Oh, I so appreciate this update and the things you shared. Personally, I’ve really missed your Dad’s regular blog posts which were so encouraging to me as a new coach. And I still have his coaching textbook. I remembered him sharing about your mother’s illness in a prior post so I assumed he was quite busy caring for her. But there has been a void not hearing from him for 4 years. I want him to know he is greatly missed in the coaching/leadership community. I will be praying for him and your mom too. I look forward to hearing more wisdom from your Dad in some way via blog or whatever. I’m sure the past 4 years have given him much life experience that could be passed on to the younger generations. I AM LISTENING, GARY. What do you have to say to us? Blessings to you and praying your hospital stay will be shorter than anticipated. Sheryl Bullock
Thank you Sheryl for your kind reply. I was granted a visit with dad tomorrow and I will relay your message to him then. I’m sure it will be encouraging and a great motivator for him to get back on his feet again. Blessings, jan
Thank you, Jan. Your mom and dad are near and dear to my heart! Gary has been a #1 mentor to so many!!! I remember the first semester he came to Liberty University. He was flying in from Chicago and then back home to teach classes on Monday’s and Tuesday’s. My dad encouraged me to sign up for his class, and I did my best to audit all the others after that. His influence still inspires me to this day. He is in my prayers! Your mom, Jan, too! God knows and God cares – and God has so much more in store for all who believe!!! Praying, hoping, and wishing the best!!! Love and prayers, Tim Behrens
Thanks for this update. Your father has been a blessing to me for many years. May Jesus Christ shepherd him and your mom through this difficult time and give them joy and peace.
Thank you Jan,
I had the privilege of sitting next to your dad at a Christian Counsellors workshop in Sydney Australia some 18 years or so ago. His presence was extra special to me at that time signifying the Fathers love. When I saw the blog email just then was excited that he was starting up again and to hear what has been happening.. Anyhow the news is sad but his presence will live on in my heart. God bless you and your family as you continue to care for your parents. I appreciate you sharing the news
Nady Radic – Psychologist Canberra Australia
Thanks for this Update on my friend Gary. It’s been many years since our initial contact abs later at Conferences. Gary helped me so much as a young Pastor. When we initially met at El Kanna in Victoria at a Conference he was so encouraging. I am retired( ??)now but still have great memories of his personality and teachings. Having only been thinking of he and your mum Julie recently wondering how they are. I am 81 now but still ‘do a bit of ministry. Every Blessing Sincerely John Mills Qld Australia.
What a beautiful, poignant update about a godly man who has had a profound influence on so many of us, Jan. (You do your dad proud, by the way.) I’m writing this from my office in the Seattle, WA area and can glance over to see your dad’s books on my bookshelves. As an adjunct professor, ministry professional, and certified coach, I’ve used these books many tones, both for personal growth and and also as classroom texts to teach others.
All that to say, I am one of a countless number who owe your dad a deep debt of gratitude for all his years of the faithful pouring out of his many gifts and the pouring in of his gentle-strong wisdom to my own life and calling, especially through his writing.
Please thank him for me (ditto for my minister/professor husband, Don) and assure him of our fervent prayers for a quicker-than-expected, complete recovery. Praying for your whole family, Jan.
Thank you so much for update. Gary will remember me. I’m Dr Don Lichi from Emerge Ministries in Akron. Ohio. I visited w mom and dad 2x at their home and talked w dad a couple years ago by phone.. simply a great man, courageous and visionary pioneer! Please give my greetings. Dr Don Lichi
Thank you for this update. I warms my heart to see you on video my beautiful friend. I have been praying for your dear parents since your mom received her diagnosis and have been fervently praying for you, dear, Dr. Collins, since your stroke and continue to pray for you for complete healing. You are loved. How thankful I am to have met you all those years ago when Jan and I were at LU. Your smile is always so contagious and you never met a stranger. Always one to help and care for others. It is my honor to know you and pray for you. Love to you, Caroline Bell Grossman
Thank you for this update Jan. You wouldn’t remember, but I actually had the pleasure of meeting you a number of years ago when I was visiting and staying with your dad for a few days. He and I initially bonded over some of our shared Canadian heritage (I grew up not far from your dad, we both went to McMaster University, etc.).
The impact that not only your dad but your mom also has had on countless people is incredible (in addition to the memories I have of time with your dad, I also have fond memories of sitting in their kitchen having encouraging and thoughtful conversations with your mom).
You thanked us in the video for allowing your dad to play meaningful roles in our lives. I am sure that all who have had the true pleasure of knowing your dad would agree that it is us who are thankful. Thankful for the authentic and humble man that he is. Thankful for the many ways he has poured himself into our lives. Thankful for how he has come alongside countless people – both in person and through his tireless work – to encourage us, help us discover how and where God is leading, and not only teach but also model how we are to love and support others.
I haven’t seen your dad in years. And that makes me sad. What I would give to sit with him in his office or go to the local bakery for coffee. To update him on all that has happened since we last met. To once again go on the Gary Collins tour of Chicago. Or most of all to pray with him.
I’ll end this lengthy response now by saying that there are people like myself literally all over the world who are praying for your dad, your mom, and the rest of your family. And we will continue to do so. For healing, for encouragement, and for a beautiful and tangible sense of God’s presence.
