Leadership

We are so fortunate to have a highly skilled and diverse board to lead Counselling Global. We are based in the US, the UK and Asia with backgrounds in finance, global health, psychiatry, church planting, small business creation, technology and people management.

Stephen Jones

Executive director
board member
London, England

  • Stephen has a diverse background as an ordained pastor, counselor and community organizer. In the US, Spain, and the UK, he has worked at the intersection of faith, mental health, and social impact business. Stephen has a Communications degree from Clemson University, master's degrees in counseling and divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary, and an MBA from Warwick Business School, UK. Stephen and his wife Charity live with their three kids in London, England.

Charity Jones

Clinical director
London, England

  • Charity has the sincere desire to make counselling accessible to everyone. This desire has led her to Kazakhstan, Jordan, Spain and England. She wants to honor each person’s unique faith, culture, ethnicity, family or background. Charity has 15 years of clinical experience serving those excluded from counselling. Charity has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Cornell University and a master’s degree in counselling from Covenant Theological Seminary. She is also a licensed counsellor in the state of Pennsylvania.

Jahera Otieno

board member
global health & strategy
Washington D.c.

  • Jahera is a mission-driven, senior non-profit professional with experience working with philanthropic, public, and private sectors to drive strategic growth and implement effective organizational change. As an entrepreneurial-minded and strategic and innovative thinker and leader, Jahera brings deep knowledge and expertise in health equity, community engagement, stakeholder engagement, coalition building, strategy implementation, and communications. She currently is a Senior Consultant with Community Wealth Partners. Jahera has a Master of Public Health from Boston University School of Public Health and a BS from Cornell University.

Justice Onwuka

board member
Hr & technology
London, England

  • Justice brings 8+ years of global learning solutions experience across Americas, EMEA, APAC, and India. He partners with senior leaders on strategic initiatives to improve performance metrics. His expertise includes managing leadership development, facilitating M&A cultural integration, and coordinating executive coaching. Currently pursuing an MSc in Strategic HR Management, Justice is a CIPD Associate member. He values counselling's positive impact and aims to contribute to Counselling Global's success.

Brad Jones

board member
Social Impact & operations
Greenville, SC

  • With over 10 years of entrepreneurial experience, Brad has started and managed several social impact businesses. In North Africa, Brad and his family lived cross-culturally and spoke Arabic while doing business and being involved in local ministry. He has a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from Clemson University and a seminary degree from Columbia International University. He is also an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church of America. Brad and his wife April have four children.

    "I love that Counselling Global is addressing the global mental health crisis in a way that is thoughtful and scalable. As new multi-lingual counselors are trained, I’m sure the demand for their services will grow around the world. I’m thankful for the work that Stephen and Charity have started, and I’m happy to be part of it. "

Kelly Gibson

board member
tax & accounting
Columbia, SC

  • Kelly Gibson has over 20 years of experience in audit, tax, and financial accounting. Over this career, he has worked in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. These insights help him to translate financial information for a variety of people. Kelly received his bachelor's degree in accounting from Clemson University. Kelly’s passions are his faith, family and sports.

    “I am excited to serve on the board of Counseling Global, and I consider it a privilege to be a part of an organization that strives to provide help and heal individuals who, at times, may be underserved and overlooked.”

Confidential name

Board member
psychiatry & ministry
Asia

  • Coming soon.

pastoral care

In this transition, some people have asked about the accountability structures and pastoral care are set up. At Counselling Global, the ultimate authority will be held by the board as a 5013c nonprofit, but it’s helpful to understand that other support structures are in place for Stephen and Charity in this pioneer work. There are three different layers of accountability and pastoral care.

MDE has provided legal, financial and business coaches for the last three years to help support the Jones family. Their expertise and pastoral care has played a pivotal role in the growth and stability of Counselling Global.

“We’re excited to partner with Stephen and Charity as they work on complex problems that will require a high level of professional expertise outside of their areas of competencies. MDE partners with its members to build successful businesses in unreached communities that are channels for the Gospel in word and deed. As a service organization, MDE builds a team of experts from a variety of disciplines to meet the business’ needs as they arise. This includes providing legal services, both for planning/operational issues and litigation, should such a conflict arise.“

Mark Canada - tax lawyer and president
Marketplace & Development Enterprises

2. Pastoral Care Team From Supporting Churches

The Jones meet quarterly with a group of pastors for advice and pastoral care. Because it is common from pioneer work to lead to burn out and loneliness, this rhythm of care and accountability has been pivotal in providing relational stability in the midst of steep growth. The support from these local churches has provided needed insights to frame our work not only as a public good, but also as a distinctly Christian service to those in need.

“Over the last few years I have had the privilege to get to know Stephen both personally and professionally. I have been encouraged in my own work as a pastor and counselor by Stephen and his commitment to serve God with passion, creativity, and diligence. I look forward to continuing to see how God uses Stephen and his team to bring Gospel-centered counseling to places and peoples that have been previously unreached and uncared for. How beautiful and good to see Jesus' heart for the lost and overlooked on full display through this ministry.”

Rev. Spencer Thomas, LPC
Pastor of Care and Counseling
Jacob’s Well Church (PCA)

3. Personal Mentors

While Stephen and Charity both meet with clinical supervisors monthly, their meetings with personal mentors have been a crucial step in protecting them from burnout. They are so grateful that they don’t have to hold the needs of the local church and running a growing counseling center alone.

"Stephen and I have been in a mentoring relationship for over three years.  I have watched him work very hard to see that Counselling Global come to fruition to help meet the needs of the church worldwide.  His personal life is marked by his commitment to his family and to his ministry for the Lord Jesus Christ.  I trust that Counselling Global will touch many for the Kingdom of God through the ministry of its committed members.”

Dr. Gordon Ainsworth
Highland Baptist Church

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