"After 25 years of serving overseas as a family, we found ourselves in crisis as a ministry and as a family. We had few places to turn to for help in Asia, and looked to return to the US, hoping to find someone to walk us through this dark place. Bethesda by the Sea was recommended to us, and they worked us in as soon as we flew in. The next two weeks were a time where we shared our hearts openly, received understanding and grace, and experienced a safe space to be heard and prayed for. Each day we made more progress in our understanding of our crisis and in our search for personal help, healing, and rest. We highly recommend William Lewis as a counselor and man of God. He is led by the Spirit and has a heart for God's servants around the world."

 

— Missionaries to India

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“I want to share with you the wonderful and transformational experience I had at Bethesda by the Sea. Wonderful because I was met at the front door with love and understanding at a time when I was not sure that God still loved me or understood the struggles I was having. Transformational because of the change that occurred as William Lewis and I spent time in God’s Word and in His presence unpacked the baggage that I had been carrying for 40+ years.

 

In just a few hours, we were digging deep into the roots of the issues that had kept me in bondage for so many years. As I shared different stories from my life, William gently showed me how I had agreed with the lies of the enemy about who I was. The sinful actions that were destroying my life  — that I believed were because of me not trying hard enough — were simply lies I had believed about myself and about the love of my Heavenly Father. William gently peeled back the layers and dug out the roots, as I came out of agreement with the lie that I am unworthy of the love of my earthly father or my Heavenly Father. I am not doomed to be a failure, and God did not make a mistake, but I am a work in progress. I am a piece of clay in the potter's hands, and when I surrender all to Him, the molding process can be sweet instead of painful.

 

I honestly feel like a 50-lb. weight was lifted off of me at the end of our time together. My eyes were opened to see God, my Heavenly Father, in a new light. I saw my life in a new framework. I now live as a child of God — a son of my Heavenly Father — seated at His table, and not as the dog licking up the crumbs from under the table. The shame I carried is no longer a scarlet letter on my shirt; I have laid it down at the foot of the cross. 

 

I am transformed by the truth of God’s word delivered by William Lewis. Our time together changed my view of God’s amazing love for me. The transformation has been so real and deep that I am glad to say that my wife and I are back together. She has experienced the transformation of my heart toward God, that has also resulted in a change of my heart and actions toward her. The past life of isolation and shame is being replaced with deep conversations and tears of joy as we grow together and seek God’s glory in our lives. I wish I had not waited so long to take this step of seeking help from a trained, experienced, loving counselor such as William.”

 

— Veteran Missionary

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"Over the course of the past few years, I felt like I was getting buried deeper and deeper in my own anxious thoughts and worries. Intense life circumstances -  such as moving to a new international context of ministry and two pregnancies where my wife had to be on bed rest for much of the nine months - contributed to me being on the verge of several panic attacks. During this difficult season, I continued to do ministry, but I often came to ministry events feeling like I had nothing to give and would leave feeling bitter and unfulfilled. 

 

I also struggled in the home, investing the few precious hours I had free to numb my mind with the news and watching YouTube. I was determined to numb the aching pain I felt. I knew there was something going on under the surface inside of me, but I was scared and unsure when it came to digging deeper. I reached out to my organization and asked if they had any resources to help, and they soon connected me to William. Though taking the step to start sharing vulnerably with him was difficult, I felt deeply refreshed even after our first meeting.

 

As we met, we focused on what it means to be a male image bearer, as well as how men distort their design as they follow in Adam’s footsteps. A key lesson that I learned from William is that as I withdraw from responsibility like Adam did in the garden, I am prone to find a way to self-protect, self-preserve, and self-promote. I soon started to recognize how this pattern began to take place when I was a young boy, and how it was also taking place as I responded to some of the painful experiences in my present life.

 

A deep point of pain for me is the conviction that my father is only partially invested and active in my life. My insecurity and fear is that my father and others see no substance or strength in me; therefore, I need to live a life coping with that pain. The main way that I have chosen to cope with that pain is to try to hide my sense of “smallness” from others. 

