UPWARD CALL

Upward Call Counseling Services was founded by Bob Weaver, LSW, BCD, in 1996

with the purpose of providing a “Christ centered counseling service for persons wanting

to experience wholeness for themselves and in all of their relationships.”  

 

Upward Call established a particular interest in making counseling services usable

to churches with parishioners having specialty counseling needs.  This interest

included efforts to relate to the conservative Mennonite and Amish population.

 

SHEPHERD'S TOUCH

Shepherd’s Touch Counseling Ministry was established through the leadership

of Dr. James E. Johnson, LCSW, who provided professional counseling to a local

church congregation {Worship Center, Lancaster} for five years, prior to

establishing Shepherd’s Touch in 1992.

 

UPWARD CALL & SHEPHERD'S TOUCH MERGE

The mission of both agencies were similar and designed to offer Biblically-based counseling services to the public at an affordable cost. In 2010, Upward Call and Shepherd’s Touch combined resources to merge as one agency under the corporate name of Upward Call Counseling Services, also doing business as Shepherd’s Touch.

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RIVER OF HOPE MERGES WITH UPWARD CALL

In October of 2018, River of Hope, a counseling agency based in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, merged with Upward Call. River of Hope officially formed as a non-profit organization in 2011, originating out of Gingrichs Mennonite Church. They envisioned a center that would provide Christ-centered systemtic therapy to individuals, couples, families, and support groups, with the goal to meet a number of needs within the Lebanon community.

 

It was clear that River of Hope's vision aligned closely with Upward Call. Upon merging, the board of the former River of Hope joined the board of Upward Call with the hope of being better able to serve persons wanting to experience an increased level of wholeness and health for themselves and in their relationships.

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A NEW SEASON

Dr. James E. Johnson served as Executive Director of Upward Call, until his passing in July 2021. Patricia M. Wright took over as Upward Call's Executive Director, with Bob Weaver involved as a liaison to plain {Amish/Mennonite} communities.

 

We continue to provide Biblically based counseling services and have expanded our services to include counselor training opportunities for Pastors and lay counselors and seminars on topics such as Depression, Addiction, Marriage & Family, Sexuality and Finances. Many churches also support this ministry by referring clients and offering financial assistance to parishioners who are receiving services.

 

It is our honor and privilege to see many clients go from broken and wounded to healing

and wholeness through the grace and power of God working in their lives!