Deeper Life Ministries is an Anabaptist counseling center that strives to give Biblical discipleship to the people we serve. We work with single ladies and married people in common issues of life, such as depression, anger, bitterness, grief, and conflict in relationships. We offer premarital counseling upon request on a walk-in basis. 

Our Mission

·      To evangelize unbelievers and disciple Christians who are struggling with spiritual and relational trials.

·      To strengthen families and churches in order to prevent problems from arising.

·      To equip Christians so they can effectively disciple people through times of spiritual or relational struggle.

How We Accomplish Our Mission 

Discipling

Deeper Life Ministries (DLM) endeavors to carry out our mission primarily through discipling married couples and single ladies. The counselors at DLM seek to understand each person as an individual in relationship with God, with other people, and with himself/herself. This includes how they perceive, understand, and have responded to their experiences in life. By means of teaching biblical principles and applications through various homework assignments, counselors share the message of salvation with unbelievers and help believers in the process of sanctification and conformity to the image of Jesus Christ. (John 3:16, Rom. 8:29)

Couples typically begin the discipleship program by coming for a one-week stay that includes daily counseling sessions. After their one-week stay, they have the option of follow-up appointments via phone calls or walk-in appointments. Single ladies usually begin the program with a two-week stay including counseling, and also have the option of follow-up appointments. Follow-up appointments are per request of the counselee(s).

Seminars

DLM conducts a number of seminars that provide foundational teaching and group interaction. These seminars are hosted at DLM or in nearby facilities, unless otherwise noted.

·      Helping People In Need - We sponsor the Helping People in Need Seminar along with Fresh Start Training Center of Washington, IN.  The HPIN Seminar is held during the third full week of January, from Tuesday through Thursday.  The seminar is open to anyone, particularly those in a discipleship role, and addresses specific issues faced in discipleship relationships.  It is held in Plain City, OH in the even-numbered years, and in Washington, IN, in the odd-numbered years.

·      Marriage Seminar – On the third or fourth weekend of March, we host a Marriage Enrichment Seminar. Registration is limited.

·      Single Ladies - The first weekend of August, Friday through Sunday, DLM hosts the Single Ladies Seminar as a time of enrichment and encouragement for single ladies.

·      Faithful Women - The Faithful Women Seminar occurs annually on the first Saturday of October.  This seminar specifically addresses the challenges of married ladies and mothers, but all ladies are welcome to attend.

·     Faithful Men - The Faithful Men Seminar takes place the second Saturday of November.  Men come together to be challenged in specific areas of faithfulness as husbands and fathers, or as single men.

 

Equipping

DLM Bookstore

Biblically-based literature is an effective tool in carrying out our mission.  Therefore, DLM makes literature of this nature available through our bookstore.  Besides books, we have seminar recordings and a variety of materials pertaining to specific issues and challenges of the believer’s life and family life. Clients are also encouraged to make use of the books and CDs in our library on site at Deeper Life, which includes many of the books we have for sale in the book store.

Training

All Christians should be involved in some type of personal ministry in their lives. Some more than others. For those with an interest in learning better ways to minister to their fellow believers, we offer two options. Both of these options are available in this bookstore.

Heart Mender's Handbook Course

The first option is our Heart Mender’s Handbook curriculum. The Heart Mender's Handbook is a two-volume guide offering Biblical solutions to life's challenges, ideal for personal ministry. The Methods volume focuses on communication, asking insightful questions, and assigning meaningful homework. It equips readers to help others identify idolatry, restore their relationship with Christ, and address heart struggles. Accessible and practical, it provides tools for immediate use and long-term ministry. The Common Problems volume explores the roots of struggles, focusing on heart issues and false worship. It delivers practical strategies, Biblical truths, and clear guidance for personal ministry. Together, these volumes address common challenges and offer Christ-centered methods for effective help, serving as a lasting ministry resource.

The Heart Mender's Workbook complements the Handbook by deepening your understanding and guiding you in real-world application. The Workbook, like the Handbook includes a Methods and Common Problems volumes. These two volumes build from their namesake Handbook volumes by presenting you with a systematic study plan to study and answer questions about the material, helping you internalize and apply the concepts in a more comprehensive way. When you purchase our Heart Mender’s Handbook and Workbook set, it includes the 4 volume set, as well as access to our YouTube videos that present the material visually.

Counselor Apprenticeship Program

Our other option for becoming equipped is our Counselor Apprenticeship Course. The Counselor Apprenticeship Course is a 16-lesson advanced program that builds on the principles of The Heart Mender’s Handbook, offering deeper, more comprehensive training. This course equips students with skills for addressing and preventing personal struggles through Biblical principles and Christian interaction. Expect to be challenged, encouraged, and stretched as you apply these truths to your life and ministry.

 The program includes a mix of video, reading, and audio materials, alongside writing assignments, activities, and projects designed to foster personal growth and prepare you to disciple others effectively. Offered at our facility, it takes 4– 6 months to complete and immerses you in the dynamic environment of a functioning counseling center, providing invaluable hands-on experience in personal ministry.

 

Facilities

Deeper Life maintains facilities in Plain City, OH and Rochelle, VA. 

Lodging, complete with bedding and towels, is provided for all clients.

Married couples who come for a week of discipleship are are provided given a completely furnished one bedroom apartment for lodging.  They are responsible for preparing all of their own meals. 

Single ladies who come for a time of discipleship stay at the single staff ladies’ house and have their meals provided. 

Staff

Dave Snyder - Administrator - Plain City

Tom Johnson - Administrator's Assistant - Plain City

 

Ben Waldner - Primary Marriage Counselor - Plain City

David & Christine - Marriage Counselors - Rochelle, Virginia

 

Valerie Steiner - Single Lady Counselor - Plain City

 

 

 

Estalee Anderson - Single Lady Counselor - Rochelle, Virginia

 

Angela Yoder - Client Supervisor, Domestic - Plain City

Russell & Regina Mast - Seminar Chefs

Financial and Transportation Information

DLM operating funds are received primarily from donations and church offering, enabling us to provide spiritual discipline to all without requiring them to contribute financially. For those clients who are able to contribute financially, we suggest a donation of $45 per room, per day that DLM facilities are utilized. Also, for the time of discipleship we encourage an appropriate donation from the person or couple receiving discipling, or from the extended family or church requesting assistance from DLM. We neither accept nor refuse people on the basis of their financial contributions. DLM can arrange transportation to and from the local bus station or airport. We encourage an appropriate donation to the individual providing the service. 

 

Testimonials

“We thank you for listening, really listening to us and not becoming critical about us. The understanding and direction was incredible! Now we can glorify God for His forgiveness, realizing that God sees us personally, who really cares about us! God bless & direct you!”

 

“God used my time here to stretch me and teach me. It was very challenging and encouraging.”

 

“I have been blessed by the compassion and concern expressed by all staff members. Counsel is based on the truth of God’s Word. Our life’s goal is to bring glory to God and we trust His sovereignty in our lives. God’s promises are sure and He cares for me and will never leave me.”

 

“I have been richly blessed with my time here at DLM .  I was confused about many things in life. Having been abused, I couldn’t see things clearly. I was feeling guilty about things that were not my fault. With the help and guidance of a counselor, I came back to grip in my life, and I came  to see how I feared man more than God. I look forward to learning to know God in a more intimate way.”