Update June 2026: By God's grace, I have now completed my second year at Denver Seminary. This past year marked a significant transition as I finished my biblical and theological coursework and officially stepped into the counseling portion of my program. I have been learning a tremendous amount about counseling theory, clinical skills, and the integration of psychology and the Christian faith, all of which continue to confirm my calling to serve others through counseling.

I still have two years remaining before graduation, and I am incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported me along the way. Your prayers, encouragement, and financial support continue to make this journey possible as I prepare to serve individuals, families, and churches through Christ-centered mental health care.

- James M.

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My journey to this point has been marked by both deep pain and incredible grace, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share a portion of my story with you.

I was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and immigrated to the United States with my family at the age of ten. Growing up in a strict Haitian household, I was taught the value of hard work, perseverance, and faith. At the same time, I carried wounds that I did not know how to process. Childhood trauma, cultural expectations, and years of internal struggles eventually took a toll on my emotional and mental health.

After graduating from the University of South Florida in 2015, I began working with youth in educational settings. I served students and families in under-resourced communities and quickly discovered a passion for helping others navigate life's challenges. However, by 2020, my own life had reached a breaking point. Everything seemed to fall apart at once. I found myself battling clinical depression, anxiety, and the weight of years of unresolved trauma. It was one of the darkest seasons of my life.

What many people do not know is that I had already begun attending counseling in 2019. Looking back, therapy truly saved my life. Through counseling, I finally began addressing wounds that I had ignored for years. For the first time, I learned how trauma, grief, identity struggles, and unhealthy patterns were impacting every area of my life. Alongside therapy, my relationship with Christ deepened in ways I never could have imagined. God used counselors, pastors, mentors, and faithful friends to help carry me through a season when I often felt like I could not carry myself.

What I once viewed as my greatest weakness has become part of my calling. The same grace, compassion, and guidance that were extended to me are now what I hope to extend to others. I know what it feels like to sit in a counselor's office desperate for hope. I know what it feels like to wonder if things will ever get better. And I know the life-changing impact that a compassionate, skilled counselor can have on someone's journey toward healing.

Today, I am pursuing a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a dual certificate in Biblical and Theological Studies at Denver Seminary. My goal is to become a licensed professional counselor who serves underserved communities, particularly minorities and those within the Church who may struggle with the stigma surrounding mental health. I hope to integrate evidence-based counseling with a biblical worldview, helping individuals find healing emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Your support is not simply an investment in my education. It is an investment in the countless lives I hope to serve in the years ahead. My prayer is that the same hope, healing, and restoration that God has graciously provided to me will one day be extended through my work to others who are hurting.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, for your prayers, and for your support. May God richly bless you for your generosity and partnership in this calling.

"God cannot use a man or woman until he wounds them deeply." - A.W. Tozer