 

As I have become more convicted of my negative patterns of coping with pain, William has helped me take steps to bring this pain before my Heavenly Father. Contrary to my idea of an earthly father, God sees substance in me because He created me, and He puts the substance inside of me as His son. I can best describe the process of healing for me as one of repentance and faith. It looks like taking the time to go down into my heart, and discovering how I am trying to compensate for my own sense of “smallness.” Then as I discover and repent of that, I get to turn to God, as my Heavenly Father, and put faith in who He says I am as a man of God.

 

As a result of meeting with William, I am equipped with a new habit of being more aware of what is happening inside of me and how to turn to God to receive confidence and strength from Him. I also feel called by God not only to receive His strength and affirmation, but to encourage the other men that I know in the same way."

 

— Missionary to the Netherlands

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"I came to Bethesda by the Sea drained and frustrated. I was in a transitional season in my life but could not move forward until the things that had been plaguing me my whole life were dealt with. With the leading of the Holy Spirit, William Lewis graciously led me through the process of digging to the root of the issue while allowing me to talk about things I hadn’t even realized were still impacting me or how deeply. During my stay, I was able to realize the false image I had of myself and how it was affecting not only my relationships with others but my relationship with God the Father. I left with a deeper understanding of the Gospel and my identity in Christ. I would recommend this to anyone who is struggling in ministry and/or their personal lives. This is a safe place to come and be heard and helped with sound Biblical counsel without judgement."

 

— Kingdom Servant in Florida

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Growing up has not been easy for me. At an early age my parents divorced, and I found out later it was due to my dad’s affair. This allowed distrust and bitterness to settle in my heart. I had to learn how to live independently because the divorce caused me to not see my parents much. I grew up in a Christian home but did not walk with Jesus until college. He completely transformed me, but there was still trauma that I accumulated as a result of my parents' divorce. 

 

In 2021, I found myself in a yearlong dating relationship that started out well but quickly went downhill and ended in heartache. I accumulated more trauma through the physical, emotional, and mental abuse I had experienced....

 

A few months after the breakup, I decided to seek counseling. I was referred to Bill Lewis at Bethesda by the Sea. I am so thankful for Bill! He offered a safe space for me to healthily process all the circumstances and traumatic events that have happened in my life. He was intentional and used the Gospel in a way that really landed with me. 

 

One key takeaway I have gotten from my time with Bill can be summed up in the phrase: “God’s sons don’t settle!” Throughout my life, I have often settled in relationships by putting up with mistreatment from others toward me because I felt like that was the best I was going to get. I also had a fear of being alone; therefore, I’d rather settle than be alone. Bill helped show me that as God’s son, I do not have to settle for mistreatment. God offers something so much better and greater. God does not mistreat me, and it is so important for me to know my value and worth to understand that. And in Him, I am never truly alone.... 

 

Another key takeaway from my time with Bill is how often I will self-protect by appeasing people. In my former dating relationship, I found myself often feeling like I had to prove my character and worth. I saw this pattern in my friendships as well. Bill helped me process and realize that it dated all the way back to my parents’ divorce. The divorce was something out of my control, something I didn't see coming as a small child. I felt helpless, and I subconsciously told myself that I was going to prove to everyone around me that I was worth staying around for. 

 

When it came to conflict, I would often give in so that the other person would accept me. I would show character qualities like servanthood and patience to those around me so that they would see I was someone worth being around. That came to a head with the breakup, and Bill helped me realize I do not have to prove my worth or value. I am fully accepted and loved by God, and it is ok if someone does not think highly of me. And ultimately, it is ok if someone leaves because God will never leave me. 

 

What God thinks about me is far more important than what others think of me. That truth has given me so much freedom in my friendships lately, the freedom to be my full self. It has also given me a new lens in approaching conflict resolution. I am so thankful for the time I have gotten with Bill. God has used him to help me wrestle through these issues, to grow in my maturity in Christ, and to really heal from years-long wounds. I am still on this journey of healing, and I will continue to apply all I have learned from God through Bill.

