Burke Care Team

Education & Experience

Donna received her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Elementary Education and Master of Arts (MA) in Educational Supervision from the University of North Texas. Following her teaching career in the Texas public school system, she completed her MA in Christian Counseling at Andersonville Theological Seminary (ATS). Currently Donna has her Advanced Degree Certification from the Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC).

Donna has completed her Certificate of Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) as well as Systemic Theology (ASDP) and Equip to Counsel (ETC) training at the Austin Stone. She has also completed Brief Intensive Counseling (BIC) at Stone Gate Resources in Port Washington, WI and is an apprentice with Twelve Stones Ministries in Helmsburg, IN.

Interests & Specialties

Donna has discipled women with issues related to marriage, divorce, reconciliation, single parenting, remarriage, parenting, blended families as well as depression, anxiety, addictions, church hurts and grief/loss. Her heart’s greatest desire is to see lives transformed by the hope of the gospel.

Personal

In 2000, Donna and her husband, Jim, blended a family and have six adult children and 11 grandchildren. She enjoys reading and being outdoors with neighbors, family and friends.

Education & Experience

Jim is the Director of Certification and Training for the Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC) where he oversees Level 1, Level 2, and Advanced Degree certification as well as the assimilation of students with prior ACBC and Soul Care T5 training.

Jim received his Doctor of Ministry and Master of Ministry in Biblical Counseling from Andersonville Theological Seminary (ATS) and has a Certificate of Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS). Jim hold ABC’s Advanced Degree Certification in Biblical Counseling.

Jim has completed Systematic Theology training at the Austin Stone, Pastoral Discipleship training at The Village Church Denton and ABC’s Equipped to Counsel (ETC) training in several church settings. Additionally, Jim is currently an apprentice with Twelve Stones Ministries.

Interests & Specialties

Jim has discipled men and couples in issues related to marriage, divorce, single parenting, re-marriage, blended families, grief, loss, shame, guilt, depression, anxiety, chruch hurt, addictions, recovery as well as money and priority management.

Personal

In 2000, Jim and Donna married and now have six adult children and 11 grandchildren. He enjoys reading and being outdoors with neighbors, family, and friends.

Education & Experience

Con received his Bachelor of Science (BSc) and his Bachelor of Science Honours (BSc Hons) in Quantity Surveying from the University of Pretoria in South Africa. During his quantity surveying career in South Africa, he completed his Bachelor of Theology Honours (BTh Hons) at the South African Theological Seminary (SATS). Con worked and ministered in the Middle East for more than a year before moving to Shanghai, China where he worked as the Discipleship Director at Shanghai Community Fellowship (SCF) while continuing with his Master of Theology (MTh) at SATS. After 8 years in Shanghai, he relocated to Austin, Texas with his family.

Con is a member of the Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC) and an ABC Level 1 grader. He has completed the Level 1 and the Level 2 Equipped to Counsel (ETC) certification through ABC.

Interests & Specialties

Con has discipled men and couples with issues related to addictions, sexual sin (including pornography), anxiety, guilt, shame, reconciliation, marriage (including premarital), parenting, grief/loss, eating disorders and depression.

Personal

A native South African, Con met and married his Texan wife in Shanghai, China. Following the birth of their twin boys and daughter, they relocated to Austin, Texas to be closer to family. As a recovered addict since 2007, Con has experienced God’s transforming power and care first hand. He enjoys travelling, reading, listening to podcasts, coffee, and spending time with his family and friends.

Education & Experience

Cameron received his Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Arts (MA) in Christian Counseling from Amberton University. Cameron has served in numerous pastoral care roles including nursing home ministry, redemption groups, home group leadership & coaching, pre-marital care and individual and couples care.

Cameron has been counseling since 2011. He is a member of the Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC) and an ABC Level 1 grader. He has completed the Level 2 Equipped to Counsel (ETC) certification. He currently serves as an elder for an Acts 29 church in Texas.

Interests & Specialties

Cameron has discipled men in areas such as addictions (including pornography), depression, anxiety, adoption and foster care issues, grief/loss, issues related to marriage and parenting, and applying the Gospel to the heart and everyday life.

Personal

Cameron and his wife are both native Texans and have 1 daughter. He is passionate about the subject of adoption both theologically and legally. He loves spending time with his family above all, but also enjoys the outdoors and good laughs with friends.

Education and Experience

Deandra received her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sociology from Suny Brockport in Brockport NY and her Masters of Arts (MA) in Christian Counseling Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC in January of 2024. Upon graduating college, Deandra has worked with a non-profit based out of New York State, working with individuals struggling with depression and anxiety. Deandra also serves her church co-leading in women discipleship groups and co-leading women bible studies.

Deandra plans to begin her ABC Advancded Degree certification in the near future.

Interest & Specialities

Deandra desires to walk alongside women who struggle with issues of anxiety/worry, eating disorders, depression and singleness

Personal

Deandra was born and raised by a single mother living in the Bronx of New York City. She is sensitive to those who grew up in a single parent household and have faced the effects of growing up without a father. Deandra is passionate about pointing others to Christ and encouraging others to embrace the tender love and care of our heavenly Father Jesus Christ. She enjoys spending time with friends, reading, and going for walks exploring different neighborhoods in her community.