Hi Jan, This is Paul Luedtke. I work with Youth for Christ in Switzerland/Europe. I was a student of Gary’s in the early ’80’s. I was part of a work group that helped critique “the big yellow book” and its ancillaries. I spent many hours at your home in Kildeer. I’m pretty sure we met once. When he came to Switzerland, I was with him at a conference where he was a speaker. I’m so glad for your update. I’ve been trying to get a hold of Gary for quite awhile and now I know why I’ve not been able to. I’m sorry for the difficult times that you’re going through. Please let Gary know that I think about him quite regularly and am thankful for his godly influence in my life. Thanks to him and what he did at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, I have been able to offer psychological and pastoral counseling to many young people and adults. Thank you for taking the time to do this great service for us who have known and loved Gary. Our thought and prayers are with you. Please do keep in touch. Grace and peace,
I will relay the message. I wish I had known that you were in Switzerland. I had the pleasure of visiting Geneva and Montreux as well as Paris in the fall of 2019. What I wouldn’t give to be back there right now. Next time, I’ll make sure to look you up. I remember your name. Blessings.
Dear Jan, thank you for your update! We will pray for your mother and father. Back in the early 70s I had the privilege of being a student of your father’s at Trinity, and have been blessed by his ministry in many ways (books, his blog, etc.) ever since. We first met when we attended the Evangelical Free Church there near Deerfield and my wife and I had the enjoyable privilege of caring for you and your sister a few times when your parents spent a few evenings away. I do miss your father’s blogs, and if you would ever feel inclined to pick up doing that I would love to be on your mailing list. Henry and Mary Virkler
Of course I remember you! Many years ago, I remember your name being warmly spoken of in our home. Blessings to you and thank you for your prayers. jan
Thank You Jan for the update on your family. You don’t know me but I have used “the big yellow book” since getting my Biblical Counseling masters in 2014. Through that book your dad influences my practice where ever I am. Right now I am in a small town in Northern Wisconsin (pop. 1100 or so). For the past couple years I have been co-facilitating a monthly Grief Support group with the pastor of the Lutheran Church in our town. Thank you for loving and supporting your parents as they give to so many. Peace and strength to you as you walk through this journey with your parents. -Carla Joseph
Thank you, Jan, for this update on your father. I am praying for him and his recovery. I’ve known of his prolific work and contribution to the field of Christian counseling from the beginning of my professional career back in 1982.
Beginning with “How to be a People Helper” “How to Help People Grow” and of course Comprehensive Guide to Christian Counseling which is recommended reading in a course I teach online with Gateway Seminary here in California. I was blessed to have met your dad at a conference were we sat next to each other over a meal. He was gracious and I recall him telling me a story of a trip he had made to either Mexico or one of the Central American countries and the excellent service that he had receive from the food server. I was touched by his care for this individual that he had just met. That and so much more is his legacy – to give and serve others through his writing, teaching, and mentoring.
Jan,
That you so much for taking the time to update us about your parents’ journey. Gary has been an inspiration and encouragement to me and to so many others. I remember with a chuckle a comment Gary made when he, Chris McCluskey and I were doing a coaching presentation at a CAPS conference. I had mentioned about looking forward to retirement and Gary interrupted me and said “Young man, there is no such thing as retirement, it’s re-firement!”. And Gary has so lived out this axiom in many, many ways. He has lived with passion, humility, integrity, and joy! My prayers for you and for your parents that God will fill and bless each of your families through His Holy Spirit. Please give my best to your father when you have an opportunity.
Dear Jan,
Thank you very much for the update. So much appreciated. As a student with Gary at TEDS in Chicago in the late 80’s and then continued contact it has been a privilege knowing your mom and dad. We last met in their home 2005 but have kept contact until a couple of years ago. When I last spring was a visiting prof at TEDS it was actually scheduled to meet with Gary – but the pandemic interrupted and I had to return to my home country Sweden. I wish there would be a way to stay connected. If you please could send greetings from me and my wife Christina to Gary it would be great. If possible I would much appreciate if you could return on my mailadress. We will keep praying for Julie and Gary in this situation in need.
With love,
Lars & Christina
I would veru much appreciate a continued connection. I have been looking for ways to reconnect with Gary and was so sad that it all did not work due to the pandemic.
Lars-Göran S.
> 5 jan. 2021 kl. 05:55 skrev People Builder’s Blog : > > >
Thank you for providing this update. When I noticed the new post, I was quite excited. My quick assumption was that Gary was providing an update on the revision of his big yellow book. I know that he has been working on that project over the past year. This one volume handbook has been a useful and fruitful global counseling resource. Its upcoming revision will be most welcome.
The news of his illness and setback is hard to accept. Gary is always so active! When we get together for a meal, he is usually coming back from the gym! Thus, it is hard to picture him this weak and restrained. We will pray for him. I will update my fellow faculty at TEDS where he is still remembered fondly.
My plan for 2020 was to visit Gary’s library at SETECA where I was scheduled to teach. Alas, that trip has now been rescheduled twice. I did promise to bring him a personal update upon my return. Perhaps that teaching assignment will take place this coming April. Tell him that I still plan to bring him a personal report from students and his friends there in Guatemala.
Tell Gary that I look forward to doing another breakfast together in the days ahead. May the Lord give him strength and patience during this period when he is so cut off from the people he loves. He needs people as much as he needs those antibiotics! My prediction is that as much as he is able, he will be engaging those in the hospital around him and blessing them with his empathy and warmth.
Dad certainly isn’t one to sit still. These days post stroke, he doesn’t have much of a choice. Our prayer is that once he recovers from this infection, he will be back on his feet again. Are you visiting Sergio and Linda Mijangos in Guatemala?
jan
Yes Jan, the plan for April is for me to teach in the counseling program in Guatemala.. I have not meet Sergio and Linda yet but we have been in regular communication. Gary has been a coach for me on teaching overseas. I have had wonderful opportunities and now lasting friendships. I do understand that Sergio spent time in your home and I can tell that he loves your family by his comments.
Of course, this travel/teaching plan may be delayed once again. Still, I would love the joy of sharing my experience with students and the Mijangos with your father.
