FBCTI News/Events

House Bill 2481

Wonderful news for Christian Counselors, Pastors and Church Staff! Please take a few moments to review an absolutely incredible turn of events for Kingdom opportunity.

On September 1, 1997, the Texas Legislature passed into law House Bill 2481. What is House Bill 2481? It is an act of law that allows "faith-based" substance abuse treatment providers to make application to the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (TACADA) for an exemption from licensure. In other words, properly certified Christians may now legally counsel and minister to families with addiction problems. Springing from this new law has come an open door to counsel people with all forms of life-controlling problems. After all, the only real solution to the horrible bondage of substance abuse and other societal dilemmas is when Jesus Christ changes the heart. Our State leadership is now coming to grips with that fact. Further, Governor George W. Bush took the advice of his "Task Force on Faith-Based Community Service Groups," and urged Christians to privately form a certification process whereby we can monitor the best training and performance standards possible.

The State did not want to do that, nor could they. Having said those two things, let me to introduce you to The Faith-Based Counselor Training Institute. FBCTI is a Texas chartered non-profit religious corporation that operates as a proprietary school under an exemption from The Texas Work-Force Commission. We are one of the first "faith-based" certification entities in Texas history. The curriculum is an intense 16 clock hours and includes some of the most practical Biblical counseling principles available anywhere using our exclusive model of Restorative Therapy. 

The development of this concept has already afforded faith-based certification to hundreds of prison ministry volunteers, chaplains, parole and probation officers, law enforcement and emergency service personnel, school counselors, chemical dependency counselors, pastors and staff, as well as general practice professional counselors. This valuable training has given practical tools for these to go into their own particular fields of service and do the work of the ministry with much more confidence and authority.

The State of Texas has given the "faith community" a wide open door and it is absolutely essential for the Body of Christ as a whole to step up to the plate and take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity. Enclosed is more information about who we are and what we do. Make copies of anything you need to give to someone that you think might benefit from this training. Call if you need applications. We are looking forward to your response.