is to:
- Accept each person where they are, without conditions or judging
- Care about each person’s heart
- Understand each individual on a personal, heart level
- Pray, inviting the Holy Spirit to heal, free and restore each person, bringing them to joy and peace
The counseling care provided by Simple Grace Ministries is, ideally, a week of concentrated ministry which may include personal history, Biblical principles of truth, forgiveness, communication, recognizing spiritual blind spots, emotional healing, repentance and prayer. Counselees meet with Jim for three to five hours each day, and are requested to accomplish some study assignments, if appropriate. It is a life-changing experience, bringing joy and peace, and intimacy with the Lord and one another.
In our passion to impact as many hurting people as possible with solid Biblical restoration, we are also scheduling weekend conferences to equip churches and communities to minister to brokenhearted people. Jim and I share personal testimony, with the teaching given by Jim. Following the conferences, Jim will be available for individual ministry to a limited number of those wanting personal counseling. We are both also available for guest speaking and sharing the principles of healed relationships and restoration of damaged hearts.
Many of you know that we are working to remodel our barn to accommodate an office for our ministry. Until we finish our office, Jim is meeting clients at a nearby church which has graciously allowed him to use a private and furnished office in their building. We appreciate them so much! It’s a beautiful example of God’s continued provisions in our lives.
Our ministry continues to be supported through tax-exempt donations. Our counseling ministry is offered without charge, dependent upon the love-gifts of those burdened to see others set free and healed, and those who experience healing in our office. We have been able to raise faithful monthly support from brothers and sisters in Christ who share our concern for hurting hearts, but until the base support is sufficient to provide for full-time ministry, Jim is working for the Nebraska Blood Bank in Lincoln, and also for Windstar Tour Lines, in addition to the counseling ministry. We are actively pursuing support so that we can offer counseling on a permanent full-time basis.
We invite you to call or email our office! If you would like more information about a confidential, restorative week of Biblical counseling or coaching, please contact us. If you would like to discuss a visit to your church or community, we would be honored to talk with you about that also. Our ministry is dedicated to serving the Lord Jesus Christ as He provides opportunities to us. It is our desire to build up the Church of Jesus Christ, one family at a time, through the redemption of each person as a result of the power and love of the Spirit of God. This walk, hand-in-hand with the Lord Jesus, is exciting beyond expression!
Kathy Hitch, for Simple Grace Ministries