Blessings,
Steve
Thank you for keeping us posted, Jan. I knew your mom and dad through a friend, Yakub Susabda, a former student of your dad back in TEDS over 40 years ago. Yakub invited your mom and dad to Indonesia to teach and to give seminars in Indonesia several times in the 90s. And, that’s when i met your mom and dad. What impressed me the most about them was being in that stature, how personable and humble they were. I can’t count how many times we sat and ate together and just talked about a lot of different things. Please tell your dad, i will be praying for him and Julie. Please also tell him that his labor in the Lord has not been in vain and we all look forward to hearing and learning from him again.
Julie,
Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you . . . I’m SO glad to hear from you and about your folks.
It seemed like Gary just dropped off the map. I sent a couple of emails but received no response.
I asked our mutual friend Dick Mohline about him and he had no idea what had happened.
Your dad is a giant . . . a valued and influential man-of-God, a friend and a colleague that has impacted my life and so many others in so many ways.
PLEASE make sure that I stay on the mailing list and let Gary know of my love, respect and continuing prayers.
Blessings!
I want to confirm but it takes me to a WordPress sight and tries to get me to sign up for WordPress . . . not interested . . . please just send me the newsletter by email.
Hello Jan,
Thank you so much for the update on your parents. My family and I pray for your parents regularly, if not daily, and we will continue doing so. I last spoke with Gary in June 2020 and I’m saddened to hear about his health issues that have occurred since. Please let him know that we are thinking of and praying for him and Julie. If possible, would you be able to email me personally please? Thank you.
Hi Philip, I recall hearing your name in my home before. Please feel free to email me at jan@whitestoneresources.com and I will be sure to respond. Blessings,jan
Dear Jan, thank you greatly for sharing this update on Gary and Julie! I was wondering how they have been going through the pandemic. I had a unique priviledge to meet them in Chicago and by God’s miraculous guidance even stayed at their home. Then we had an honor to welcome your parents at St. Petersburg Christian University! I also had a chance to meet them when they were staying in a special assitance residence. It is amazing to hear about them being in fullnes of life despite all the tests they are facing. We will be praying for them! Kind regards, Valerii Alikin, SPbCU president.
Thanks so much for your report on your dear dad. We had heard thru Jill & the Rudys that he was hospitalized & have prayed for him & will continue to do so. We are currently in AZ, as you probably guessed. Would love to get updates when you are able to send. God bless!
Dear Jan
Thanks so much for sending this moving update on how your parents are doing. Our heart goes out to them, and we will surely keep them in our prayers, especially in this time of Gary’s severe health crisis. May he experience God’s faithful love, comfort and healing grace in a special way! – And may the Lord also continue to strengthen you and your sister Lynn and family in your loving care for your parents and give you wisdom in all the daily decisions that need to be made.
We met your parents in the summer of 2001 right before we started our graduate studies at TEDS as foreign students from Germany. Gary and Julie sat right next to us in a church service where Gary was supposed to speak, and that is when a wonderful friendship with them started. We much appreciated their warm hospitality and have always loved the inspiring conversations with them: Gary’s astute perspectives on the latest trends and developments in the counseling and church world, and Julie’s very insightful observations about people and situations. We also fondly remember meeting you and your sister Lynn and family at a Thanksgiving Dinner at your parents’ house. We were thus delighted when we had the honor of returning favors when Gary and Julie visited Berlin in 2009. Especially Juri benefited tremendeously from Gary’s insights, encouragement, and network during his counseling psychology studies.
As so many of Gary and Julie’s friends have posted here, we have lost touch in the last few years. We thus very much appreciate your update and the opportunity to give support and love to Gary and Julie through prayer.
Gary, Thinking about you and Julie. We pray this last episode is short lived and you are back in PT with your fighting spirit. We are grateful for Jan’s news. Sorry I can’t bring tea and homemade biscuits. Harris and Emily
Jan, thanks so much for this update and for forwarding via e-mail. If able do pass our love and this greeting to Gary!
Gary, Anna and I are so thankful for you and Julie and your speaking into our lives through the years. What a friend, support and encourager you have been! You are in our prayers as you face this infection, and as you ask the Lord for restoration.
We are in Nairobi and have been through this year. We had the special privilege of Wesley with us through December and into January. He returns to start the spring term at Wheaton on Jan. 18th as he completes his junior year. We are thankful the pandemic has been just a bit retrained here, and are prayerful that it will remain so, as the vaccines seem a long ways off for East Africa yet!
Grace peace and love Gary and Julie! John, Anna and Wesley
Julie: I was a student of your Dad’s at Trinity and I have always considered myself a student of his ever since. He has been a role model of integrity, loyalty, intelligence, spiritual formation, humor and compassion. You are right. He is, in Bob Dylan’s words, “forever young” in spirit. I am so thankful for this update. I am a better man because of Gary Collins. Please keep us informed.
Dear Jan, Thanks for the update on your parents. Gary has been a great inspiration and encourager in my life. I recall my first conversation with him back in 1996 when I was doing sexual addiction counseling with AFA (along with Mark Laaser), and Gary sincerely asked me how it was for a young single guy to be talking about sex all day. We had a funny conversation after that, as you could imagine, with me telling him that I was reminded of the consequences of certain choices every day. Gary wrote me some letters in the years after that, always encouraging me…and I appreciated it! Later I took the Christian Coaching class with him at PSI/Richmont, which was great. I have also used his books over the last 25 years as I have been teaching graduate counseling. Please tell Gary that his good work for the Lord has born fruit (Psalm 1:3) in my life and the lives of those I teach. Please tell Gary that I am praying for his peace, comfort, and healing…and if I do not see him again on this side of heaven, I look forward to seeing him again with the Lord. Gary has been a sincere friend to me and shown me kindness before I had a Ph.D. or any accomplishments. He was kind to me when he had nothing to gain except being more like Christ…and he did that. God bless you Gary! In Christ, Kenyon C.Knapp, Ph.D., LPC
Dear Jan,
Thank you so much for the update about your beloved parents’ condition. Yes me and Esther (my wife) feel so close to them just like brother and sister. Your parents have been genuine and sincere friends to me and Esther. They have shown us kindness, love, passion, humility and integrity. We want them to know that their labor in the counseling in the world and especially in Indonesia have not been in vain. Please tell them that we love them so much. We are all praying for them.
