Our Testimonials

"April 2, 2010

March 7th was the day I felt that the one thing I was holding on to in life was ripped from me. I felt such hopelessness that I began to have anxiety attacks. I didn’t know what to do except to find a way to escape the pain. For two days I searched for the right idea to commit suicide but not look like one. But then their was my children and once I talked myself into believing they’d be ok without me, on March 9th I attempted suicide.

That’s the day God saved me.

Two days later, by God’s grace, He led me to Spiritual Care Consultants and that is where God is renewing me. A week later as I walked out of the room, I felt lifted. Spiritual Care is helping me see the light again, after walking in darkness. They are leading me to find faith again and showing me how to surrender all to God, to find peace and strength again, through the only one who can allow me to have this, our God Almighty. Not only is God working through Spiritual Care to reach me but I feel God’s presence right there in the room. God has led them to all the right words, verses and songs to reach my need and touch my heart.

I can’t believe just 3 weeks ago, I was attempting suicide and now today, I’m feeling free. Spiritual Care Consultants have led me to this point. With their help, I no longer feel hopeless, helpless, lost, alone, anxious, lonely, and angry. I am learning how to deal with the stress in my life and I am just amazed how Spiritual Care has had such an impacted on my recovery. I have a long ways to go but without God’s grace and Spiritual Care, I probably would have attempted suicide again. But now I am free and beginning to enjoy life again.

Thank you to Spiritual Care Consultants for touching my life and their continued support. I’d be lost without them."

AC, Michigan

"April 20, 2009

First, let me tell you about a little history about myself. I am a young entrepreneur who has taken many high risks to get rich quick and try to create an empire from nothing. I have had a lot of support from people who believe in me and still do. The problem with myself is I thought money was the top of the list for power, success, and respect. I always wanted the best of the best and as quick as I could get it. I would risk anything to get it.

I started a retail business that started out great the first three years and then started a down fall when the economy went sour and the realization of how much you really need to gross to make a profit. It’s not about cash flow at all and you find that out when cash stops flowing and you have no way to pay for overhead in your business. Long story short I was fortunate to get out of that business fairly clean. I started focusing on my contracting business that is doing great. I was free of most stress and headaches and had my own schedule with little overhead. All I had to worry about is myself and no employees. I was living my American dream of being my own boss, having my own schedule and being with family whenever I wanted. I even had my dream spot on Gun Lake with the most amazing neighbors I call family. I was approached by yet another get rich quick plan by a neighbor who is still a good friend. This plan was my dream come true. A large amount of capital fell in my lap to build beautiful homes in great locations while other builders were sitting on their hands. Perfect right, no competition and homes that would build my portfolio and create more clientele. Well we picked out our locations, designed the homes and constructed them. We were all set and waiting for the big pay day. The problem was by the time we completed the third home and purchased the next three properties the real estate market crashed worse than ever in history. This was the worst thing imaginable for a builder but the best thing that has ever happened to me and I will explain this now.

My whole life as a business owner, I wanted to move fast and get rich quick. I didn’t mind debt as long as I could service the debt through cash flow. When the cash flow stopped I hit rock bottom emotionally, physically, and financially. I had to sell my dream spot on Gun Lake with all the toys. The worst part was I had to leave my neighbors who I call family. My wife and I had all our dreams planned out for the rest of our lives out there. I didn’t know at this time why I existed on this planet. I have worked so hard and taken so many risks to make a lot of money to give my family a better lifestyle. I wanted to fulfill all their dreams as fast as I could. Now I was heading backwards instead of forward and realized if I would have moved slower and not taken any of the risks I would be closer to success and would not have had to go through all the pain and stress. I had fallen into greater depression at this time and the anxiety was at full force. I seriously thought I was losing my mind and I was mentally gone at this time. I had these houses out there that I knew would not sell and I had no work lined up for future income. My wife was at home caring for my two beautiful children, that did not make me feel any better. The responsibility for taking care of my wife and two young children was on my shoulders. With the economy so bad I did not think I had a chance to sell our home on Gun Lake and find clients who would be willing to build a new home with everything crashing down around them. I was lucky to have a spiritual seed planted in me by my parents when I was growing up. I began to pray for the sale of my home and for new homes to build. This felt good to connect with my spiritual side again, but I questioned my Christianity. I needed to do something fast for myself and my family. I was still feeling a lot of emotions that I have not experienced before. I called my family physician Dr. Kathy Carlson and set up an appointment for anti-depressants. When Kathy walked into the room I teared up and she had in her hand a bible. She said to me “Brian, where is your spiritual relationship at this point.” I told her I don’t know for sure. She read me a scripture (Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid for I am with you, Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.) Kathy began to pray for me. Kathy helped put things in a different perspective. She reminded me that I was healthy and could still go out there and be able to work. The confidence that was in her eyes that I was going to be all right was very assuring. Kathy then asked me if I would be willing to meet with Gale Kragt who is a spiritual care consultant. I agreed.

