Grace Harbor Counseling Ministries hopes the following testimonies encourage you to not lose hope or faith in Christ and His Gospel. The comments on this page are from people that Grace Harbor has helped or from organization representatives that we have partnered with. If we could help you in similar ways, that would be our privilege and joy.
Read a Pastor’s response regarding the counseling of one of his members: One Family’s Struggle
When Erin and I had our premarital counseling with you 3 years ago, you told us about relational debts and forgiveness. How we should not only say we are sorry, but ask for forgiveness as well. That really did not sink in until last night’s meeting with our parents. After almost 3 years of marriage, we say we are sorry and even ask for forgiveness, but it does not have near the effect as what it did last night. For 3 years Erin and I have responded in negative ways, just as on the sheet you gave us. We ALWAYS respond with our own explanation, and after back and forth and defense after defense, we may get around to the “I’m sorry’s” but it really doesn’t mean anything after showering them with defensive statements.
What I realized last night was that in humility we need to not just put our defensive explanation in the back of your mind, but throw it out the window. In humility I need to forget that I have a reason for my actions, and accept that I offended the person and offer my regrets and ask for forgiveness. Much like Erin did, when she said it was her pride that wanted her to explain or dig deeper into one of the issues. So if we want to act as Christ, we must forget that we have a reason for our actions, or forget trying to convince the other that we were justified, and just let it go. The focus needs to be on the offense itself, and not the reason or explanation of the offense. After 3 years, that sheet of paper and your actual coaching us through it really made all the difference in the world.
Thanks for your patience and hard work, it has been really helpful not just in our relationship with my parents, but in our marriage. We are challenged every time we meet with you no matter what the subject is we meet about. We always get something out of what you say that we want to apply toward our marriage. My only prayer is that the Lord is gracious enough not to let me stumble and mess up big time. We were so close to quitting early on in our marriage. Like you said last night, no one is safe from the worst outcome in marriage. I pray the Lord will protect me from that.
- Ben Cunningham
When I first came to Grace Harbor, I was having several problems with relationships, especially my relationship with my wife. These problems had existed for years, but nothing I had tried before had resolved them. I wasn’t sure whether the problems were caused by physical, emotional or spiritual issues, but I suspected that a spiritual problem was a significant factor. My pastor recommended that I call Jon Hagen at Grace Harbor. Jon helped me to see that I had not taken the role that God had designed for me as a man, husband, and father. Jon has incredible insight into scripture and how it applies to everyday situations and relationships. He was gentle and encouraging as he guided me to see some things in new ways. We often talked about the work of Jesus on the cross and what it means to us in our daily lives. He recommended several excellent books that helped to illuminate my problems and provided solutions. Working with Jon inspired me to make changes in how I viewed my roles and responsibilities and how to deal with difficult issues in my relationships. I am better equipped to implement God’s guidance for my life. Jon has encouraged me to work within the structure of my church to continue my progress. Grace Harbor is truly an important part of God’s healing hand in our community. I thank God for Jon and Grace Harbor.
- Ron Harris
As for me…do you remember in my counseling….I sort of had this death wish…..that life was flat? The Lord has been opening my eyes. I have repented and the Lord has done wonderful things in my life. He has opened my blind eyes to even more of his glorious truth and grace. Jon, your counseling sessions were so good for me and the ones we had with my children. I am slow to understand but I remember many things that you counseled me on…..it might have taken awhile but the Lord used Grace Harbor and you to bring me up out of yet another ‘pit’ of darkness and confusion of sin that enslaved me. I know that the Lord is bestowing His grace on me. YOU were the one that taught me the true meaning of Grace and for that I will always be thankful that God used you to do that for me! Thanks for all the work you do in behalf of counseling others for the Glory of God.
- Judy Blanton
“Grace Harbor Ministries is aptly named. In this safe harbor, God’s mercifully-saving and powerfully-sustaining grace are proclaimed and taught in a useful, fruit-bearing way. God’s grace, courage, and strength have come to me through the counsel of Jon Hagen to preach the gospel to myself and to live in the joy of God’s salvation. The answers to your questions are found in the cross of Jesus.”
- Betty Dodge
“Jon Hagen and Grace Harbor Ministries have been God’s means of help to me during this time of great need in my life. Through counseling times at Grace Harbor I began to see the path of God again. I was gently led back to God’s word and the salvation, repentance, and tender mercies that are daily mine in Christ Jesus. When, in my sorrow, I wanted to pull away, I was given wise counsel to stay under the protective authority of my local church and to remain connected to the family of God. This counsel has proved to be crucial to my walk with the Lord.”
“Jon Hagen and Grace Harbor have equipped me from the resources of God’s word to be able to face my trials and go through them with a heart willing to learn of God and confident in His love for me and my husband. It is hope that I’ve been given—renewed hope in God, deeper trust in His word, and thankfulness for sound counsel through His faithful servant.”
“I am very thankful to our great and wise God for allowing me to see GHCM for Christian counseling. [My counselor] has such a sensitive, compassionate, and humble nature that I was able to hear God’s truth spoken in love. He is not out to make people feel better about themselves but to understand who God is, who we are in relationship to Him, and how we need to be living our lives. I was so bound up with fear and guilt and wasn’t able to accept God’s forgiveness and walk in grace. GHCM helped me to understand that my real bondage was to legalism, condemnation, and emotional thinking. Praise God for the freedom that I am now experiencing!”
- Sandy Scaringi
