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SCHOOLS OF COUNSELING & PSYCHOLOGY

Ben Adamson
Ben Adamson

Ben Adamson trusts God’s timing. He’s studying counseling at Richmont, knowing he wants to be a therapist, but he remains uncertain as to how God will use his degree in the future. This Georgia Bulldog just knows he’s moving toward God, and that’s good enough for him.

Kevin Morton
Kevin Morton

After building a successful career in the commercial food industry, Kevin Morton had lost his passion for sales. But his desire to serve God’s people was growing; every time God opened a door for him to minister at the church, his excitement grew. Kevin became a musician, a worship leader, and an elder. When God allowed him to enter Richmont’s School of Counseling, his mission became clear: “God has sent me to Richmont to help people find the path to healing.”

Blake Feagans
Blake Feagans

Blake has always loved working with adolescents. His own teenage years proved particularly difficult, and he has channeled those challenges into an intense desire to help young people as they begin to navigate the world differently than ever before. Blake is currently interning at Lee University, an opportunity that has allowed him to work closely with his favorite demographic. Richmont, he says, is showing him how to “be that kind of healer who works with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jarrod Justice
Jarrod Justice

Counseling wasn’t on Jarrod’s radar. An International Studies major at Baylor University, he imagined a life of missions with his family by his side. But after several years in full-time ministry, Jarrod began to notice that the health of a church congregation is largely dependent on the health of the marriages represented inside it. As God stirred a passion for marital restoration and improvement within Jarrod he knew Richmont was the next right step.

Lisa Haselwander
Lisa Haselwander

Lisa knows about bottom lines and getting positive results. Spending the majority of her career in accounting for a laboratory company she was “accustomed to being in control.” However, after a series of unanticipated events, Lisa fell into a dark period of confusion and anger. As God worked in Lisa’s heart, she began to feel a call to begin afresh with a second career, one in mental health and relational healing. Starting her second semester at Richmont, Lisa has seen how real change takes place when people realize the Lord’s love for them.

Meshai Dixon-Olivares
Meshai Dixon-Olivares

Meshai never thought she would pursue a master’s degree in counseling. She was enjoying her work at a shelter for victims of domestic abuse, empowering women from all over the world to live stronger, more competent lives. So when God began whispering to her about shifting gears, she did not feel ready to take the leap of faith into graduate school. When she simply could not get counseling out of her mind she headed straight to Richmont. Today, she is pursuing a Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy with an additional certification in Christian Sex Therapy.

Vincent Poole
Vincent Poole

He’s opened for The Temptations, performed on Broadway, worked at the American Bible Society, built a successful career in advertising, and opened a pediatric care office with his wife – what hasn’t Vincent Poole done? Pursing a graduate degree in Professional Counseling is not just another feather in Vincent’s cap; rather, it is a direct and purposeful compliment to his work as a Practice Manager. Thanks to Richmont, he is looking forward to offering a full slate of Christian care to children and adolescents.

Reuben Lawrence
Reuben Lawrence

The son of an international evangelist and the grandson of a pastor, Reuben’s introduction to adolescent ministry began in New York City as a college freshman. After 25 years working in communities, churches, faith-based and civic organizations, Reuben and his wife are both working professionals and students at Richmont!

Nathan Harris
Nathan Harris

Deciding to be a counselor was a natural decision for Nathan. When the 3+2 partnership was developed allowing him to finish his bachelor’s and master’s in five years, Nathan seized the opportunity. A current Professional Counseling student at Richmont, Nathan is specializing in trauma in order to help individuals and families be in health.

JENNA RIEMERSMA

Read about Jenna’s dream to establish a faith-based center of clinical excellence in Atlanta that will provide comprehensive services to individuals and couples whose lives have been impacted by sexual brokenness.

JOHN MCGLOTHIN

Read about how John’s childhood as a missionary kid and his parent’s example of life-long marriage were catalysts for pursuing a counseling degree.

SYLVAIN PANU

Read about how a summer working at WinShape Marriage helped Sylvain realize he wants to be a part of healing marriages, families and building people.

KELLIE KENT

Read about how Kellie pursued her childhood dream of becoming a nurse before being called to Richmont.

POLLY CLARK

Read about Polly’s Richmont journey and her calling to help people in fighting the battle for their minds and hearts.

HERB LEA

Read about how Herb is pursuing his fourth career and why he is thrilled at the prospect of helping men experience healing by encountering God through meditation and contemplative prayer.

SCHOOL OF MINISTRY

Tony Nolan
Tony Nolan

Tony Nolan was born in a mental institution in Macclenny, Florida, to a homeless prostitute. The foster care system and his own adoptive father brought no relief to his broken heart. But God had a plan for Tony that this terrifying childhood could not quell. Today Tony ministers to packed-out arenas at concerts and is pursuing an M.A. in Ministry from Richmont. “My mission is to keep an ear pressed against the chest of God,” says Tony, “and to live my life in the rhythm of that beat.”

Mary Beth Hough
Mary Beth Hough

Mary Beth is confidently adventurous: she’s willing to learn things that topple her assumptions, ready to take on myriad professional experiences, and she even welcomes the fact that life after graduation is “a blank canvas” for now. She draws strength from the knowledge that God is at helm of her life, directing everything in a way she can ultimately trust. While she hasn’t been without fear, she’s desperate for others to encounter the God she knows – the God who loves, teaches, and laughs with her.

Benita Harris
Benita Harris

Benita’s heart is full of compassion. Using her nursing degree to care for bodies, and her studies in ministry at Richmont to care for souls, Benita sees the world as a mission field. She had spent 35 years as a nurse when she heard God call her heart toward full-time ministry. “I thought it was a wrong number, so I hung up for several years!” she jokes. Currently serving as full-time pastor of Asbury United Methodist in Salisbury, Maryland, Benita is grateful for how the Lord is using Richmont to enrich her ministry.

Priscilla Morgan

After playing college basketball for a hall of fame coach, Priscilla suddenly found herself facing life as a single parent. Scared, alone and feeling ashamed, she turned to her friends for support. Today, after hearing the Lord’s call on her life to minister to hurting women, she enrolled in Richmont’s School of Ministry. Helping women understand the character of Christ and how he loves us despite our mistakes is her passion.

Priscilla Morgan
BRIAN BARTON

With a calling to the pastorate on his life, there simply seemed to be too many issues prohibiting Brian from pursuing formalized, non-seminary ministry training. Where was the right place to take classes? How would he afford it? Did he really have time to study? Were a few of the questions running through Brian’s mind. A recent graduate of Richmont’s School of Ministry, Brian took a new job in ministry and is grateful to have found a ministry program that follows through on its promises.

Brian Barton
FREDDYE JAMES

Freddye had a thriving career as an Environmental Chemist when she realized she was doing just as much encouraging and listening to the problems and concerns of co-workers as she was analytical chemistry. Then, very suddenly, Freddye experienced a debilitating illness that forced her to leave her job of 18 years and utilize disability. At Richmont, Freddye found genuine support and went on to complete two master’s degrees!

KENDRA CHRISTIAN

Read about how Kendra started “Sew St. Louis Salon,” the city’s first (and only) total hair weaving salon and how she is referencing her Richmont courses when leading a women’s Bible study at her salon.

RYAN SEE

Read about how Ryan believes the School of Ministry has equipped him with new perspective, tools, and encouragement as he pursues his full potential in Jesus.

MICHELE STROUD

Read about how the School of Ministry has taken Michelle out of her shell and caused her to see the many different types of leaders in the church and outside of the church.

Student Perspectives