Jan, would you mind to give us your bank account number?
WOW! Wow! I was searching through Google for Dr. Gary R. Collins biography when I stumbled on this! I work as a librarian for my local Church library, and also as Assistant Editor for my Church (The Christian Brethren Church Int’l, Lagos, Nigeria) magazine. While I was checking the books on our library shelf for authors who I could use their biography on a column in our magazine that we call “Profile” I saw his book “Christian Counselling which was purchased about two years ago for the Church library and I was like, “This is it! I would like to use the profile of this author!”
So I began to search on Google for his biography and found something about him in http://www.garycollins.org. I tried other websites but found more of advertisements of his books. I kept searching because I needed more content, and that’s how I stumbled on his blogpost page here!
Still wondering why there was a long gap of four years between the last two posts, I decided to click on the video and viola!
Although I had never known about him or even read his books, the testimonies I have read here about him has really inspired me and I would begin to read his books. I was looking for a Christian (man or woman) whose story would show a life of loyalty, because that’s the theme of the current edition of our magazine– many comments here have said that about him.
Sir, I pray that our Father and great God, Jesus Christ the sun of righteousness, will arise with healing on His wings and heal you of every pain and disease, and give you joy and peace. I pray that you will be encouraged to know that lives have been greatly influenced by your work and that you have fought a good fight of faith. I pray that God will heal your wife too and give her peace; and strengthen every member of your family as they care for you both.
Thank you Mrs. Jan for this update. My family and I will kept you all in our prayers.
Jane Izundu-Okoh
Lagos, Nigeria.
Hi Jan, thank you so much for the update on both your father and mother. In a very circuitous and indirect way, God blessed me with running across Michael Pearson. When we both realized that we were associated with Trinity I told him that one of my favorite instructors there (more than 30 years ago) was Gary Collins. I very fondly remember a lot of breakfast and coffee times with Gary at the Denny’s on Milwaukee Avenue. Gary is not only an awesome teacher, writer, and leader, but he is also a friend and a mentor. He left a wonderfully indelible mark on me and I thank God for him. With all the Covid concerns and visitation very limited and not being able to see my own mother, I can imagine how frustrating it is for you, but truly appreciate your update. My thoughts and prayers are to our wonderful and awesome Savior for your parents, you and the entire Collins family. Brian
It has not been easy. There was a time when he got so bad that the hospital actually called me to come and see him but he’s a fighter. I’ll do another update soon. Jan
Hi Jan,
Thank you for providing this update, I am praying for you and your family during this time.
I am a starting my career in Christian counselling. The Lord led me to your dad’s book Christian Counselling 3rd edition and I am the book to guide me along this path. I aspire to mentor , teach and write on the topic of Christian counselling , and knowing about how God used your dad in this field provides me with so much hope.
Hi Jan, thank you very much for this update. I was extremely fortunate to be asked by your father to be his teaching assistant at Regent University in VA Beach. I was also able to talk him into speaking at a psychology conference that I founded at the school along with a couple of friends. I treasure my relationship with him. He reached out through social media recently I was/am hoping that we’ll still be able to reconnect at some point. I regret that I was never able to make it up for the Gary Collins tour of Chicago that others have mentioned. Please tell him that I love him and I’m praying for him, and please include me in future updates if you’re willing.
Ryan
Hi Jan,
Thank you for that update. We may have not met, but your dad and mom have been very kind to me. Your dad’s books were my introduction into the world of Christian Counseling and I was fortunate enough to even meet him as a counseling grad. student at Richmond Graduate University down in Atlanta, Ga sometime around 2007-2009. Your Dad and I got along great, he invited me to visit him in Chicago, and as the ever curious grad-student I took him up on his offer. We had many inspirational chats and I remember fondly going to a symphony concert with him and your mom.
I spent 10 years working with a number of therapy clients and often incorporated much of what I learned from Gary especially with my focus on counseling clergy. As it happens, our paths diverged with time and I’ve since made a transition into a whole other career, but still some of those principles have carried over. Today he crossed my mind. I was planning to travel to Chicago for work in the fall and thought of possibly treating him to a breakfast (as he used to do for me) or at the very least contacting him to express my gratitude for taking the time to listen to me and share his wisdom. I wish the best for you and your family and would appreciate any updates on his condition that he’s willing to share.
People Builder's Blog 
Oh, I so appreciate this update and the things you shared. Personally, I’ve really missed your Dad’s regular blog posts which were so encouraging to me as a new coach. And I still have his coaching textbook. I remembered him sharing about your mother’s illness in a prior post so I assumed he was quite busy caring for her. But there has been a void not hearing from him for 4 years. I want him to know he is greatly missed in the coaching/leadership community. I will be praying for him and your mom too. I look forward to hearing more wisdom from your Dad in some way via blog or whatever. I’m sure the past 4 years have given him much life experience that could be passed on to the younger generations. I AM LISTENING, GARY. What do you have to say to us? Blessings to you and praying your hospital stay will be shorter than anticipated. Sheryl Bullock
Thank you Sheryl for your kind reply. I was granted a visit with dad tomorrow and I will relay your message to him then. I’m sure it will be encouraging and a great motivator for him to get back on his feet again. Blessings, jan
Thank you, Jan. Your mom and dad are near and dear to my heart! Gary has been a #1 mentor to so many!!! I remember the first semester he came to Liberty University. He was flying in from Chicago and then back home to teach classes on Monday’s and Tuesday’s. My dad encouraged me to sign up for his class, and I did my best to audit all the others after that. His influence still inspires me to this day. He is in my prayers! Your mom, Jan, too! God knows and God cares – and God has so much more in store for all who believe!!! Praying, hoping, and wishing the best!!! Love and prayers, Tim Behrens
Thank you Tim. I will relay the message. Blessings.
