Jerry and Denise Basel, who have been married for over 30 years, co-direct The Father’s Heart Ministry. Both completed Master's Degrees in Christian Coun- seling at Regent (CBN) University in Virginia Beach, with Jerry completing an additional Master's Degree in Theology, and Denise, a Post Master's Certificate with a Biblical Counseling emphasis. They are also certified as Prayer Counsel- ors from the Elijah House School for the Ministry of Christian Counseling. The Basels also hold Master's Degrees in Higher Educa- tion from Michigan State University. Prior to receiving the Lord's call on their lives to pastoral ministry, they both held teaching and administra- tive positions at the college and university level for almost 20 years. Jerry is also an ordained pastor.

Come Away and Find Rest and Healing in the North Georgia Mountains

The Father’s Heart Ministry is a non-profit Christian counseling and training ministry that was established in Atlanta in 1995 to bring  spiritual and emotional healing and restoration to individuals and couples and to equip people to fulfill their God-given calling and destiny. Over the years we have experienced that due to past hurts, many people are often unable to give the love of Father God to others, because they are hindered in receiving it into their own hearts. As a result, they are blocked from fulfilling the greatest command- ments--to "love the Lord with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, to love your neighbor as yourself" (Lk 10:27).     As a result, true and intimate relationship with God and with others does not occur.

We have also experienced that as we allow people more overt opportunities to pursue and obtain greater levels of emotional and spiritual healing, they are naturally drawn to the one true God who makes it possible. As a result, they seek to serve God because of their renewed relationship with Him, not out of a need to perform and earn His love. Thus, they are drawn to extend the Kingdom of God in whatever way is consistent with their gifting and the Lord's calling on their life.

Therefore, the ultimate calling of The Father's Heart Ministry is for individuals to leave the Christian counseling and healing process with a deep, personal awareness of the love of God and a passion for Him and His Son. If healing of emotional pain and presenting problems occurs without this goal being achieved, the ministry has not achieved the calling that God has given it. Thankfully, this is typically not the case.