 

 — Collegiate Minister in California 

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"I came to Bethesda By The Sea in a broken condition. My soul was empty, and I did not feel an intimate closeness with the Lord. I hadn’t for some time. 

 

Bill Lewis was able to listen to the echo of the emptiness of my life and begin to set me on a course of recovery. Bill trudged through it all and was able to uncover some of my deep spiritual battles and their source. He focused my attention on my life as an image bearer of my heavenly Father. 

 

Bill was understanding, compassionate, focused, knowledgeable, direct, honest, and Holy Spirit-directed. I am confident that he was used by the Lord to set me on a new course for the rest of my life. He showed me huge gaps in my marriage communication skills and how to remedy them for the glory of God and the benefit of my very patient and loving wife.

 

My wife returned with me for a week together. It was also very beneficial for both of us. Bill directed our attention towards a deeper love based on our mutual understanding of our roles as image bearers of our Lord. I would recommend Bethesda by the Sea and Bill Lewis for anyone in the ministry who needs and wants to get their soul/life in order before God. I was blessed. I was challenged. I was surprised with my own shortcomings. But, I felt the love of the Lord every moment I was there. Bill has a gift of ministry that was used by the Lord to change my life."

 

- Senior Pastor

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"At a time of devastating crisis in my life, marriage, and ministry God brought Bill Lewis of Bethesda by the Sea to walk with me through the valley.  Bill has a deep, experiential knowledge of both God’s Word and God’s heart, so his counsel is a nice balance between truth and grace. He listened, empathized, and comforted, but also spoke truth and gave some direction for how to climb out of the pit I had dug for myself.  God used Bill to bring healing and to help me get my life back on track."

 

- Senior Pastor

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"You saved my life, you saved my marriage, you saved my ministry, and you saved the church."

 

- Senior Pastor

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"Bill counseled me through a dark season in my life. I'm not sure how I would have made it through without his regular support and the inspired wisdom he provided. In fact, I've told friends that two things changed my life in that period--the Holy Spirit and counseling with Bill Lewis. His unique ability to personalize Scripture and principles of Biblical counseling not only helped me out of the pit I was in, but it transformed my relationship with God, and put me on a new path. I believe the fruit from that time is still evident in my relationships with my spouse, children, family members, and co-workers. And I think anyone facing a difficult situation in their life would be blessed and benefit greatly from Bill's counseling."

 

- College Minister

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"I had served in vocational ministry for close to ten years when I met Bill and Lynn. The church I was serving in at the time was having difficulties. And, I wasn’t handling it well. The dysfunction at the church was spilling into my personal life and my marriage. I began meeting with Bill regularly to talk about the situation, and more importantly, how I was dealing with it. 

 

Bill helped me to realize something profound. He helped me to connect the dots between past pain and how I led people in ministry. I had been believing that it was my personal abilities that made me successful in ministry and valuable as an individual. I had been using people to gain value and a sense of success. The light was shone on what I had truly been believing about myself, other people, and God. This opened the door for repentance and growth. It also freed me to more deeply and truly love those I served. 

 

These realizations set me on a path to deepen both the way I do ministry and the way I relate to God. God used Bill, not only to change the way I see ministry, but also how I see my personal walk with my Father."

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- Missionary

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"I had been in ministry for over 18 years, and during that time, I met Bill & Lynn Lewis. They both came into my life at a difficult juncture in my family and ministry life. Bill became an integral part of my healing, when he gently began speaking into my life through prayer, counseling, and friendship. He devoted himself to the complete staff at church and provided wise, compassionate, and Biblical counsel. He was always available to the staff, and then to me personally.

 

When it came time to receive personal guidance, both Bill & Lynn graciously opened their home to me. Their willingness to step into my healing process was monumental in my well-being and spiritual fortitude. Bill spoke God's words of affirmation, guidance, wisdom, and perspective that gave me the footing to carry on into my next steps in life. I still actually have Bill’s words of God's Truth, written on a piece of paper in my wallet.  

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I know that for anyone needing a restful, insightful, healing place to regroup and rebuild his or her spiritual and personal life, Bethesda by the Sea should be the first place to go."

