Denver Seminary

Furthermore, we had expected to teach some students about counseling so that they could become more attuned and responsive to the needs of people in churches. While this definitely happened, the impact of our ministry reached much farther. We had a multitude of opportunities, including connecting with Filipino psychologists, studying at the national university, traveling and speaking throughout the Philippines, and creating masters-level and doctoral counseling programs. Each of these opportunities led to the development of Filipino faculty who were able to replace us at the seminary, as well as graduates who have developed much-needed counseling programs at seminaries in other parts of Asia. Outside of the Christian arena, we continue to hear of our graduates holding influential positions within government departments, establishing nonprofit organizations, holding high positions within academic institutions, and even becoming TV personalities who are interviewed about counseling issues or are involved as experts on reality TV shows! THE NEED FOR CARE Along the way, another unexpected opportunity arose. Despite the popular image of missionaries as tough, resilient people, missionaries experience high degrees of stress and trauma in their lives. So, in addition to our teaching, we counseled a number of missionaries and their families. In doing so, we became much more cognizant of and active in the sub-field of member care, helping missionaries work through personal and interpersonal problems so they can continue ministry in the field. And we quickly became aware of our own need for this kind of support. Perhaps we were naïve, but we often expected our friends, churches, and colleagues to understand the joys and challenges of our lives as foreigners in Manila and the complexities of our ministries there. We realize now that we expected the impossible. Short-term mission experiences are significantly different from immersion into a culture over an extended period. While everyone welcomed us when we returned, we felt increasingly disconnected over the eight years we were gone. Looking back, we realize that our life overseas was so radically different from the lives of our friends back home that there was no way to bridge the divide. This has been a powerful reminder of the isolation many missionaries experience. At some profound level, people at home can't entirely understand why they do what they do, but missionaries still need connections with home. SURPRISED BY LIFE The best surprises from our time on the mission field are the wonderful, life-long relationships we formed in the Philippines with both Filipinos and our fellow missionaries. Filipinos have to be one of the nicest, friendliest groups of people anywhere. Almost 12 years since our return to North America, we remain in touch with a number of them and even get birthday greetings. In addition, the deep friendships forged with fellow missionaries and their families have permanently enriched our lives. What began as an interesting adventure has become the most significant ministry experience of our lives. Hardly a day goes by without a reminder from an email or Facebook post of our time in the Philippines. For us and our sons, it has shaped our identities in profound ways. We are older now and less likely to actively seek surprises. A predictable life feels better as we age. Yet the surprises keep coming! Being recruited to teach at Denver Seminary was a huge one. Raising our two-year-old grandson is another. We doubt God is done surprising us. The Philippines taught us to hold our expectations and plans loosely and to stay open to the unexpected. ENGAGE 9 Fred Gingrich, DMin Heather Davediuk Gingrich, PhD PROFESSORS OF COUNSELING Fred and Heather Gingrich have been on faculty at Denver Seminary since 2005. Fred served as chair of the counseling division from 2007–2015. They were missionaries with the Canadian Christian and Missionary Alliance in Manila, Philippines from 1997–2005. Heather has authored Restoring the Shattered Self: A Christian Counselor's Guide to Complex Trauma, and Heather and Fred co-authored (along with Betsy Sbanotto) Skills for Effective Counseling: A Faith-Based Integration. They have two sons, Brandon (24) and Nathan (23) and are raising their two-year-old grandson, Rico. They continue to be involved internationally in Asia and specialize in the areas of complex trauma (Heather) and marriage and family (Fred). livcool/Thinkstock

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