Sally Werdel

FLINT, Michigan - Since 1993, Sally Werdel has been a fixture of one of Flint's most vibrant downtown ministries - the Gerholz Counseling Center.

Werdel came on staff at Gerholz in 1993 when First Presbyterian Church of Flint started using its parishioners to serve the non-emergency needs of the community.

They were mostly people who were depressed, anxious or had many other ‘simpler' problems," said Werdel, a 78-year-old retired RN and peer counselor at Gerholz. "But, of course, to them they were monumental."

Werdel had a year's worth of training before being charged with the care of a client, and has been instrumental in affecting for good the lives of so many people in need.

The Gerholz Center is a professional, highly credentialed counseling service that marries mental health practices with Christian principles.

The Center provides counseling for adults, couples, families and specially-trained staff to work with children.

For Werdel, the goal of Gerholz is to meet people where they are in life, to come alongside them with support and encouragement.

Our purpose is to aid people in acquiring a healthy mental life, so they can live a happy and joyful life," said Werdel. "We want everyone to feel secure."

All services provided by Gerholz come by way of donations, volunteered resources all across the spectrum from time to tithe - legions of volunteers, like Werdel, who have persevered for the simple love of people.

(Working at Gerholz) has been one of the most rewarding things I've ever done," she said. "It has given me a great deal of satisfaction in knowing that I was able to give somebody a lift in their life...to help them accept what has happened and to lose some of that guilt."

And all it took for Werdel was to follow the point of a prod - the subtle recognition of a calling on her life.

I feel that God has called me to do this," said Werdel, a member of FPCF since 1968. "He has blessed me deeply and it gives me so much satisfaction to know that I can be of value."

And you can be, too.

Werdel encourages anyone who listens to serve.

The Gerholz Center is currently seeking peer counselors of all ages.

All you have to do is inquire," she said.

To speak to someone in the Gerholz Center, call 810.234.0500.