Ministry Staff

  Rev. Gary Runkle-Edens

Rev. Gary Runkle-Edens, Executive Director, Master of Divinity, Fuller Theological Seminary. Ordained and licensed Clinical Pastoral counselor and Professional Clinical Member of the National Christian Counselors Association.

Gary’s passion is to see people encounter God in powerful ways. He desires that this encounter would bring healing and freedom so that people can discover their God appointed destiny. Out of this passion and desire the ministry of Freedom & Healing in Christ was founded. Gary is thankful for the privilege of meeting with hundreds of people through the years and watching God do marvelous things in their lives.

Gary is a wonderfully gifted and experienced counselor who has helped many deeply hurting and spiritually bound people. He has been mentored in various inner healing approaches and blends and tailors them to individual needs. He is artfully skilled at bringing wise counsel alongside powerful ministry so that clients are transformed.

Gary has specialized in helping people with anger management, marriage counseling and enrichment, DID, depression, anxiety, pain, addiction and demonization. He delights in helping people grow into healthy self-care and life maturity.

  Maria Berbée

My name is Maria Berbée. I was born in the Netherlands and came to the United States at age nine with my parents and four siblings. After college, I spent 25 yeas in the medical field as a Doctor’s Assistant. Thereafter, I taught at an adult career school, teaching Medical Terminology for four years.

I have had a wounded spirit from my earliest years and sought help for my own emotional pain. There was only limited help from the Medical profession and after I received Jesus in my heart as Lord and Savior in 1976, I was led to the book Transformation of the Inner Man, by John and Paula Sandford, founders of Elijah House. It was the answer I had been searching for and sought counsel from an Elijah House counselor in 1987. That was the beginning of my inner healing. As a result, I felt led of God to help others. In preparation, I attended the Basic Training School in 1989 and then the Advanced School in 1991 both through Elijah House, as well as many seminars through out the years to continue to learn and update my knowledge. I did my internship in Birmingham Alabama in 1989 but have been working as a paraprofessional in private practice since 1988. I joined Freedom & Healing in Christ in February 2003 and am blessed and delighted to be able to grow and expand even further. I serve as a para-perfessional and a Catholic counselor.

My passion is to join the Holy spirit in the work He wants to do in the wounded Body of Christ... “to bring good news to the poor; bind up the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to captives, freedom to those in prison, comfort those who mourn and give them beauty for ashes, the oil of gladness for the robe of mourning, in despondency, praise, that He might be glorified,” according to Isaiah 61.

  Brian Chesher

Brian has an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University and is a state licensed Marriage and Family Counselor since 1991. Brian’s heart desire is to see people encounter healing and breakthrough in their brokenness and woundedness. He integrates his clinical experience and Biblical principles to assist people in overcoming trauma and hurt. Brian specializes in marital relationships, addictions, traumas and parental training by integrating his clinical and spiritual experience. Brian lives in Rancho Cucamonga with his wife Mary Kay and son Nicholas.

  Rev. Betsy Runkle-Edens

Rev. Betsy Runkle-Edens, Associate Director. Master of Divinity, Fuller Theological Seminary; Ordained Minister, Presbyterian Church (USA).

Betsy was first introduced to deep-level healing by Dr. Charles Kraft. During her last two years in seminary (1998-9) she maintained a regular mentoring relationship with Dr. Kraft. This led to her participating on Kraft’s ministry team and assisting in the editing of the book Behind Enemy Lines.

Betsy has a vision to see the church grow in its ability to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit and to see Freedom & Healing in Christ grow into a nationally known ministry where hurting people are healed.