General Information
Counseling Philosophy

We are convinced that the Bible contains the answers for all of the moral, spiritual, and relational challenges you face in life. In other words, God has answers specific to you and your situation.

Whether you are seeking help as an individual, couple, or family, the Scriptures address your circumstances. Using God's Word as our authority for instruction, we help people of all ages who are dealing with anger, fear, inferiority, guilt, worry, abuse, eating disorders, broken marriages, parenting, depression, or forgiveness. Our purpose is to correct sinful thinking, motives, and behavior.

As Christians, God wants us to be actively growing. This means we need to be learning how God wants us to think about and respond to everything we have to deal with in life. Only biblical counseling (also known as nouthetic counseling) can help you in this process, ultimately glorifying God and bringing you victory and His peace, joy, and contentment.
 
Counseling History

Dr. Thomas Zempel left a successful pastoral ministry in Connecticut in 1994 to join the staff of Central Seminary as Assistant to the President. In addition to his administrative duties he began the process of developing a biblical counseling program for the seminary. Dr. Zempel's love for helping people address their problems biblically began at Pillsbury College where in addition to teaching he served as dean of men. His desire to help people lead him to Westminster Theological Seminary where he earned his Doctor of Ministry Degree in Biblical Counseling.

By 1996 Dr. Zempel's efforts enabled Central Seminary to offer a Master of Arts degree in Biblical Counseling. The first graduate walked the aisle in 1998. Since then over 50 students have graduated with a Biblical Counseling Degree and several others have enrolled in the MABC program.  Several of the MABC students have gone on to get their MDiv. Degree and are now serving as pastors, missionaries and lay-counselors globally.

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Counseling Method

Our counselors are committed Christians who have compassion for others and a desire to help people where they are in life. As we counsel we want you to see and experience the concern we have for you. You will be afforded the highest degree of respect.Counseling

As we listen to you share with us your situation and concerns, we will make every attempt to understand the challenges you are facing so we can help you. We want to share with you the wonderful hope you can have by knowing that God cares for you and that He has provided answers for you in His Word. You are not alone, regardless of how you may feel. Many others have faced what you face and have found victory through Christ.

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Counseling Appointments

Appointments can be made by calling the Biblical Counseling center at 763-417-8250 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Counseling is done by appointment only. Most sessions are scheduled for Mondays and last 55 minutes.

We do not charge a fee for our counseling services. The Biblical Counseling Center is a non-profit ministry of Central Baptist Theological Seminary. Our desire is to help you. A minimal donation of $30.00 is suggested for each counseling session but no one will be turned away if this presents a problem.

We ask for you to be open and honest, faithful in keeping your appointments, and willing to change. In return, you will find us caring, respectful, and confident that God has answers for you.
 
Counseling Staff
Thomas ZempelTom Zempel, B.S., M.Div., D.Min.
Tom has served for 20 years in the pastorate and 15 years in the academic community. Much of his 35 years of experience have been spent counseling and helping others. Tom is the founder of the biblical counseling program at Central Seminary and the Chairman of our counseling department.

Jim Juvinall

Jim Juvinall, B.S., M.Div., D.Min.
Jim has 20 years experience in the business world as teacher and administrator. He also has 14 years of ministry experience as a pastor and biblical counselor. Jim is an adjunct for our counseling program.
MMark Stuckeyark Stuckey, M.D., Anesthesiology
Mark has been a practicing physician for over 40 years. He is a member of Fourth Baptist Church and has served on the seminary board for several years. He is an adjunct for our counseling program, teaching in the area of counseling and physiology.