Newsletter - March 2009

In this edition of the News Letter a few activities that have taken place since the beginning of 2009 are highlighted. ABCE’s training in Biblical counselling are discussed. The opportunities we create for counselling are pointed out, namely the bridging counselling at Radio Pulpit as well as associate counselling. Any contributions to the New Letter can be sent to Trudie Grobbelaar: bertru@cyberserv.co.za  

TRAINING IN BIBLICAL COUNSELLING

COURSE 1: BIBLICAL COUNSELLING

The first contact session for the Afrikaans group took place on 30 and 31 January at Radio Pulpit in Pretoria. The English group gathered on 6 and 7 February. 80 students enrolled. Those differ with regards to age, place of residence, language and ministry. All expressed the desire to experience fundamental change and to facilitate change in others. The second contact session took place on 21 March and was well attended. The students told how God touched them by the learning material. The contact sessions were facilitated by Vorster Combrink and Johan Eloff.

It has become clear that marketing of the courses was most effectively done by students who tell others how they personally benefit from those. Broadcasting by Radio is also very effective, and for 2009 the courses were marketed on Radio Pulpit, RSG, Radio Helderberg and Radio Tygerberg. We also send e-mails to many congregations.

Afrikaans contact session: 30-31 January

Afrikaans contact session: 30-31 January

English contact session: 6-7 February

Some students at the Afrikaans contact session on 21 March

Some of the students who attended the English contact session on 21 March

Two happy students at the English contact session on 21 March

Johan Eloff (study leader) facilitated the Afrikaans contact session on 21 March

The students are assisted by assessors. The following people are involved: Lenie Erasmus, Marietjie Bezuidenhoud, Sabina Vilakazi, Makkie Sequiera, Lorna Kent, Louis van Wyk, Herman Coetser, Trudie Grobbelaar, Theresa van Vreden, Henriëtta Klaasing & Lettie Hauptfleisch.

COURSE 2: PRACTISE OF BIBLICAL COUNSELLING

10 students enrolled and the course. During 16 work days (112 hours) the following will be covered: one to one counselling and reflection by the group; class and home counselling assignments; assessment of fellow students; preparation at home and discussion of prescribed books in class; telephone & e-mail counselling and reflection; journaling of the learning experience. The study leader is Vorster Combrink. Ferdie Botha and Kobus Roux will act as facilitators during the first six months.

Course 2-students 2009

Ferdie Botha (counsellor)
in conversation with Anjo Fourie (counsellee)

Counselling can be fun too
Annette Steenkamp, Eric Mougouboulou (counsellee),
Jan Lebogo (counsellor), Cobie Steyn, Ria Swanepoel

Counselling session
Abel Steyn, Anjo Fourie, Eric Orr, David Makoena (counsellee),
Loumie Theron (counsellor), Ferdie Botha

COURSES 3 & 4

This year there was not enough interest in Course 3 (Advanced Practice of Biblical Counselling) and Course 4 (Biblical Mentoring). There will again be an opportunity to enrol for these courses in 2010.

CERTIFICATE CEREMONY

On the 20th of February we celebrated. We thanked the Lord for the students who have been equipped as God’s instruments for change; the Biblical character of the courses; a constant flow of students (2007:100; 2008: 82; 2009:90); able and committed trainers and assessors; quality administration and financial management.

Some of those who completed Course 1

Lenie Erasmus who was the guest speaker at the ceremony

EX STUDENTS

Gauteng

On 28 February ABCE ex students. Associates and bridging counsellors gathered at Radio Pulpit. Training was given on “Balanced biblical help for people under the influence of evil forces”. The guest speaker was FH Havinga and those present benefit a lot.

The next training session will be on 16 May. Alan Lester from Grace Fellowship will give training on: “Biblical counselling to people with sexual addictions”.

FH Havinga, guest on 28 February

A few ex students 28 February

A few bridging counsellors who attended on 28 February

Western Cape

Ex students in the Western Cape gathered on 28 February. René Roos gave training on counselling people with addictions. She stressed that counsellors should understand the roots of an addiction and not simply focus on behaviour. The counsellor must speak the truth in love. People with addictions need proper assistance. The book of Ed Welch: “Addictions – a Banquet in the Grave” was strongly recommended.

Those present also had an opportunity to encourage each other. The following dates were fixed for next gatherings: 16 May (a Christian Psychiatrist will be invited); 1 August; 11-13 September: Spring School (Gauteng); 30 September; 1 November: Camp.

The contact person for ex students in the Western Cape is Theresa van Vreden: E-mail: theresavv@telkomsa.net; cell: 083 310 3823.

STUDY FUND

Sometimes students experience financial difficulties. ABCE founded a Study Fund to assist those students. Ex students who want to contribute, can contact Marietjie at the office.

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR COUNSELLING

• Associate Counselling

  Many alumni already registered as ABCE Associate Counsellors and you are again invited to take the matter in consideration and register. Being an associate counsellor enables you to have a counselling ministry in association with ABCE. Once you register you are introduced on the ABCE website and your name can be added to Radio Pulpit’s reference list on request. The ABCE office in Randburg as well as bridging counsellors at Radio Pulpit give preference to associate counsellors when referring people for one-on-one counselling. Contact Marietjie at the office for registration forms: 011 886 7414.

• Bridging counselling at Radio Pulpit

  ABCE is contracted to do 24/7 bridging counselling (telephone, e-mail, letters) with the clients of Radio Pulpit. On a monthly basis approximately 1200 phone calls, 1000 prayer requests, 400 e-mails, 80 letters and some one-on-one conversations are handled by the 34 contracted counsellors and prayer groups. Most of the bridging counsellors at Radio Pulpit have completed one or more of ABCE’s courses.
  
  There are two ways that alumni can also become involved and assist with the counselling service:

  1.     Should you be available in the area where you stay, you can apply to have your name added to the Radio Pulpit reference list. When a person, staying in your area, calls the Radio Pulpit counselling service, they may be referred to you.

  2.     You can apply to be become a bridging counsellor and assist with answering phone calls, e-mail and letters. Please contact Nicolien at 012 334 1285 or send an e-mail to counselling@radiokansel.co.za.

IN CONCLUSION

On the cross Jesus Christ completed the work his Father commissioned Him to do (John 19:30). In the place of true believers He fulfilled the law; brought a perfect offering; paid the debt completely; and broke the power of sin, satan and death. His completed work is the source of our life. As his ambassadors we minister Jesus Christ and the new life in Him in counselling people.