About Us

In September, 1994, Gateway Woods made a proposal to establish an Illinois satellite in order to serve families from a base of operations in Central Illinois. The program was based on three components: home-based support services, training seminars in family principles, and biblical counseling services for troubled families including members and friends, whether affiliated with the Apostolic Christian Church or not. The Elder Body gave its approval in February 1995, and Gateway Woods Family Services (GWFS) began operating with one counselor providing seminars and home-based mentoring services. Eventually GWFS would be expanded to three full-time counselors.

As a part of the original Mental Health Committee proposal to the Elder Body, a suggestion was made to create a counseling service. However, this part of the proposal was put on hold while other parts were being developed. In 1999 the Mental Health Committee brought the proposal back to the Elder Body and was directed to implement a counseling service. The committee appointed a task force to work out the details of the service. Several brothers gave many hours of their time to complete the plan to create a counseling service.

Apostolic Christian Counseling Services (ACCS) was opened in March 2000. The program focused on counseling services for mental health issues and relationship problems, consultations with a counselor, as well as presentations and educational materials. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works … exhorting one another; and so much more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

By September 2006 the Mental Health Hotline was discontinued as calls were then answered by a full-time receptionist in the ACCFS office.

The year 2006 was a year of transition, as the services previously provided through Gateway Woods Family Services and Apostolic Christian Counseling Services were combined and made available through one new entity. A new Board of Directors was appointed for the agency, named Apostolic Christian Counseling and Family Services (ACCFS), and began offering services in October 2006. 

ACCFS also offered teaching resources like the Crown Financial Bible study and Way of Purity mentoring, mentor training, and church presentations.

At that time, ACCFS was located at 73 E. Queenwood Road in Morton, IL. As a result of the expansion of services, programs and staff, it was recognized that this facility was too small.

Enabled by significant financial support from many brethren, ACCFS decided to build a new 5000 square foot facility at 515 E. Highland St. in Morton, IL. In October 2008, operations were moved to the new facility. ACCFS is extremely grateful to God for his providence in providing the necessary staff, facility, and support from the brotherhood for offering counseling and family services.

With the hire of Bro. Arlan Miller in January of 2014, the Church Outreach department expanded. Bro. Arlan was hired as Church Outreach Director. Since his hiring the Church Outreach department has grown to include 5 other individuals, Bro. Matt Kaufmann, Bro. Isaac Funk, Bro. Bill Schmidgall, Sis. Katie Miller, & Sis. Shauna Streitmatter.

In 2015, ACCFS began recording biweekly episodes for their podcast, Breaking Bread, which began releasing episodes in October 2015. The first episode released was a three part series on Technology use. Bro. Matt Kaufmann has been the host of the podcast since the beginning.

In 2016, psychiatry services were added for Central Illinois clients.

In 2020, during the time of COVID, telehealth became increasingly popular such that we currently see half of our clients via Zoom or similar online venues.

With the addition of Bro. Isaac Funk to our Church Outreach staff, we have partnered with the Abide Discipleship Program that he had been administering in Peachtree City, Georgia. In 2022, 2023, 2024, & 2025 we offered a 3-week Abide Discipleship Program. In 2024 we also started offering several Journey Weeks in conjunction with HarvestCall which offer part of Abide and exposure to other cultures and training in those areas.

From 2006 to 2025, ACCFS has grown from 3 full-time and 5 part-time staff to 12 full-time and 6 part-time staff. We have grown from 2 full-time and 2 part-time counselors to 5 full-time and 1 part-time clinical counselors. Our number of annual session-hours has grown from approximately 850 to over 3000. During this time, the budget has also grown from $500,000 to approximately $1,300,000. Over the years the complexion of our board has changed. We currently have three sisters, four brothers, and two elder brothers on our board. Several serve from outside of the Central Illinois area and join board meetings online when they are not here in person. We thank God for providing the necessary people and financial resources to be able to continue to serve those who are hurting. We are continually amazed at his provision of the right people at the right time, and we are privileged to be able to serve the church and others as they have need.