Tom & Patty Maxham

Tom & Patty Maxham

Coordinator
Eastern Africa

Doctrinally sound books are scarce in Uganda; most pastors and leaders do not have a single book on biblical counseling. Our plan is to provide four regions in Uganda with many quality counseling books; in turn the pastors there plan to use these books to create four biblical counseling libraries which can be a accessible to many people.

Praises:

  • Publishers and authors have been very helpful and excited about this project.
  • The Lord has provided a wonderful couple to work with us on the book library project.

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for Biblical Counseling books to start libraries in Rukungiri, Mbale, Kampala, and Luweero!
  • The Lord would bless our small effort to start biblical counseling libraries in Uganda.
  • The Lord would provide the funding to pay for the books.
  • The Lord would do more than we can imagine with the library idea.
  • Ultimately, for the formation of a Ugandan biblical counseling association.
  • God to be glorified! Isaiah 43:7

Tom’s Story

I first learned about biblical counseling when I was given a book titled, How to Counsel God’s Way and soon after that read Competent to Counsel by Jay Adams. Ever since then I have recognized the sufficiency of God’s word for counseling. I believe that the concept of “sufficiency” sets apart true biblical counseling from all other types of counseling done by Christians. I’ve been counseling regularly since 2003. Early on, I realized that to lead this type of ministry I needed more training and so completed the Association of Biblical Counselors Association (ACBC) certification and a Master of Arts degree in biblical counseling from The Master’s College. I now counsel regularly within my local church and with the Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship (IBCD). Biblical counseling has consistently resulted in my personal growth and miraculous change in the lives of struggling people in a way that truly brings God the glory.

I retired early from my position as a Deputy Fire Chief to be able to serve more full-time in ministry.  I currently serve as the pastor/elder of Adult Ministries with Grace Bible Church in Escondido, California (San Diego county). After attending OIC’s first Missionary Training Conference in Fairview Heights, IL, I knew that the ministry of OIC was definitely of interest to Patty and I. We now serve OIC as the East Africa Director.

Favorite verse: John 21:15

Patty’s Story

I see my primary role as my husband’s helpmate (Gn 2:18) and so to help with his ministry calling to care for the church; not only our home church, but also teaching the greater church. I’ve learned much about biblical counseling through “on-the-job” training by getting involved in the lives of many struggling people as I am often called to be in counseling with Tom and to pray with him. I love to see people provided with solid answers from Scripture and given hope by pointing them to Christ. I am also learning to care for others through discipling ladies in our church and as a former college instructor really enjoy teaching women’s Bible studies. As our children are grown, I am now blessed with grandchildren, using my love for music as a part of the Sunday morning worship team, and being a part of many church activities as a member of the women’s committee.

Favorite book: Galatians

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