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One Gospel, Many Nations

Encouragements from the Biblical Counseling Summit

By: Tim St. John

Two weeks ago, Lighthouse sent a team to join leaders from around the world for the Biblical Counseling Coalition Global Summit. With roughly 140 attendees, we enjoyed an intimate gathering where pastors, counselors, and ministry leaders came together to learn, share, and encourage one another. It was hosted in the beautiful, chilly redwood forest of Mount Hermon in Santa Cruz, where Christmas lights warmed the pathways and good coffee fueled conversations stretching long into the night.

 

What stood out most was not the setting, though it was breathtaking, but the people. Every person in that room made a sacrifice to be there. Not only did everyone leave their families during a precious stretch of the holiday season, but many traveled across oceans on multi-leg journeys from Australia, India, New Zealand, Jordan, Sweden, Scotland, Mexico, Japan, Brazil, Kenya, South Africa, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Their presence testified to a shared love: seeing God’s Word equip the church around the world.

 

Throughout the week, we heard stories of profound challenges: persecution, suffering, cultural pressures, and personal trials. Yet woven through every testimony was the unmistakable grace of God. His Word is truly bearing fruit in every corner of the globe. What unites us is not geography, methodology, or preference. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ and the assurance that His Word brings life.



Fellowship with Friends:

One special blessing of our time together was spending time with our friends from Logos Community Church in Nagoya and other Japanese biblical counseling leaders. It was a grace to catch up, weep together, dream together, pray together, and have fun making memories in the beauty of God’s creation.

Blessings from Speakers:

Seven speakers from around the globe walked us through the truth of the gospel and the power of Scripture that anchors our hope in every context. Kyle Johnston from South Africa helped us remember from Genesis 1 that God’s Word does not merely inform, it creates, sustains, and gives life. His Word brings order to chaos, dignity to the broken, and hope for eternity. 

Steve Midgley from England preached from Matthew 17:1-9 on the Transfiguration and helped us remember that Biblical counseling is, at its heart, helping people encounter Christ Himself. Before solving problems, we bring weary hearts to the Savior who touches His disciples and whispers, “Rise, and have no fear.” 

Our very own Pastor Kim spoke from 2 Corinthians 4:1-12 on “the Sufficiency of Scripture” and helped us see that Scripture is sufficient because Christ is sufficient. Our weakness is not an obstacle to ministry; it is the backdrop that magnifies the power of Christ.

Challenges and Joys in Biblical Counseling Around the World:

From the conversations, testimonies, and late-night prayer times, a number of urgent needs emerged. These weren’t abstract or theoretical, they were personal, often spoken with tears.

  • Persecution among believers (South Asia & Middle East) Some regions reported overwhelming pressure on pastors and churches, including large numbers of arrests this year. Many leaders described constant fear, pastors being dragged from their pulpits and beaten, and the emotional toll of serving under surveillance or threat. Yet, these same leaders spoke of underground biblical counseling ministries, Scripture memorization and meditation groups, and pastors boldly preaching Christ.

 

  • Churches overwhelmed by suffering (Africa & South America) Leaders described needs involving addiction, domestic abuse, violence, financial crisis, broken homes, and community instability. Churches often feel outnumbered by need. Yet, biblical counseling training centers are taking root, churches are collaborating, and leaders are being equipped to shepherd through Scripture.

 

  • Pastors and workers discouraged, exhausted, or hurting (global). This theme was universal, discouragement in ministry, battles with inadequacy, and seasons of personal suffering. Many asked for prayer to remain faithful in difficult contexts.

Despite the hard stories, the summit was filled with evidence of God’s unmistakable grace:

1. Churches embracing counseling as discipleship. Many churches shared how counseling is moving from being a “specialized ministry” to a “whole-church culture.” Small groups, elders, youth leaders, and lay members are being equipped to counsel each other with the Word.

 

2. Unity across continents and cultures. The gospel seed produces fruit everywhere, with different accents, expressions, and needs, yet rooted in one message. There was a deep sense of family across languages and nations.

 

3. Suffering produces steadfastness. In regions facing persecution or poverty, believers spoke of a joy and resilience that stunned the room. Suffering was not destroying them; it was deepening their dependence on Christ.

 

Every leader, from every continent, expressed the same desire: to help people encounter Christ Himself through counseling God’s word. Biblical counseling is not just solutions, not just techniques, not just principles, but helping hearts to be centered on Christ.

How You can Pray:

At Lighthouse, we can partner in this global work right now through prayer. Here are ways you can pray this week:

  • Pray for Global Workers

Pray for pastors and counselors in regions facing persecution and government pressure.

Pray for protection, courage, and deep joy in Christ.

  • Pray for Training Efforts

Ask God to strengthen biblical counseling training especially in Japan and Mexico (Lighthouse’s target countries), and that we would wisely build partnerships, send workers, and support ongoing efforts.

Pray for faithful teachers, translators, and resources.

  • Pray for Unity

Pray that churches worldwide build bridges, not barriers, loving one another across cultures, differences, and secondary issues.

  • Pray for Faithfulness in Weakness

Pray that global leaders, and our own church, would rest in the sufficiency of Christ and His Word.

Pray that God would use our weakness to magnify His glory.

The summit left me humbled and filled with hope. God is doing far more around the world than we often see. His Word is sufficient. His gospel is bearing fruit. His people are persevering. And His Son is the same radiant Savior: drawing near, touching the fearful, and saying, “Rise, have no fear.”

May we join this global work with prayer, love, and confidence in the One who is building His church in every nation, tribe, and tongue.