SOUL CARE
Soul Care for Ministry Leaders
When ministry leaders neglect care for their own soul, endurance and compassion suffer. We cannot pour from an empty cup. At OakHaven, we offer gospel-shaped care for weary leaders—so you can be restored, strengthened in Christ, and continue serving others with joy, wisdom, and integrity.
Note: While our counseling and soul care services are reserved for pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders, we’re glad to serve the broader church through our blog. Whether you’re in formal ministry or simply seeking gospel encouragement, we pray our resources will help you walk faithfully with Christ.
Our Approach to Biblical Counseling
Our counseling is rooted in Scripture, centered on Christ, and shaped by the real struggles of ministry life.
We offer short-term, personal discipleship through sin or suffering in intensive formats: 2-hour sessions over 4–6 weeks (ideal for sabbaticals or furloughs) or 2–3-day retreats. Assignments between sessions further help integrate change into daily life.
A support partner from your church is encouraged for accountability, care, and continued growth beyond the intensive.
Please note on your inquiry form if you prefer a less intensive format (spaces are limited).
Our Approach to Spiritual Direction
While biblical counseling provides care for your soul in particular areas of suffering or struggle, spiritual direction seeks to care for your soul by helping you pay attention to God in your everyday experience. We believe God is present and active in the lives of those who know him, and he uses all that we face as part of his good work of forming our hearts into the likeness of Christ.
Sessions are typically 50 minutes, once a month (or more frequently during sabbaticals), in person or over Zoom. A session consists primarily of listening deeply to whatever you want to process, and together paying attention for how God might be directing you through his Spirit. The goal is for you to see how God is at work in your everyday experience of life, and to allow him to minister to your soul in whatever ways he knows you need.
“After being on the field for several years, I started to want to go back to my passport country. I felt like I was drained of the zeal and purpose I had in the first few years. I had a chance to meet in person over multiple sessions with Vera to process some of my emotions. She listened to me unload about a dozen hours of my "burdens" without judging me. I'm so grateful for her and for her gentle reminders and prayers for me. I know that these fruits would not be possible if the Lord had not used OakHaven to prune me."
— Tent-maker in East Asia
Cost
We will work with you, and with your church, to ensure that you are able to receive the care you need and that finances do not keep you from receiving care.
Individual biblical counseling: $75/hour
Marriage counseling: $125/hour
Intensive counseling retreats: [please inquire]
Spiritual direction: $60/session
Please Note:
OakHaven offers pastoral, discipleship-focused care through biblical counseling and spiritual direction. We are not licensed therapists and do not provide clinical mental health services. Insurance cannot be billed. If your needs require licensed care, we’re happy to help you find trusted Christian counselors in your area.
🌿 Getting Started with Soul Care
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Getting a sense of what you need helps tremendously to guide us in discerning how we might best care for you. For that reason, we have written some resources on our blog to help you start figuring things out. Each contains some preliminary questions to help you clarify what kind of help you need.
These short reflections can help you slow down, listen to your heart, and begin naming the burdens you carry.
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Our confidential interest form lets us know where you’re at and how we might serve you, even if you’re not quite sure yet.
In the Comments section of your interest form, please share a brief description of your concerns or needs. You may also indicate if you are interested in receiving counseling during your sabbatical or furlough. Thank you!
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We’ll follow up to schedule a conversation, listen to your needs, and discern the best next step together.
If we proceed, we’ll suggest a plan for a short-term intensive or a one-time spiritual direction session to begin, and then send additional forms or information if needed.