Rejoicing for 25 years of Ministry
Reflecting on 25 years of counseling ministry calls for deep celebration and gratitude. Two and a half decades of guiding others through trauma, grief, and life transitions is a remarkable milestone. This sacred work leaves a lasting legacy of hope, resilience, and transformation for countless individuals and families. It is humbling to ponder our small beginning in the basement of the Nazarene Church in Holland, Michigan. To now recognize that Beacon of Hope’s Christ-centered Counseling Ministry is celebrating 25 years of restoring hearts, mending spirits, and rebuilding lives across Michigan. What began as a local mission to provide compassionate soul care has expanded into a network of healing. Today, by operating five physical clinic locations and a telehealth therapy platform, Beacon of Hope brings professional clinical guidance and spiritual support to individuals, couples, and families throughout the entire state. Only God could have orchestrated such a feat. What a privilege and honor that He chose me to get it started and has allowed me to stay so closely involved to this day. I give all praise to Jesus! It is only because of His great love and grace that we continue to serve.
A Quarter-Century of Sacred Trust
Reaching this milestone is an achievement rooted in immense dedication. Walking alongside hurting people, listening to their deepest fears, and helping them untangle complex emotions requires a special kind of endurance. Through the past twenty-five years, Beacon of Hope has served as a safe harbor for the weary. The counselors serving at Beacon of Hope act as faithful vessels of compassion, providing the essential psychological tools necessary to navigate life’s darkest valleys. These counselors have included 157 Master level interns that have been trained up as future Kingdom workers. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are often few in the mental health field. It has been a true blessing speaking into and developing these fine future therapists. I believe it is a calling to a career in counseling. Looking back at this call and career dedicated to soul care, the primary response is profound gratitude. Thankfulness is due first to all the counselors who have tirelessly answered this calling.
Seeds of Encouragement
Ministry can often feel hidden and heavy. The work does not always yield instant, visible results; instead, it involves planting seeds of truth that may take years to bloom. To the staff and volunteer network serving at Beacon of Hope, let this major historical milestone serve as a source of tremendous encouragement. Every listening ear, every prayer, and every wise piece of counsel has contributed directly to a monumental, multi-generational impact across Michigan communities. When you feel weary or wonder if your efforts are making a difference, remember the lives that have been fundamentally changed. Marriages have been restored, broken hearts have been mended, and individuals have found the strength to overcome deep-seated trauma. From your physical office locations scattered across the state to your digital telehealth therapy spaces, your daily labor of love is never in vain. The incredible perseverance you demonstrate reflects a steadfast commitment to helping people find genuine peace, emotional wellness, and renewed purpose.
A Time to Celebrate
Looking back across this 25-year legacy of clinical excellence, and the sacred space held for deep grief, anxiety, and relational brokenness I cannot be more proud and grateful. Day after day, our counselors have sacrificed many hours to hold the pains of others close to their chests. Furthermore, immense gratitude extends to the families, financial donors, board members, and local churches who faithfully sustain these professionals through the emotional weight inherent to this work. Finally, we express deepest gratitude to the clients themselves, whose vulnerability and courage to seek healing have made this journey deeply rewarding.
Celebrating 25 years of impact is ultimately about honoring collective resilience, strategic growth, and the profound grace that has carried Beacon of Hope through every season of ministry. It is a time to look backward with joy at the victories—both small and large—that have occurred within the walls of these counseling rooms and across the virtual telehealth networks.
As the Beacon of Hope community unites to honor this dedicated team, we celebrate the uniquely accessible footprint this ministry has established. By bridging the gap between local, face-to-face clinical care and statewide virtual accessibility, we ensure that no resident of Michigan has to walk through suffering alone. Recognizing a full quarter-century of faithful service not only honors the history of past victories but also inspires the future of an expanding vision. We celebrate these 25 years of changing lives, and look forward with anticipation to the ongoing mission of bringing light, healing, and hope to every corner of Michigan. I congratulate all who have played a part of this amazing journey. It is work that comes with heavenly rewards. Let’s celebrate all year long. God has blessed us. Let’s share this blessing and let His anthems reign!
Kyle L. Thompson EdD LPC, Co-Founder & Executive Director
