Terry Ewing
After serving 14 years as a United Methodist Minister, Terry started Plumbline Ministries based upon his own personal history of need for emotional and relational healing and growth.
For years Terry needed counseling and did not even know it. He says that even if he had known of his need, he wouldn’t have known where to go and could not have paid for it. This is why he started Plumbline with the idea of partnering with local churches to extend their pastoral ministries through counseling. The pastors can now tell their members, when they need counseling, that they have a place they can go that won’t cause them a financial problem.
Terry teaches Soul-Care Training to those who are called and/or gifted for counseling others. This course consists of six semesters of training; each semester is twelve weeks. After completing at least two semesters of Soul-Care Training, a participant may apply to become an intern at Plumbline. These interns receive extra training and sit in on appointments with our current counselors. Eventually, our interns may choose to join the staff of Plumbline and conduct their counseling ministry with us!
Terry is blessed to be married since 1979, to have five grown children, and seven grandchildren (so far)! He loves having the privilege of offering counseling, teaching, and training together with his wonderful staff! He has published multiple books to date; Stickman Theology, Stickman’s Battles, and The Divine Delight, Stickman's Prayers and Stickman's Family.
Favorite Bible Verse
Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God."
Marion Fuller
Marion grew up outside of Chicago and is the eldest of 5 children. Her mom died suddenly when she was fourteen. During this difficult time, she began attending a “Young Life” program and was introduced to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. She came to Tulsa when she was seventeen to attend college and loved the city so much that she has made it her home ever since.
It was 1995 when a culmination of life experiences and “out of control” circumstances left her in desperate need of HELP. Plumbline Ministries had just been”birthed” by Terry Ewing (founder), when she sought counseling. It was through two years counseling, much healing and growth that God began revealing a new path for her life. After a two year biblical counseling course and internship with Terry, she became a pastoral counselor at Plumbline in 1999. In December 2014 she became ordained as a pastoral counselor. Marion has continued to be inspired by her life verse, 2 Cor. 1:3-4, comforting through pastoral care in the counseling office, through teaching Boundaries classes in the past and currently Codependency classes.
Favorite Bible Verse
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Amplified… “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement), 4. Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God”.
Sue Merrill
Out of a desperate need to understand why life felt so complicated and brokenhearted, I began to search and understand how God integrated the mind, spirit, and soul of people. I learned that my childhood traumas affected my view of my own identity, which in turn directly affected my relationship dynamics. I received counseling off and on for several years in my early marriage years, which helped, but when I came to Plumbline, the understanding of how these are integrated began to make sense.
Understanding God through the pastoral style of counseling helped me become free to relate to God and others. I desire to minister to others in the same way God and others have ministered to me. My passion to help others experience the same freedom has led me to full-time ministry as an ordained Pastoral Counselor.
Since I began in 2004, I have continued my education, receiving my Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, Master Level Splankna Practitioner, and many other trainings.
I am currently providing Pastoral Care to many of our counselees here at Plumbline. I have enjoyed teaching classes on Boundaries and Codependency. I love working with families as well as individuals. My heart’s desire is to connect with others and help them to be free from their own brokenness so they can pursue their passions.
Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not unto your own understanding, in all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.
This verse has guided my life since April 1, 1979. This is the day I believed Jesus to be my savior of my sins and, by His continued grace, the director of my life. My journey has led me down the road of a 38-year marriage to my late husband, Steve. We have three children and five grandchildren. I currently live in Tulsa, OK.
Numbers 6:24-26 The LORD bless you and keep you, The Lord make his face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Isaiah 48:17 "The LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says: I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good and leads you along the paths you should follow."
Fun Facts:
- I love to dance, especially Country Western and West Coast Swing. I also enjoy eating Mexican and Italian food, sewing (it actually relaxes me), reading books, hiking, walking, riding bikes, and watching a good movie!
- I love to laugh and have asked the Lord to help me appreciate the lighter side of things! (I can be way too serious!) I love the Lord and trust Him to continue to lead and guide me through the rest of my journey.
Favorite Bible Verse
Isaiah 61:1 NIV He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to
proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners"
Michelle Carpenter
As an ordained Pastoral Counselor, it is my joy to share in the healing journey of my counselees.
As a Master Splankna Practitioner, it is my privilege to lead my counselees to freedom from the trappings of the enemy.
As the Plumbline Boundaries teacher it is my delight to instruct others in Godly care of self and others.
May “My Story” give hope to all who read it.
The Lord’s hand has always been upon my life. (Ps. 139:5-5; 13-18) (Jer 29:11-13) Unlike some testimonials, mine is not a sudden, dramatic experience. It's like a thread in a tapestry being slowly and intricately woven through the fabric of my life.
