The Biblical Counseling Ministry at Lakeside exists to come alongside people with the hope and help of God’s Word as they navigate the challenges and struggles of life. Our aim is not merely problem-solving, but Christ-centered transformation, loving care, and growth in godliness through right knowledge and proper application of the Scripture.
Our core ministry team currently includes four ACBC-certified counselors (Association of Certified Biblical Counselors), as well as the Elders of Lakeside. In addition, we are actively engaged in raising up and training new counselors for future service.
Those seeking counseling may contact the church office to request an application. Once submitted, the application is reviewed by Pastor Oliver Smith, who oversees the ministry. Then the individual is matched with an appropriate counselor. In keeping with our care and accountability structure, men are counseled by men and women by women. However, we do also offer counseling for married couples.
For those interested in becoming a counselor, please contact Pastor Oliver Smith. Lay counselors are first required to complete a certification process and then they would still need to receive approval from the Elders of Lakeside before serving in this particular ministry.
Steve and Barb Traum
Steve began attending Lakeside in January 1999 and received God’s amazing gift of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord on May 3, 1999. He has been married to Barbara since 1985 and has 6 adult children. Steve holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and an MBA, with career experience in engineering and construction of oil refineries, chemical plants, etc. He has been a Certified Biblical counselor since 2007, primarily focusing on counseling couples alongside his wife.
Barb had a career as an RN, primarily working in Pediatrics, ER, OR and a Doctor’s Office. She was saved by God's grace at age 40. The Lord guided Barb (and her husband Steve) to Lakeside in January of 1999. She completed the ACBC training and certification process in 2008. She has been faithfully counseling at LCC since 2002.
Bill Billips
Bill and his wife, Gwen, have been married for more than 50 years, they have 3 adult children and 3 grandchildren. Bill graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1971 and then graduated from law school in 1977. He practiced law from 1978- 2016 when he retired. Bill was saved in 2014, he was baptized at Lakeside on March 15, 2015, and became a member of Lakeside in 2017. For many years he has been a faithful deacon and a Sunday School teacher. He received his ACBC certification in 2020 and has been counseling ever since.
Kaori Evans
Kaori is an ACBC-certified biblical counselor who is committed to helping others grow through the faithful application of God’s Word. She has been counseling since 2015 and holds an MBA in Global Business as well as a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling from The Master’s University. Kaori and her husband, Mark, moved to Florida in 2024, and she now serves in the counseling ministry at Lakeside. She is also involved with a biblical counseling organization in Japan, where she contributes to training, translation, and the development of biblical counseling resources.