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- Children's Ministry Director

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"Bill Lewis has powerfully impacted my life.  His deep compassion and amazing insights have helped me grow spiritually and emotionally in countless ways. He has a gift for getting to the real root of complex issues, and expressing the most profound, life-changing truths in ways that anyone can grasp. He is by far the wisest, most loving person I have ever known. He transforms the way I see myself, my relationships, my ministry, and most importantly my heavenly Father. There is no such thing as a shallow evening with Bill Lewis. He has been able to help me when no one else ever could."

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- Missionary to Eastern Europe 

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"Lynn’s wisdom, humor, discernment, and ability to communicate truth in accessible ways are gifts that God uses in a wide variety of settings. And her warm gift of hospitality is a great blessing to me and many others. It’s obvious that it truly delights her to make people feel at home.  If you’re lucky, she’ll make some of her famous cookies for you. Save room!"

- Children’s Ministry Director 

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"From the minute I stepped into your home, I felt the Lord's presence. He did a deep work in my heart under your questioning and probing that I believe was directed by the Holy Spirit. Thank you for listening and being obedient to His voice. Your home is going to be a place of refreshment and renewal for a lot of people. The Lord is going to use you powerfully!"

 

- Worship Pastor

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"First, let me thank you for your faithful support of the Lewises' ministry. Sometimes I’m sure the fruit of your giving is elusive, as you likely do not have the opportunity to meet those who benefit from your generosity. While we will likely never meet, may the following words show you the importance and value of Bill and Lynn’s ministry.

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My struggles have been deep and decades long, and I’ve sought counsel from others on and off throughout the years. While Bill, my wife, and I talked through many areas that needed healing, most helpful were steps he led us through regarding some deeply hurtful issues with a supervising pastor. As we worked together through this process, we found hope and healing amidst our feelings of frustration and thoughts of hopelessness. 

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Bill coached us to see Christ as our sufficiency and showed us God's sovereign hand in our lives. His words were life-giving to us, and we still apply the truths and principles he taught us. We are blessed to have found Bethesda by the Sea during this difficult time in our lives."

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- Associate Pastor

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"My husband and I came to see Bill after a prolonged season of crises, both in our personal and ministry lives.  We are so grateful for Bill’s caring, compassionate heart.  As we unpacked several topics, he listened genuinely and asked insightful questions to identify the deeper issues in play.  He gave us language to shape our struggles, and a framework to move forward in each area. We came away with a renewed sense of hope and perspective to progress in our healing, and practical actions we can implement in our recovery to thrive once again. Bill is a very wise godly man, with extensive life experience and training to minister deeply regarding complex issues and the spiritual warfare that Satan wields to undermine and destroy pastors and missionaries.  We are so grateful for his generous time and heart to strengthen us at such a crossroads in our lives!"

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-Pastor’s wife

 

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"After an extended time of personal trial beginning with a mid-career layoff, I was struggling to set a new course. Having had a lot of past success, I was determined and focused, but failing to find satisfaction and meaningful purpose.

 

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During my time at Bethesda By The Sea,with Bill’s sensitive and principled leadership, I was able to stare unflinchingly at my pride-filled striving and independence. Because of the abundant time and attention, gracious setting, and Bill’s genuine commitment to God-centered counsel, reconciliation, and renewal, I felt safe to dig deep. 

 

Through something about Bill’s genuine love for the Lord and the Father's love for me, I was shown my true heart.The revelation was horrible. Seeing whom I had become and its consequences was pretty bleak. I had been blind, and now I could see, and it was not pretty. I was led to confront the tender source of how I viewed myself, God, and the world. I was also introduced to a framework that allowed me to contemplate and connect with the why of all of this. God graciously met me at Bethesda by the Sea. 

 

I have come away from my time at Bethesda by the Sea with a renewed faith and hope in the abundance of God’s true love, and with a profound reorientation of whom I am as His image-bearer — a sinner made new in Christ. I am certain I could not have gained this ground apart from Bill’s faithfulness and love, and God’s abundant grace. I have truly been given new life. I am deeply humbled by Bill’s faithfulness, and am forever grateful to his family, and the supporters of Bethesda by the Sea for making this renewal possible. 