Thanks for this update. Your father has been a blessing to me for many years. May Jesus Christ shepherd him and your mom through this difficult time and give them joy and peace.
God is gracious and the Master Healer! Jan
Thank you Jan,
I had the privilege of sitting next to your dad at a Christian Counsellors workshop in Sydney Australia some 18 years or so ago. His presence was extra special to me at that time signifying the Fathers love. When I saw the blog email just then was excited that he was starting up again and to hear what has been happening.. Anyhow the news is sad but his presence will live on in my heart. God bless you and your family as you continue to care for your parents. I appreciate you sharing the news
Nady Radic – Psychologist Canberra Australia
How fun to hear all of the ways that dad has been present in peoples lives all around the world. Thank you for your sharing. Blessings,
jan
Thanks for this Update on my friend Gary. It’s been many years since our initial contact abs later at Conferences. Gary helped me so much as a young Pastor. When we initially met at El Kanna in Victoria at a Conference he was so encouraging. I am retired( ??)now but still have great memories of his personality and teachings. Having only been thinking of he and your mum Julie recently wondering how they are. I am 81 now but still ‘do a bit of ministry. Every Blessing Sincerely John Mills Qld Australia.
Thank you for your message. I will relay your message to him.
Blessings,
jan
What a beautiful, poignant update about a godly man who has had a profound influence on so many of us, Jan. (You do your dad proud, by the way.) I’m writing this from my office in the Seattle, WA area and can glance over to see your dad’s books on my bookshelves. As an adjunct professor, ministry professional, and certified coach, I’ve used these books many tones, both for personal growth and and also as classroom texts to teach others.
All that to say, I am one of a countless number who owe your dad a deep debt of gratitude for all his years of the faithful pouring out of his many gifts and the pouring in of his gentle-strong wisdom to my own life and calling, especially through his writing.
Please thank him for me (ditto for my minister/professor husband, Don) and assure him of our fervent prayers for a quicker-than-expected, complete recovery. Praying for your whole family, Jan.
With a grateful heart,
Dr. Jodi Detrick
I read your message to him yesterday. He smiled.
Thank you so much for update. Gary will remember me. I’m Dr Don Lichi from Emerge Ministries in Akron. Ohio. I visited w mom and dad 2x at their home and talked w dad a couple years ago by phone.. simply a great man, courageous and visionary pioneer! Please give my greetings. Dr Don Lichi
Sent from my iPhone
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You got it!
Thank you so much Jan. I wrote a quick note on your YouTube channel. God bless
Sent from my iPhone
Thank you for this update. I warms my heart to see you on video my beautiful friend. I have been praying for your dear parents since your mom received her diagnosis and have been fervently praying for you, dear, Dr. Collins, since your stroke and continue to pray for you for complete healing. You are loved. How thankful I am to have met you all those years ago when Jan and I were at LU. Your smile is always so contagious and you never met a stranger. Always one to help and care for others. It is my honor to know you and pray for you. Love to you, Caroline Bell Grossman
Love you Caroline!!
Thank you for this update Jan. You wouldn’t remember, but I actually had the pleasure of meeting you a number of years ago when I was visiting and staying with your dad for a few days. He and I initially bonded over some of our shared Canadian heritage (I grew up not far from your dad, we both went to McMaster University, etc.).
The impact that not only your dad but your mom also has had on countless people is incredible (in addition to the memories I have of time with your dad, I also have fond memories of sitting in their kitchen having encouraging and thoughtful conversations with your mom).
You thanked us in the video for allowing your dad to play meaningful roles in our lives. I am sure that all who have had the true pleasure of knowing your dad would agree that it is us who are thankful. Thankful for the authentic and humble man that he is. Thankful for the many ways he has poured himself into our lives. Thankful for how he has come alongside countless people – both in person and through his tireless work – to encourage us, help us discover how and where God is leading, and not only teach but also model how we are to love and support others.
I haven’t seen your dad in years. And that makes me sad. What I would give to sit with him in his office or go to the local bakery for coffee. To update him on all that has happened since we last met. To once again go on the Gary Collins tour of Chicago. Or most of all to pray with him.
I’ll end this lengthy response now by saying that there are people like myself literally all over the world who are praying for your dad, your mom, and the rest of your family. And we will continue to do so. For healing, for encouragement, and for a beautiful and tangible sense of God’s presence.
Please keep the prayers coming. And maybe one day, you and dad can grab lunch at the local Corner Bakery.
Hi Jan, This is Paul Luedtke. I work with Youth for Christ in Switzerland/Europe. I was a student of Gary’s in the early ’80’s. I was part of a work group that helped critique “the big yellow book” and its ancillaries. I spent many hours at your home in Kildeer. I’m pretty sure we met once. When he came to Switzerland, I was with him at a conference where he was a speaker. I’m so glad for your update. I’ve been trying to get a hold of Gary for quite awhile and now I know why I’ve not been able to. I’m sorry for the difficult times that you’re going through. Please let Gary know that I think about him quite regularly and am thankful for his godly influence in my life. Thanks to him and what he did at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, I have been able to offer psychological and pastoral counseling to many young people and adults. Thank you for taking the time to do this great service for us who have known and loved Gary. Our thought and prayers are with you. Please do keep in touch. Grace and peace,
I will relay the message. I wish I had known that you were in Switzerland. I had the pleasure of visiting Geneva and Montreux as well as Paris in the fall of 2019. What I wouldn’t give to be back there right now. Next time, I’ll make sure to look you up. I remember your name. Blessings.
