Scripture Says

“Those who love violence, He hates with a passion,” says Psalm 11:5. The quintessential scripture pertaining to our treatment of others is found in Jesus’ parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-26. While we sometimes see this as merely providing benevolent assistance to those in need, this can also mean putting an end to the physical, sexual, and mental abuse that perpetuates in our society. The philosophy of “live and let live” is simply not an option.

“We must stop abuse. Although we don’t like to admit it, it happens regularly even within our own churches and families,” says Buford Griffith II, Southwestern Union Executive Secretary and Family Ministries Director. For that reason, the Family, Women’s, and Children’s Ministries Departments of the Southwestern Union recently hosted its first “Stop the Hurt: Summit on Abuse,” bringing together leaders from across the North American Division to study and discuss this important topic.

The summit educated, informed, and increased awareness regarding the abuse that occurs in our communities and churches. Ministry leaders were equipped with resources and referral information for anyone impacted by abuse of any kind in every state in the Southwestern Union. The topics discussed included examples of abuse in the Bible, addictions, abuse of intimate partners, child abuse, the response of the faith community to abuse, and debunking scriptural support for abusive relationships. If you or someone you know is in need of counseling, consider contacting an Christian counselor near you. The following is a sampling of Adventist counselors. Please contact the Southwestern Union Conference Family Ministries department with your information if you are a licensed counselor or if you are in need of a referral. For information and resources visit SouthwesternAdventist.org/Families or call 817.295.0476.

Adventist Counselors:

Kristina Hicks, LPC

Burns-Lilly Associates

1011 Granbury St.

Cleburne, TX 76033

817.645.3328

Cheryl Foster, MSSW, LCSW, LPC

BrightStar Counseling and Evaluation Center

3901 Airport Freeway Suite 230

Bedford, Texas 76021

682.305.7810

Michal Anne Whitcomb, M.A., LPC

The Marriage & Family Group PLLC

5646 Milton St. Suite 440

Dallas, Texas 75206

214.613.1656

Barbara Moore, M.S., LPC

Moore Restored, Inc.

4200 Perimeter Center Drive, Suite 245

Oklahoma City, OK 73112

405.506.7447

Kris Bryant, M.A., LPC

Counseling & Life Coaching

5100 N. Brookline Ave., Suite 330

Oklahoma City, OK 73112

405.234.5522