When my mother abandoned me at six months of age, God provided a godly caregiver, my great aunt, for my formative years. This is where the Lord laid His foundation. (Pr 22:6)
When I was torn from her loving home at age five to live in a volatile and abusive environment, God's hand of protection was upon me. (Ps 116:5-6) What I suffered could have been much worse.
When the doctors gazed in amazement, asking why I had not broken from all the devastation of life, I too wondered why and even hoped that I would. But God placed His strength within me. (2 Sam 22:33) Satan tried furiously to harden my heart, but the Lord held my heart in the palm of His hand, keeping it soft and tender for the day of my calling. (Ps 27:5) And on that hot August day, at age fourteen, I gave Jesus my heart.
When I spent the next seven years living a life of survival and sin, God grace and mercy surrounded me.
(Ps 43:7) Nineteen years passed before I experienced the reality of an intimate relationship with Christ. Salvation was mine I knew, but something was still missing, what was this personal one-on-one friendship my beloved Aunt had always talked about? I wanted more and so at the age of thirty-three, I prayed for the Lord to speak to me, to bring His Word alive, to fill me with understanding and to teach me His voice. And as I asked, He answered and began to tell me great and unsearchable things I did not know. (Jer. 33:3)
Today, Jesus continues to reveal Himself to me and I marvel at the peace and joy He brings to my life. He is transforming me into His likeness and although I am far from perfect, I am determined to press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (Phil 3:12)
In December 2007, God called me to ministry through His word in Isaiah 61:1: “…He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted…” The Lord set before me a ministry that was the passion of my heart - a passion that had long since faded with failures and shattered dreams but God is the God of Resurrection and through my own healing journey, He brought back to life my passion for helping those that are drowning in their pain and have lost hope.
I cannot begin to describe how amazing it is to have a front row seat to the workings of God! I am deeply humbled and blessed that He invited me to partner with Him in His redemptive work.
Favorite Scripture
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Margo Hanne
Growing up outside of Chicago, I was the proverbial “middle child” of 3 girls. My early creative tendencies were encouraged, which led to a fun and rewarding art teaching career of 25 years. Sadly, my first marriage ended in divorce, after which I seriously sought emotional and spiritual healing. I remarried my wonderful husband and moved to Tulsa. Our blended family brought many joys and challenges! We gratefully received much-needed counseling at Plumbline Ministries. After becoming comfortable with their concept of struggling, striving, and growing as normal Christian discipleship, I began taking Soul Care classes. This was followed by my internship. I have now been a pastoral counselor for 10 years, having been ordained in 2014. My life purpose is to comfort, teach, and encourage the hurting through soul-healing conversations.
Mom-of-the-heart describes my parenting experience. I am immensely grateful to be an adoptive mom, a stepmom, a mother-in-law, and a Grammy! Anything dark chocolate mint is on my radar, and I easily get lost in my garden!
My favorite Bible verse is Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are you have been saved through faith, the best gift ever!
Favorite Bible verse:
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are you have been saved through faith, the best gift ever!
Liz Merrill
After serving in accounting, quality, technical support, and project management roles in the business world for 30 years, Liz Merrill left the career world and returned to Plumbline Ministries, Inc. We use the word "returned" on purpose because Liz attended Soul Care from 2008 to 2010 and graduated while serving as a part-time Plumbline Intern. Circumstances within her world called her away from this Internship. In January of 2017, she returned and now serves full-time as a counselor.
Liz asked Jesus into her heart at the tender age of seven years old. 1 John 4:19 "We love because He first loved us" is Liz’s favorite verse because love is the emotion that continually draws her back to the feet of Christ. Liz is blessed to have married Brian in 2003, and they have a blended family with six adult children and their families, including twenty-two grandchildren, which makes for a very full and busy life. Brian and Liz are currently raising two of their grandchildren in full time guardianship. Writing, movies, games, crafting, reading and enjoying time with friends and family are all things Liz enjoys.
Liz is passionate about walking with those struggling with the devastating effects of sexual abuse and pornography in families. Liz and her family have felt, first-hand, the impacts of the trauma of sexual abuse, pornography, drug and alcohol abuse; She has also experienced the associated incarceration, rehab, and the associated child custody scenarios that go with these types of traumas. Liz is committed to using the love of Christ and the tools we use here at Plumbline to allow God's healing power to flow to others as it has to her.
Liz is an active member of the Green Country Walk to Emmaus Community and her local church. She has completed Splankna Masters training and previously co-facilitated a women’s support group for approximately five years.
Liz is thankful that God brought her to Plumbline Ministries, Inc. through His prevenient grace and timing for such a time as this.
Favorite Scripture
1 John 4:19 "We love because He first loved us."
Shelly Ash
I was born in Elk City, OK, to a single/widowed mom with three boys. My 35-year-old father died of a cerebral aneurysm while she was pregnant with me. She was amazing. I grew up in church learning about Jesus, was a puppeteer, and was very active in the choir and youth group. I went to Oklahoma State University and received a bachelor’s degree in music education, then taught elementary music with an Orff emphasis for 23 years.
