Do you or someone you know need pastoral counseling or prayer and encouragement?
If so, we are here for you. Our Pastoral Care Center is committed to supporting anyone who is struggling and going through a difficult time. We want you to know that there is hope, healing, and new beginnings. Our Pastors, Church, and Ministerial Counselors are available and ready to assist you as needed. They are available in person at our care center or on zoom in the comfort of your home.
Services provided by the Pastoral Care Center are based on Christian principals and Biblical standards. By engaging the Pastoral Care Center, you acknowledge that services provided are not those of a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and these services do not replace the care of psychologists, doctors or other healthcare professionals.
MEET THE TEAM
Our Pastoral Care team is here for you through all seasons of life to provide counseling, encouragement, and prayer for you and your family.
Pre-Marital · Counseling for Men · Marital · Youth
Marlon Oudkerk
Director of Pastoral Care
Marlon has been actively involved in ministry for over 20 years. He has been a part of Bethlehem for the past five years, where he has taught courses in Grow U and served in the Creative Arts ministry at our Rosedale campus. He also works with the One Group committee. Marlon obtained a Bachelor's degree from Nyack College in Biblical Studies and Business. He also has a Master's degree in Education and is certified in Educational Leadership. He is a husband and father of three children. Marlon loves ministry and has a deep desire to help others grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Pastor Leslie Fowley
Pastoral Care Pastor
Counseling for
Women
Leslie has been a disciple of Jesus Christ for over 40 years. She is an ordained minister of the Assemblies of God and is currently the superintendent of Valley Stream Christian Academy. She has been a speaker at Women's, Youth, and Worship retreats and Conferences. In addition to Education, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Leslie has been married for 42 years and has 2 sons and 3 grandsons—with another grand baby on the way! She considers it a privilege to point people to Jesus, as well as to His Word and to help enable each individual to experience ALL that God has planned for them.
Bethlehem Support Groups
Valerie Adamo
Support Groups Director
Valerie has been attending Bethlehem for 20 years and has been active in support group ministry since 2009. She and her husband, Paul, are the ministry leaders for Celebrate Recovery (A Christ-centered, Biblical-based recovery program). Valerie has a compassion for helping others who are hurting and struggling. She loves the concept of support groups and how we are called to “Carry each other's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ.” We all have burdens, problems, and even crisis or tragedies that have damaged us. Some loads can be too heavy for us to bear on our own, and we need others who have gone through similar situations to come alongside us to help during those times. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 we find the significance of helping others who are going through hardships with the same comfort and encouragement we have received from our loving God and Father.
Counseling for
Women · Children · Youth
Alicia Ruiz
Pastoral Care Counselor
Alice has been a member at Bethlehem Assembly of God for 28 years. She is a retired New York City Board of Education teacher. In addition, she has completed Bible studies with Global University in Bible and Doctrine. She holds credentials with the American Association of Christian Counselors as a Mental Health Coach. Alice loves the Lord. She has served the Lord since her teen years, she’s been married for 43 years, has two adult children, and three granddaughters. Her desire is to see people grow in the Lord, as they work in their God given purpose.
Prayer & Encouragement through life's challenges
Luis & Miriam Ruiz
Compassion Care Ministry Leaders
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Luis and Miriam Ruiz have a passion for interceding on behalf of others. Together, they have been in ministry for 50 years and registered chaplains with the State of New York for the past 16 years. Luis served at Evangel Church as a Pastoral Care leader and Miriam as an Assistant Principal for Evangel Christian School. They also served as deacons over discipleship, and small group ministry at Christ Tabernacle of Glendale.
Prior to their retirement, Luis managed the Medical Assistance office at the Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens and Miriam was a Prek-8th grade teacher, New Teacher Mentor and UFT Staff Developer for the NYC Department of Education. Their 44-year union has produced three daughters and three grandchildren.
“The Lord is gracious and righteous, our God is full of compassion.” Psalm 116:5
Pre-Marital · Counseling for Men · Marital · Youth
Lloyd Browman
Pastoral Care Pastor
Lloyd Browman has been a part of Bethlehem Assembly of God since January of 1997. He has served in several ministries, including ESOL, House of Hope, and Senior Bible Study.
Born in Guyana, Lloyd has been married for the past forty-eight years, and has two daughters and five grandchildren. He is a retired teacher and Registered Nurse, and has been active in ministry and church leadership from the age of sixteen when he began teaching Sunday School. Lloyd loves interacting with people, and using his experience and abilities to help others grow both personally and in their walk with the Lord.
