OTTERBURNE, MB – As part of Providence’s Centennial celebration, we are reflecting on the people, programs, and pivotal moments that have shaped our legacy. This story – one in a series commemorating 100 years of faithful service and academic excellence – highlights the origins and enduring impact of the Counselling program at Providence Seminary.
What began as a hopeful experiment during a time of institutional uncertainty has grown into one of the Seminary’s most influential and far-reaching departments. Founders Steve Masterson and Don Sawatzky revisit the early challenges and spiritual convictions that laid the groundwork for a program that continues to shape compassionate, well-equipped counsellors across Manitoba and beyond.
“I take great pride in knowing that the foundation we built remains; that the [Counselling] program is still running and that our vision to serve people who want to care for others and to live meaningfully has been taken to the next level.” More than 50 years after the Counselling department was established, one of its founders – Don Sawatzky – reflects on the initially unforeseen legacy of Providence Seminary’s most successful academic program.
In the early 1980s – only a decade after the Theological Seminary’s founding – Don’s colleague and mentor, Steve Masterson, shares that enrollment numbers were low, several professors had left, and that the Seminary itself was on the brink of shutting down. Dr. W. R. Eichhorst was President at the time, who originally asked Masterson to teach the very first counselling class in the summer of 1983.
“The president came to me,” recalls Masterson, “because although graduates from the MDiv program over the years were well-prepared in subjects like Greek and Hebrew, they lacked the practical skills of being trained in counselling.”
Masterson and Sawatzky had just returned from Grace Theological Seminary in Indiana, where they were among the first graduates from a new biblical counselling program that was run by the late Dr. Larry Crabb.
“The counselling program grew very fast,” continues Sawatzky. “We were surprised at how it went from virtually nothing to classes being full of men and women from all sorts of backgrounds.”
“It was God’s anointing in his appointed time,” adds Masterson.
For Don Sawatzky, the Counselling program at its core was about integration and openness. There was a dual emphasis on having a high regard for both scripture and science, as well as providing opportunities for students to authentically bring who they are into the space they facilitated via practicums.
“We are called to humility when we’re sitting with another human being,” Don explains. “To love, care for and relate to clients while leaning into the process of discovering oneself is life altering. Our vulnerability is probably one of the most sacred things about us; accepting our vulnerability without backing away…it’s one of the best lessons you can ever learn in life.”
Much has changed since Steve and Don began teaching counselling courses those many years ago. The growth that the department experienced since its inception was both rapid and sustained. While retaining its emphasis on faith-based therapy, course offerings became increasingly focused on areas of clinical psychology, and the need for new and more specialized faculty became a priority. Today, Counselling is the largest department in the Seminary, and a significant number of those who are certified counsellors in the province of Manitoba have either taken courses at or have graduated from Providence.
“It’s been 28 years since we left,” concludes Masterson. “But knowing how much hard work people put into their work here, I think it’s in good hands.”
“Some of the richest years of my life were spent here,” and turning to Steve, Don adds: “And I’m thankful that this man dragged me into it.”