I have always had a strong interest in psychology, relational dynamics, and self-improvement. I taught the Boundaries course by Drs. Cloud and Townsend for 14 years. I took Plumbline’s Soul Care class and graduated in 2014. After I left teaching and my mother passed, I got my certifications in Health and Life Coaching, but I was still searching. Then, I started my Splankna training in 2018 and found my niche.
Splankna (Greek word for gut; like…”I’ve got this feeling in my gut”) is a tool that uses muscle testing to identify negative emotions wrapped around a trauma, then using meridian points (like the chiropractor uses) and prayer, the negative emotions are broken off. The whole process is wrapped in Biblical boundaries.
I have learned so much from the Tools that Plumbline offers. As an Ordained Pastoral Counselor and Certified Splankna Practitioner I get to utilize my training as I partner with clients on their journeys as struggling, striving, growing Believers to re-tool their toolboxes!
Fun Facts: I am married to Jeff Ash and have 2 Yorkies, Riff and Jazz. I love to sing jazz standards and travel. I am an Enneagram 1w9 and am learning to love it!
Favorite Scripture
Roman 12:2 - And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Geneo Anderson
Hello. My name is Geneo Anderson. I was married to my beautiful and wonderful wife, Debra, in 1973. We have three children and seven grandchildren.
At age 44, in a desperate move to save my marriage, I agreed to a counseling session, where I quickly realized the value of my life and relationships. From that day, I have devoted the last 24 years to preparing myself for pastoral care. In 2016, I made a connection with Plumbline Ministry and was able to participate in their Soul Care Training program. After a very enlightening two-year classroom experience, I immediately enrolled in the two-phase internship program. Having successfully completed four years of Soul Care training at Plumbline, I am moving forward with God’s help to share in the lives of those with whom God connects me.
I am currently the Care Pastor at a local church in south Tulsa. I understand that we all have moments in our life that may seem like we have been overtaken by a fault. Galatians 6 encourages us to bear and share one another’s burdens. As a care pastor, I am better equipped with counseling tools and a program that I can safely recommend for counselees to receive pastoral care, biblical guidance, and direction for their life’s journey. My heart’s desire is to help bring forth God’s purpose out of the cares of life, for he cares for us.
Favorite Scripture
Galatians 6 - Bear One Another’s Burdens
Andrea Lea
Andrea Michael Lea was raised here in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. She attended Oklahoma State University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree and The University of Tulsa with a masters in the area of speech-language pathology. Andrea currently works with students with dyslexia and sees private clients in the Tulsa area. She is most excited; however, about becoming the latest pastoral counselor on the Plumbline team! Andrea has a heart for service and recently became the Volunteer Coordinator for Plumbline Ministries. She enjoys working with Asbury’s 2nd Saturday when she can and started a ministry called Heart to Heart delivering Valentines for children in the hospital.
Andrea and her husband Jim have two terrific teens, Ava and Fletcher, and four fur babies (two Burmese cats and two bulldogs; hey, they are family too, right?)!
Andrea became a Christian late in life during her first job in Oklahoma City, working with children with developmental delays at SoonerStart Early Intervention. There, she met a wonderful group of Christian women who led her to Christ. After moving to Tulsa, Jim and Andrea raised their children at Fellowship Bible Church, where they grew both in the wisdom and knowledge of the Bible. However, it was experiencing the truth and the grace of God’s Spirit that gripped her heart and forever changed her into the “stick woman” she would soon become. By God’s plan and in His timing, as relatively new members of Asbury United Methodist Church, Jim and Andrea were led right to Plumbline’s door where their stickman journey began. With much joy and gratitude Andrea realized that she was a “stickman” before she knew what a “stickman” was! At Plumbline, she had found a stick-home and a stick-family to love!
Favorite Scripture
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 - I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore, choose life, that you may live, you and your descendants; to love the Lord your God. To obey His voice and to cling to Him; for He is your life, and the length of your days.
Ashley Battese
I was raised in Puyallup, Washington, and then lived in Oregon before moving to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to get to know her father. After 2 years, her father passed away. Not knowing how to process all the grief and trauma from her past, she found out about Plumbline Ministries and started her healing journey through counseling, where she realized she wanted to return the favor and help others in need. She started her training to become a Pastoral Counselor. She is married with two beautiful girls. She has a passion for movement and helping others heal their bodies physically as well. She is a Licensed Massage Therapist certified in Myo skeletal Therapy, Corrective Exercise Movement, and Brain-Based Movement Training. She feels called to work with people who want to heal physically and emotionally as well as spiritually through counseling and movement.
Favorite scriptures:
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Psalms 91:1-4 “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”