Hi Jan, When you get back, please do look us up. Paulluedtke@earthlink.net. +41 78 654 9175
Dear Jan, thank you for your update! We will pray for your mother and father. Back in the early 70s I had the privilege of being a student of your father’s at Trinity, and have been blessed by his ministry in many ways (books, his blog, etc.) ever since. We first met when we attended the Evangelical Free Church there near Deerfield and my wife and I had the enjoyable privilege of caring for you and your sister a few times when your parents spent a few evenings away. I do miss your father’s blogs, and if you would ever feel inclined to pick up doing that I would love to be on your mailing list. Henry and Mary Virkler
Of course I remember you! Many years ago, I remember your name being warmly spoken of in our home. Blessings to you and thank you for your prayers. jan
Thank You Jan for the update on your family. You don’t know me but I have used “the big yellow book” since getting my Biblical Counseling masters in 2014. Through that book your dad influences my practice where ever I am. Right now I am in a small town in Northern Wisconsin (pop. 1100 or so). For the past couple years I have been co-facilitating a monthly Grief Support group with the pastor of the Lutheran Church in our town. Thank you for loving and supporting your parents as they give to so many. Peace and strength to you as you walk through this journey with your parents. -Carla Joseph
So glad to hear that the BYB has benefitted the work you are doing. That book is definitely one of dad’s greatest legacies. Blessings,
jan
Thank you, Jan, for this update on your father. I am praying for him and his recovery. I’ve known of his prolific work and contribution to the field of Christian counseling from the beginning of my professional career back in 1982.
Beginning with “How to be a People Helper” “How to Help People Grow” and of course Comprehensive Guide to Christian Counseling which is recommended reading in a course I teach online with Gateway Seminary here in California. I was blessed to have met your dad at a conference were we sat next to each other over a meal. He was gracious and I recall him telling me a story of a trip he had made to either Mexico or one of the Central American countries and the excellent service that he had receive from the food server. I was touched by his care for this individual that he had just met. That and so much more is his legacy – to give and serve others through his writing, teaching, and mentoring.
Sam Leong
Yep, sounds like my dad. Blessings,
jan
Jan,
That you so much for taking the time to update us about your parents’ journey. Gary has been an inspiration and encouragement to me and to so many others. I remember with a chuckle a comment Gary made when he, Chris McCluskey and I were doing a coaching presentation at a CAPS conference. I had mentioned about looking forward to retirement and Gary interrupted me and said “Young man, there is no such thing as retirement, it’s re-firement!”. And Gary has so lived out this axiom in many, many ways. He has lived with passion, humility, integrity, and joy! My prayers for you and for your parents that God will fill and bless each of your families through His Holy Spirit. Please give my best to your father when you have an opportunity.
You got it! Jan
Dear Jan,
Thank you very much for the update. So much appreciated. As a student with Gary at TEDS in Chicago in the late 80’s and then continued contact it has been a privilege knowing your mom and dad. We last met in their home 2005 but have kept contact until a couple of years ago. When I last spring was a visiting prof at TEDS it was actually scheduled to meet with Gary – but the pandemic interrupted and I had to return to my home country Sweden. I wish there would be a way to stay connected. If you please could send greetings from me and my wife Christina to Gary it would be great. If possible I would much appreciate if you could return on my mailadress. We will keep praying for Julie and Gary in this situation in need.
With love,
Lars & Christina
THank you for your prayers. Maybe once this pandemic is over and dad’s health improves, you can connect once again.
jn
Dear Jan,
I would veru much appreciate a continued connection. I have been looking for ways to reconnect with Gary and was so sad that it all did not work due to the pandemic.
Lars-Göran S.
> 5 jan. 2021 kl. 05:55 skrev People Builder’s Blog : > > >
Greetings Jan:
Thank you for providing this update. When I noticed the new post, I was quite excited. My quick assumption was that Gary was providing an update on the revision of his big yellow book. I know that he has been working on that project over the past year. This one volume handbook has been a useful and fruitful global counseling resource. Its upcoming revision will be most welcome.
The news of his illness and setback is hard to accept. Gary is always so active! When we get together for a meal, he is usually coming back from the gym! Thus, it is hard to picture him this weak and restrained. We will pray for him. I will update my fellow faculty at TEDS where he is still remembered fondly.
My plan for 2020 was to visit Gary’s library at SETECA where I was scheduled to teach. Alas, that trip has now been rescheduled twice. I did promise to bring him a personal update upon my return. Perhaps that teaching assignment will take place this coming April. Tell him that I still plan to bring him a personal report from students and his friends there in Guatemala.
Tell Gary that I look forward to doing another breakfast together in the days ahead. May the Lord give him strength and patience during this period when he is so cut off from the people he loves. He needs people as much as he needs those antibiotics! My prediction is that as much as he is able, he will be engaging those in the hospital around him and blessing them with his empathy and warmth.
Thanks for the update. We will pray.
Steve Greggo
Dad certainly isn’t one to sit still. These days post stroke, he doesn’t have much of a choice. Our prayer is that once he recovers from this infection, he will be back on his feet again. Are you visiting Sergio and Linda Mijangos in Guatemala?
jan
Yes Jan, the plan for April is for me to teach in the counseling program in Guatemala.. I have not meet Sergio and Linda yet but we have been in regular communication. Gary has been a coach for me on teaching overseas. I have had wonderful opportunities and now lasting friendships. I do understand that Sergio spent time in your home and I can tell that he loves your family by his comments.