 

Thank you for the life you have given me through your faithfulness!"

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- Colorado

 

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"It was great to stay at Bethesda By The Sea. Bill and Lynn were both so kind and great to talk to about life and my struggles. Lynn is a wonderful cook. There were lots of small touches that were sweet and personal, like making the bed for me. Even a carafe of water by the bed had meaning. 

 

Bill is great at what he does. He cares, and the wisdom he has is really from God. I had previously been to a nine-month residential counseling program. Bill helped me more in one week than what I received in nine months at the other center. I feel really alive for the first time in my life!"

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- Georgia

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"Talk about therapy? My tank is full! Words are inadequate to describe how blessed, refreshed, recharged, renewed, and grateful I am for the generous hospitality and unparalleled ministry of Bethesda By The Sea! Your house truly is a “house of mercy and grace!” What a gift! It is clear that at Bethesda By the Sea your gifts are so freely dispensed and embraced by all who come here! May God continue to richly bless your lives and ministry!"

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- Alabama 

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"From the minute I stepped into your home at Bethesda By The Sea, I felt the Lord’s presence. He did a deep work in my heart under your questioning and probing that I believe was directed by the Holy Spirit. Bill, you are a man of God. You hear His voice, and you love His presence. It is truly amazing how you are always hearing from the Father, and then speaking what you are hearing. Thank you for listening and being obedient to His voice. Your home is going to be a place of refreshment and renewal for a lot of people. The Lord is going to use you powerfully!"

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-Virginia

 

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"Thank you so much for your hospitality, counsel, and wisdom. It has definitely been worth it to come to Bethesda By The Sea. It has exceeded our expectations. We got more help than we thought we would in one week. We look forward to returning this fall for a second week of counseling, as we continue this journey of healing in our lives and ministry."

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- Florida

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"At Bethesda By The Sea, Bill helped me to realize something profound. He helped me to connect the dots between past pain and how I led people in ministry. I had been believing that it was my personal abilities that made me successful in ministry and valuable as an individual. I had been using people to gain value and a sense of success. The light was shone on what I had truly been believing about myself, other people, and God. This opened the door for repentance and growth. It also freed me to more deeply and truly love those I serve."

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- South Carolina

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Personally, I was very emotionally stuck, overwhelmed, and unable to be there for my wife in certain ways. Our communication would range from a 1 to perhaps a 5,  with us very often miscommunicating and missing each other. The hurt of unmet expectations and demands was really tearing apart our hearts. 

From the hospitality of a beach home getaway to the amazing way Bill helped us work through the surface issues down to the depths of what causes the dynamics and where it is coming from and why, we discovered afresh and anew what God says that is true. I am very hopeful and encouraged to have practical ways of working through things in my heart and understand what is going on with my bride. She is a flower like no other! I am God’s search and rescue dude! 

God’s ways are above our ways. He is so gracious to draw us to Himself and heal us in the deep places of the heart!
 

We highly recommend our skilled counselor, Bill Lewis, and the ministry of Bethesda By The Sea!

 

- Missionaries 

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 "I am so thankful for the ministry of Bethesda by the Sea! 

 

William and his wife, Lynn, were so sensitive to the Holy Spirit as they ministered to me. They were so hospitable and made me feel welcome and safe. I went to their one-week intensive feeling broken, battered, and confused. I was wondering why I kept running into the same obstacles in my marriage and relationships, knowing that I was the common factor in all of those relationships.

 

William used Biblical principles to gently walk me through the confusion and pain to see my own brokenness and how God wanted to restore that brokenness. He used the truth of God's Word to show me where I had come into agreement with wrong thinking about myself and about my circumstances. I learned so much about myself, and God showed up and illuminated so many truths to me.

 

I walked away from that week with none of my exterior circumstances being changed, but I had been given a whole new tool belt to use. My internal life has changed drastically, and my walk with God has deepened even more. Their ministry has been pivotal in transforming not just me, but my family. I cannot thank them enough for what they do!"

 

- Missionary