History
In 2007, Wellspring Christian Counseling became the name of the ministry formerly known as the Center for Biblical Counseling and Education (CBC&E). This name-change coincided with other pivotal changes including leadership and a fine-tuning of the ministry's direction.
CBC&E was formed in 1987 when an Associate Pastor of the Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church (PCA) in St. Louis, Dr. Howard Eyrich, recognized the need for gifted, competent individuals to minister in a special way to hurting people. Dr. Eyrich and the Kirk Senior Pastor, Dr. Wilson Benton, entered into a partnership that resulted in the formation of the CBC&E and Dr. Eyrich became its first counselor. Pastors and elders from various St. Louis area churches, sharing the vision for a local counseling ministry, came together to form the first CBC&E Board of Directors. Since that time, CBC&E has prospered and matured and has grown in the number of counselors and types of services offered.
Structure
Wellspring operates as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation in the state of Missouri. This status enables it to serve many denominations and persons at various stages in their faith journey. Wellspring employs gifted individuals from diverse Christian affiliations and life experiences to be able to minister to a wide range of individuals.
The Kirk of the Hills, through its board of elders called the Session, oversees Wellspring by approving the Board of Directors. The Board in turn guides and monitors the vision, mission, philosophy, and operations of the ministry. An executive leadership team composed of three persons directs all aspects of the ministry and reports to the Board of Directors. The team includes David Holden (Wellspring's Practice Director) and two senior staff persons at the Kirk of the Hills: Rev. Michael Kennison, Minister of Congregational Care, and Phil VanValkenburg, Executive Director of Administration.
The main office of Wellspring located in Creve Coeur provides counseling space and houses the administrative functions of the ministry. In addition, Wellspring serves the wider community through site partnerships with several churches in the St. Louis, Jefferson County and St. Charles area. While these churches represent several different denominations, they share the common bond of a strong commitment to professional Christian counseling and mediation.
Healing Hearts • Restoring Relationships • Liberating Lives