Q&A with new Director of Counseling John Stewart

We are excited to welcome John Stewart as our new Director of Counseling. John’s involvement with the Ranch has spanned decades, beginning in the 70’s when the ministry was just getting started and continuing through the years serving on the Board of Directors. John has served the local community by meeting with clients from Women of Worth, Living Well Medical Clinic, and Sierra Services for the Blind. He attends the Nevada County Christian Ministers’ Fellowship and continues to serve on the board for the Daily Transformation Journal.

Z: John, what first brought you to the Ranch back in the 70’s?

J: I was at a crossroads in my life. I was in seminary for pastoral care and counseling and at the same time my parents were getting a divorce. My cousin, Dan Stewart, had heard the founders speak at Lincoln Christian Seminary, and came out to CA to help. His brother, Steve, who later came on staff, was also a strong influence in my decision to come.

Another reason I came was the reputation that God was really working here - that God was present here. I hungered for that in my life.

Z: What was it like when you arrived as an intern?

J: There were three of us - we were the first interns. They first put me in charge of the counseling program. Then when Jim Parker came, he had me heading up the internship program. I was doing things I wasn’t prepared to do - that was the case for many of us.

Living in a Christian community and working to change people’s lives was really fulfilling, and it was also challenging learning how to relate to others in a vulnerable way. It was shocking for my Midwest upbringing.

Z: If I remember correctly, you and Pam met at the Ranch, right?

J: Yes, Pam came here to visit with a college group from Yuba City. I tried to convince her to stay, but she had to finish up a year at Chico State. We met again a year later at a mutual friend’s wedding, and she invited me over for dinner. She came to help up at the Ranch that year, and by December we were married.

Z: You just knew!

J: We just knew. We’ll be married 50 years this December.

John and Pam have remained connected with CER through the decades serving in different ways, including volunteering at the Agony Ride.

Z: Can you tell me more about your private practice, A Renewed Hope, and how it started?

J: I opened my own private practice in 1993. I wanted to help other counselors get their hours for licensure so at one time I had seven counselors working for me. There were offices in Grass Valley, Auburn, and Folsom. Pam has been my bookkeeper and scheduler.

As I worked with both Christians and non-Christians, it was always hard [on a personal level]. The culture had become more polarized. My heart has been wanting to work more with those who want to pursue the Lord and wanting to integrate psychology and theology together. My desire to return to ministry grew, and I was serving on CER’s board of directors when the job offer came.

Z: It’s cool to see how God was already priming you. What’s something you’re looking forward to in this next season?

J: I want to first learn the inner workings of what we’re doing here and why we’re doing it. I want to integrate my experiences into this new experience. I have a very creative side that likes to come up with new ideas, and I’m interested in how that can benefit the ministry, and the students and interns.

Z: We’re so glad to have you aboard, John.