Education & Experience

Tyler received his Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human Development and Family Studies (with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy) from Texas Tech University. Tyler has served in numerous pastoral care roles including pastoring, student ministry, home group leadership, and premarital care.

Tyler is an Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC) member and an ABC Level 1 mentor. He has completed the Level 1 Equipped to Counsel (ETC) certification. Currently, Tyler is in the process of completing the ABC Level 2 certification.

Interests & Specialties

He has experience working with individuals, leaders, families, churches, and non-profit organizations in pastoral care and counseling for over 15 years. His areas of interest include church leadership, marriage, families, parenting, students and children, and work-related struggles.

Personal

He has been married to Meghan for over 12 years and has two sons, who always keep life interesting. He is originally from Wichita Falls, Texas but has since relocated to Plano, Texas. He loves Texas Tech, baseball, European soccer, and hockey. Counseling is his passion and he loves to help people work through whatever challenges they face. We have the great privilege of getting to reorient and remind others of the truths of the Scriptures.

Education/Experience:

Jen Arend has over 30 years of experience counseling, teaching, and discipling women in the local church. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from California State University at Northridge and an elementary with special education credential from California State University at San Marcos. She is almost finished with her Masters in Counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary (CCEF), Philadelphia, PA.

Interests & Specialties

While she has been in the education world for over 30 years, her heart is to walk with women and families in crisis, by caring, equipping and pointing them to Jesus in their suffering. She is equipped to counsel a variety of issues, but her specialized training and areas of interest are abuse dynamics in marriage, adoption / blended families, gender and sexuality issues in the family, pastors’ wives, depression and anxiety.

Personal

She lives in Escondido, CA and is married to her husband Curt. They have five children and seven grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys the beach, reading, pickle-ball, and grabbing coffee with a friend.

Education/Experience:

Rusty received his Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from the Master’s University. Rusty has worked with a men’s recovery home in Borger, Texas, as the director and main counselor until the doors closed. Rusty is serving as an Elder at Redeemer Borger, helping with the preaching and teaching. Rusty has also earned his MTS (Masters in Theological Studies) in Preaching and Pastoral Ministry from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Rusty is a member of the Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC) and an ABC Level 1 certificate holder. He has completed the Level 1 Equipped to Counsel (ETC) certification. Currently, Rusty is in the process of completing the ABC Level 2 certification.

Interests & Specialties

Rusty has been in the military and dealt with PTSD, anxiety, and depression himself. These are areas of interest being pursued theologically and are the main focus of his counseling. Trauma is a big deal and affects many aspects of one's life, so Rusty is mostly focusing on trauma and addictions.

Personal

Rusty was born and raised in Borger, Texas; he left for the Army in 2004 and served just under 6 years, following two back-to-back tours in Kosovo and Iraq. Upon returning home, Rusty met his now wife, Krista, and stepdaughter, Britni. Rusty also had the desire to help others deal with their trauma and addictions, so he began his journey in pursuit of Biblical counseling and academia. Rusty has helped to plant a new church in Borger called Redeemer Borger alongside the planting Pastor. Rusty enjoys spending time with his family, reading, and teaching/counseling every chance he gets. .

Education & Experience

Valarie received her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Hospitality Management from the University of North Texas. Following her time serving on staff at The Village Church, she completed her MA in Biblical Counseling at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Valarie has completed her Equip to Counsel (ETC) training at the Village Church and is working towards finishing her degree requirements to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC). She is a member of the Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC) and is working to complete her ABC Advanced Degree certification by the end of the year.

Interests & Specialties

With over a decade of experience caring for individuals in and out of the church, Valarie is equipped to care for those with issues related to anxiety, depression, trauma, life transition, grief/loss, church hurts, cross-cultural experiences, and general life circumstances. With her involvement in education she is also equipped to care for children ages 9 and up. She hopes to see the gospel applied to all nuances of the human experience.

Personal

Born and raised in Texas, but with a heart for the cold, Valarie moved to Seattle, WA in 2022. She enjoys live music, and hosting family and friends in her home.

Education & Experience

Bonnie’s teaching and mentoring spans over three decades, within ministries such as Officers Christian Fellowship (OCF), Presbyterian Church of America (PCA), home Bible Studies, and Young Life. Currently, she serves as a Rhythms (Recovery) Coach with The Austin Stone.

Bonnie holds a BA in Mathematics from the University of Colorado, as well as a Certificate in Biblical Counseling from the Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC). She has also completed training in Systemic Theology (ASDP) and Equip to Counsel (ETC) at The Austin Stone.

Interests & Specialties

She has walked alongside women dealing with grief, depression, anxiety, marriage challenges, conflict resolution, reconciliation, and addiction. Her desire is to meet women in their most vulnerable moments and help them experience the hope and healing found in the gospel.

Personal

In 1986, she married her husband, Rod, and together they raised four adult children and welcomed seven grandchildren. Tragedy struck when they lost a child in a heartbreaking accident, deepening Bonnie’s understanding of grief and its impact. She enjoys reading, sewing, decorating, morning walks, and time with family and friends.