A New Chapter: From Pastor to Professional Counselor

In September of 2022, I began a new and unexpected journey—one that would stretch me, grow me, and ultimately prepare me for a broader calling. After three decades in full-time pastoral ministry and 17 years leading Clearpoint Church, I enrolled in a Master’s program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

And as of August 1, 2025, I’m proud to say: I am officially a graduate!

(Read more here).

This milestone is more than a personal achievement—it’s the beginning of a new chapter. I now set my eyes on the next step: preparing for the National Counselor’s Exam (NCE) in pursuit of becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate in the State of Texas.

Why counseling? Why now?

At a young age, I felt a deep calling to be a helper. That calling has defined my life and vocation in pastoral ministry. But in this new season, that same calling has taken on a broader, more holistic expression: to walk with people not only through spiritual transformation but through emotional healing and mental wellness as well.

This journey has been shaped by three driving convictions:

1. Mental Health Needs Are Growing

As a pastor, I see it daily. Anxiety. Trauma. Depression. Marital strain. Emotional exhaustion. These are not just issues “out there”—they’re realities in the lives of people in our neighborhoods, our leadership teams, and in our congregations. And while prayer, faith, and community are powerful and essential, some wounds require clinical care alongside spiritual support. By becoming a licensed therapist, I can expand my reach, deepen my effectiveness, and more skillfully respond to the complex needs of people in pain.

2. Men Need Men

In today’s counseling landscape, male therapists are few and far between. Yet countless men are silently battling deep emotional struggles—shame, addiction, trauma, father wounds—and many simply don’t feel safe or understood enough to speak.I want to change that. I want to step into that gap, not as a fixer, but as a fellow traveler, walking with men toward wholeness, freedom, and purpose. Sometimes, a man just needs another man to say, “You’re not crazy, you’re not alone, and there is hope.”

3. I Want My Life to Continue Making a Difference

As seasons shift, so does calling. And for me, stepping into professional counseling is a way to ensure that the second half of my life continues to be marked by purpose. Helping the overwhelmed overcome. Helping the hurting heal. Helping the stuck move forward. It’s more than a new career—it’s an extension of a lifelong mission.

But this journey isn’t just theoretical. It’s personal. There are two experiences that have marked me deeply, and motivated this shift in my life:

Childhood Trauma

Like so many others, I experienced trauma as a child—pain that lingered for years, even into adulthood. It affected my identity, my relationships, and my sense of safety in the world. Counseling has played a key role in my own pursuit of healing, and now I feel called to offer that same gift to others: to help people identify their pain, face their story, and find a path toward peace.

My Wife’s Courageous "Jump"

Perhaps my greatest inspiration has been watching my wife live out her calling with boldness and impact. In 2017, after 17 years in education, she left her career to start a counseling practice (Clearhope Counseling & Wellness Center). The past 8 years, her work—and the work of the amazing team around her—has helped thousands of individuals and hundreds of families experience healing, restoration, and hope. It’s a movement I believe in and want to be part of.

A Pastoral Lens on Mental Health

In my 30+ years of ministry, I’ve always believed in growing—both in wisdom and in skill. That’s why I’ve taken intentional steps to develop clinical knowledge, counseling techniques, and trauma-informed care practices.

At Clearpoint Church, we’ve worked hard to normalize mental health care, shattering stigmas and inviting people into a journey of spiritual and emotional wellness. I’ve seen the fruit firsthand. And now, I actively advocate for mental health among fellow pastors and ministry leaders in our community, because we cannot fully shepherd souls if we are neglecting minds.

Looking Ahead

I will faithfully continue my work and calling as a pastor. But I also feel the pull toward a new frontier—stepping into the arena of professional counselors who are committed to walking with people through life’s darkest valleys and into the light.

My desire is simple but strong:

To help people live whole—spirit, soul, and body. To join hurting men in the trenches and walk with them toward victory. To be a voice of hope. A witness of healing. A guide toward transformation.

The work ahead is great, but my heart is ready.

And I’m just getting started.