I started meeting with Gale every week for nine weeks until I was able to be on my own to venture my new journey, my walk with God. My wife who has not had any spiritual background agreed to join me in my journey and now it is our journey. I was very skeptical about Christianity but I wanted to believe that there is better life after this one. It is very hard to comprehend how we got here and why we are here dealing with all the sin going on in our world today. When I met with Gale I was prepared to fire away at him with questions. I could not ask him a question that he could not give me a perfect answer. The first meeting Gale printed me off an article on stress and anxiety from Pine Rests website. In that article was an individual going through the same struggles as I was and that made me feel better that I wasn’t alone. Also, the article listed all the many symptoms of stress and anxiety, as I read them I was instantly relieved of all my stress and anxiety knowing that I was not going crazy and I was not alone at all. I just haven’t been exposed to these feelings before so I didn’t know how to deal with them. Gale also told me to turn to scripture (1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares for you.) After meeting with Gale for nine weeks my wife and I are securely on our journey to learn more about God and teach our children when they are ready. We have been reborn and have a different perspective on life. It is not about the riches we have now. It’s about living for God so we can spend eternity in a perfect world with him. I have found the missing link in my life and feel the best I have ever felt even though times are hard right now. This is a very short time to deal with the sins of the world. We are made up of mind, body and soul. You can heal the body with medicine, rest, and proper care. You can heal the mind through tangible items and luxuries, but you can only heal the soul through your relationship with God (Christianity). Gale, Kathy, Mom and Dad, thanks for showing me the true path of success.

I hope many other people can be healed by Spiritual Care Consultants like I have. By the way, my prayers were answered by God. I sold our home on Gun Lake in 60 days for the price I wanted and landed two knew homes to build in the same period of time. Keep the faith because if you don’t have that you don’t have anything. Trust me I know from personal experience."

Anonymous, Gun Lake, Michigan

"December 18, 2007

Over a month ago, I filed for Divorce from my alcoholic husband and the father of my two small children. This was a very difficult thing to do; however, it was a decision that I had to make. I really was not sure where to turn, that was when I first learned of the new organization, Spiritual Care Consultants of West Michigan. At this time in my life, I did not belong to a church, so seeking spiritual advice at that level was not an option for me or my children. I did speak with my family doctor, Matthew Garber, regarding this and he agreed that this would be a good place to start the healing.

I placed a call to Chaplain Gale, who immediately was able to see me. Although I went to the first appointment with hesitation, and doubt this would help me, I was open to new suggestions. After my first appointment, I felt very comfortable, reassured, and excited about the plan that we had set up for the next week. During that week, my children and I attended a new church in our community, I read a few articles that helped me with my situation, and I started to enjoy my children more and learned more about myself.

I have now attended three sessions with Chaplain Gale, which is the best thing I could have done for myself, physically, mentally, and spiritually. I have been taking Xanax for anxiety for over one year and since starting with SCC, I have not had to use any in over three weeks. I have learned how to re address my anxiety through meditation and asking the Lord to release all of my anxiety to him.

I would recommend this program to anyone who is unsure where to turn or who just doesn't have the financial means to pay for counseling. I am looking forward to being an active member in my new church, learning to love myself and my children to the fullest, and being a positive influence in the community."

Anonymous, Hastings, Michigan

Our Survey Results and Evaluation feedback

“ My depression has gotten ten times better.”

“ When I came to you I was barely a two out of ten and now I am an eight.”

“ I am thankful for this service . It has helped me tremendously.”

“ I talked to Gale and he was wonderful.”

“ Very caring.”

“ Thank you so much.”

“ I think that what is going on is great. I wouldn’t change a anything. Why fix anything that is not broken?”

" I think that this is an awesome opportunity and I wish more people knew about it.”

“ Could you clone him? He is so easy to talk with. It’s wonderful and it does not cost me.”

“ This is a great service. It was a God send. It helped me in a time of crisis.”

“ The scripture used was valuable and God touched me though it.”

“He felt that he could open up to Pastor Gale & he was comfortable with getting emotional.”

“I would not be in such a good place with out this service.”

“It was beneficial to help cope with situation.”

“24 Hour hot line.”

“ There is so much need out in the world-We just need this service.”

“One of the best things a doctor can do for you is to ask about your spiritual well being.”

“ It is pretty amazing to me-it hit everything on the dot.”