Dr Fabing

Dr. Fabing describes Hope Institute (Nine courses on How to Council from the Word of God) as the culmination of his life’s work. This Biblical counseling course is  “to equip every interested pastor, church leader or lay leader to give pastoral care.”

He is uniquely qualified to write, having spent the last 50+ years providing Bible-based counseling to those facing the difficulties of living in what he calls “the world system.” He and his wife Angela are both licensed professional counselors. In addition, over the years, Fabing has been an educator, school counselor, therapist, author, and pastor.

“Pastors have been called to lead their sheep,” he said. “Being there when people are going through struggles. My passion is to mentor and train pastoral leadership to have the skills and abilities necessary to help people through the ‘stuff’ they face daily.”

Describing himself as “a teacher of teachers,” Dr. Fabing is doing just that as Founder/President of Bridge of Hope, Farmington, Missouri-based ministry created for training, teaching, and counseling others in restoration. There was a time when I didn’t know what the word ‘restoration’ meant, but it’s a restoration that many people seek in their lives today.”

A St. Louis native, Fabing said he was born into a family that did not know how to communicate with one another about their feelings. “I was often confused, frustrated, and lonely,” he admits. “I felt as if I was all alone and had no one to turn to.”

As a child, Dr. Fabing spent most of his time riding a bicycle and playing sports but says that no one came to watch and encourage him when he played sports. He remained determined to do something in his life to help other young people feel as if someone cared. He decided the best way to do this was to become a teacher.

“During my junior year of high school, I envisioned helping those with no place to go. I decided to continue my education to earn a master’s degree in guidance and counseling. This desire and dedication to preparation to help others was felt when I was still not a believer in Christ.” It was at the age of 29 that Dr. Fabing “came to Christ” at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes conference. 

“God called me into the ministry of restoration on October 10, 1985.”

“Some ways I’ve been able to use my education and care for others has been through teaching and working with children in three homes for boys, those with addictions, couples with marriage difficulties, and in the prison system.”

Dr. Fabing shares that most counseling is learning how to make healthy decisions and dealing with past trauma.

Dr. Fabing said it’s his strong personal faith in Christ and his experiences in the “real world” that he takes a different approach with his patients than most Christian counselors. He emphasizes having his clients fill out a personality profile. The profile helps him to have a better concept of the client’s psychological and emotional perceptions. He also gives them homework. Completing the personality profile and homework can be followed by trauma and grief work.

Dr. Fabing prays that the ministry he’s developed through the years be multiplied and used by others. He’s already received praise from others in ministry who believes his work marks a new standard in Christian psychology and counseling.

“It seems by now there should have been enough books and courses written covering the subject of psychology and counseling,” said Pastor Harry J. Drennen, Ph.D. of Houston, Texas. “The market is flooded with good material dealing with principles, formulas, psychology, and counseling techniques. However, until now, none have systematically, logically, and progressively addressed those two vital subjects.