Of course, this travel/teaching plan may be delayed once again. Still, I would love the joy of sharing my experience with students and the Mijangos with your father.
Blessings,
Steve
Thank you for keeping us posted, Jan. I knew your mom and dad through a friend, Yakub Susabda, a former student of your dad back in TEDS over 40 years ago. Yakub invited your mom and dad to Indonesia to teach and to give seminars in Indonesia several times in the 90s. And, that’s when i met your mom and dad. What impressed me the most about them was being in that stature, how personable and humble they were. I can’t count how many times we sat and ate together and just talked about a lot of different things. Please tell your dad, i will be praying for him and Julie. Please also tell him that his labor in the Lord has not been in vain and we all look forward to hearing and learning from him again.
Hi Paul, I will send along the message, jan
Julie,
Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you . . . I’m SO glad to hear from you and about your folks.
It seemed like Gary just dropped off the map. I sent a couple of emails but received no response.
I asked our mutual friend Dick Mohline about him and he had no idea what had happened.
Your dad is a giant . . . a valued and influential man-of-God, a friend and a colleague that has impacted my life and so many others in so many ways.
PLEASE make sure that I stay on the mailing list and let Gary know of my love, respect and continuing prayers.
Blessings!
I want to confirm but it takes me to a WordPress sight and tries to get me to sign up for WordPress . . . not interested . . . please just send me the newsletter by email.
I hope to give a positive report about dad in a month or so. Blessings to you and Dick, two names that I am very familiar with. jan
Hello Jan,
Thank you so much for the update on your parents. My family and I pray for your parents regularly, if not daily, and we will continue doing so. I last spoke with Gary in June 2020 and I’m saddened to hear about his health issues that have occurred since. Please let him know that we are thinking of and praying for him and Julie. If possible, would you be able to email me personally please? Thank you.
With prayers and love,
Phillips Hwang and family
Hi Philip, I recall hearing your name in my home before. Please feel free to email me at jan@whitestoneresources.com and I will be sure to respond. Blessings,jan
Dear Jan, thank you greatly for sharing this update on Gary and Julie! I was wondering how they have been going through the pandemic. I had a unique priviledge to meet them in Chicago and by God’s miraculous guidance even stayed at their home. Then we had an honor to welcome your parents at St. Petersburg Christian University! I also had a chance to meet them when they were staying in a special assitance residence. It is amazing to hear about them being in fullnes of life despite all the tests they are facing. We will be praying for them! Kind regards, Valerii Alikin, SPbCU president.
Thank you for your kind words and continued prayers,
jan
Thanks so much for your report on your dear dad. We had heard thru Jill & the Rudys that he was hospitalized & have prayed for him & will continue to do so. We are currently in AZ, as you probably guessed. Would love to get updates when you are able to send. God bless!
Dear Jan
Thanks so much for sending this moving update on how your parents are doing. Our heart goes out to them, and we will surely keep them in our prayers, especially in this time of Gary’s severe health crisis. May he experience God’s faithful love, comfort and healing grace in a special way! – And may the Lord also continue to strengthen you and your sister Lynn and family in your loving care for your parents and give you wisdom in all the daily decisions that need to be made.
We met your parents in the summer of 2001 right before we started our graduate studies at TEDS as foreign students from Germany. Gary and Julie sat right next to us in a church service where Gary was supposed to speak, and that is when a wonderful friendship with them started. We much appreciated their warm hospitality and have always loved the inspiring conversations with them: Gary’s astute perspectives on the latest trends and developments in the counseling and church world, and Julie’s very insightful observations about people and situations. We also fondly remember meeting you and your sister Lynn and family at a Thanksgiving Dinner at your parents’ house. We were thus delighted when we had the honor of returning favors when Gary and Julie visited Berlin in 2009. Especially Juri benefited tremendeously from Gary’s insights, encouragement, and network during his counseling psychology studies.
As so many of Gary and Julie’s friends have posted here, we have lost touch in the last few years. We thus very much appreciate your update and the opportunity to give support and love to Gary and Julie through prayer.
Gary, Thinking about you and Julie. We pray this last episode is short lived and you are back in PT with your fighting spirit. We are grateful for Jan’s news. Sorry I can’t bring tea and homemade biscuits. Harris and Emily
Jan, thanks so much for this update and for forwarding via e-mail. If able do pass our love and this greeting to Gary!
Gary, Anna and I are so thankful for you and Julie and your speaking into our lives through the years. What a friend, support and encourager you have been! You are in our prayers as you face this infection, and as you ask the Lord for restoration.
We are in Nairobi and have been through this year. We had the special privilege of Wesley with us through December and into January. He returns to start the spring term at Wheaton on Jan. 18th as he completes his junior year. We are thankful the pandemic has been just a bit retrained here, and are prayerful that it will remain so, as the vaccines seem a long ways off for East Africa yet!
Grace peace and love Gary and Julie! John, Anna and Wesley
Julie: I was a student of your Dad’s at Trinity and I have always considered myself a student of his ever since. He has been a role model of integrity, loyalty, intelligence, spiritual formation, humor and compassion. You are right. He is, in Bob Dylan’s words, “forever young” in spirit. I am so thankful for this update. I am a better man because of Gary Collins. Please keep us informed.
Dear Jan, Thanks for the update on your parents. Gary has been a great inspiration and encourager in my life. I recall my first conversation with him back in 1996 when I was doing sexual addiction counseling with AFA (along with Mark Laaser), and Gary sincerely asked me how it was for a young single guy to be talking about sex all day. We had a funny conversation after that, as you could imagine, with me telling him that I was reminded of the consequences of certain choices every day. Gary wrote me some letters in the years after that, always encouraging me…and I appreciated it! Later I took the Christian Coaching class with him at PSI/Richmont, which was great. I have also used his books over the last 25 years as I have been teaching graduate counseling. Please tell Gary that his good work for the Lord has born fruit (Psalm 1:3) in my life and the lives of those I teach. Please tell Gary that I am praying for his peace, comfort, and healing…and if I do not see him again on this side of heaven, I look forward to seeing him again with the Lord. Gary has been a sincere friend to me and shown me kindness before I had a Ph.D. or any accomplishments. He was kind to me when he had nothing to gain except being more like Christ…and he did that. God bless you Gary! In Christ, Kenyon C.Knapp, Ph.D., LPC
Dear Jan,
Thank you so much for the update about your beloved parents’ condition. Yes me and Esther (my wife) feel so close to them just like brother and sister. Your parents have been genuine and sincere friends to me and Esther. They have shown us kindness, love, passion, humility and integrity. We want them to know that their labor in the counseling in the world and especially in Indonesia have not been in vain. Please tell them that we love them so much. We are all praying for them.
Jan, would you mind to give us your bank account number?
WOW! Wow! I was searching through Google for Dr. Gary R. Collins biography when I stumbled on this! I work as a librarian for my local Church library, and also as Assistant Editor for my Church (The Christian Brethren Church Int’l, Lagos, Nigeria) magazine. While I was checking the books on our library shelf for authors who I could use their biography on a column in our magazine that we call “Profile” I saw his book “Christian Counselling which was purchased about two years ago for the Church library and I was like, “This is it! I would like to use the profile of this author!”
So I began to search on Google for his biography and found something about him in http://www.garycollins.org. I tried other websites but found more of advertisements of his books. I kept searching because I needed more content, and that’s how I stumbled on his blogpost page here!
Still wondering why there was a long gap of four years between the last two posts, I decided to click on the video and viola!
Although I had never known about him or even read his books, the testimonies I have read here about him has really inspired me and I would begin to read his books. I was looking for a Christian (man or woman) whose story would show a life of loyalty, because that’s the theme of the current edition of our magazine– many comments here have said that about him.
Sir, I pray that our Father and great God, Jesus Christ the sun of righteousness, will arise with healing on His wings and heal you of every pain and disease, and give you joy and peace. I pray that you will be encouraged to know that lives have been greatly influenced by your work and that you have fought a good fight of faith. I pray that God will heal your wife too and give her peace; and strengthen every member of your family as they care for you both.
Thank you Mrs. Jan for this update. My family and I will kept you all in our prayers.
Jane Izundu-Okoh
Lagos, Nigeria.
Sheryl,
It was a blessing to me today to listen your video update on your father. Thanks so much for sharing. Praying for you and your family.
Hi Jan, thank you so much for the update on both your father and mother. In a very circuitous and indirect way, God blessed me with running across Michael Pearson. When we both realized that we were associated with Trinity I told him that one of my favorite instructors there (more than 30 years ago) was Gary Collins. I very fondly remember a lot of breakfast and coffee times with Gary at the Denny’s on Milwaukee Avenue. Gary is not only an awesome teacher, writer, and leader, but he is also a friend and a mentor. He left a wonderfully indelible mark on me and I thank God for him. With all the Covid concerns and visitation very limited and not being able to see my own mother, I can imagine how frustrating it is for you, but truly appreciate your update. My thoughts and prayers are to our wonderful and awesome Savior for your parents, you and the entire Collins family. Brian
It has not been easy. There was a time when he got so bad that the hospital actually called me to come and see him but he’s a fighter. I’ll do another update soon. Jan
Thank you for your update. Will continue to keep Gary and you all in my prayers.
Hi Jan,
Thank you for providing this update, I am praying for you and your family during this time.
I am a starting my career in Christian counselling. The Lord led me to your dad’s book Christian Counselling 3rd edition and I am the book to guide me along this path. I aspire to mentor , teach and write on the topic of Christian counselling , and knowing about how God used your dad in this field provides me with so much hope.
Hi Jan, thank you very much for this update. I was extremely fortunate to be asked by your father to be his teaching assistant at Regent University in VA Beach. I was also able to talk him into speaking at a psychology conference that I founded at the school along with a couple of friends. I treasure my relationship with him. He reached out through social media recently I was/am hoping that we’ll still be able to reconnect at some point. I regret that I was never able to make it up for the Gary Collins tour of Chicago that others have mentioned. Please tell him that I love him and I’m praying for him, and please include me in future updates if you’re willing.
Ryan
Hi Jan,
Thank you for that update. We may have not met, but your dad and mom have been very kind to me. Your dad’s books were my introduction into the world of Christian Counseling and I was fortunate enough to even meet him as a counseling grad. student at Richmond Graduate University down in Atlanta, Ga sometime around 2007-2009. Your Dad and I got along great, he invited me to visit him in Chicago, and as the ever curious grad-student I took him up on his offer. We had many inspirational chats and I remember fondly going to a symphony concert with him and your mom.
I spent 10 years working with a number of therapy clients and often incorporated much of what I learned from Gary especially with my focus on counseling clergy. As it happens, our paths diverged with time and I’ve since made a transition into a whole other career, but still some of those principles have carried over. Today he crossed my mind. I was planning to travel to Chicago for work in the fall and thought of possibly treating him to a breakfast (as he used to do for me) or at the very least contacting him to express my gratitude for taking the time to listen to me and share his wisdom. I wish the best for you and your family and would appreciate any updates on his condition that he’s willing to share.
God Bless,
Kevin Albertini