ABOUT US
Who We Are
Central Valley Biblical Counseling is a ministry of Grace Church of the Valley in Kingsburg, California. As a training center with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, we desire to partner with local churches in the Central Valley to certify biblical counselors and support biblical counseling and discipleship ministries.
OUR MISSION
We exist to glorify God by teaching biblical counseling theology and methodology to equip local churches and believers for discipleship in the Central Valley (Eph 3:20–4:16; 2 Tim 2:2; 2 Tim 2:15; Rom 15:14).
Our Values
The Gospel
We believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ as the ultimate hope for change and abundant, eternal life. We trust in the sovereignty of the Father, the saving work of the Son, and the sanctifying work of the Spirit to bring about genuine heart change (Rom 6:4).
The Bible
We hold God’s Word to be inspired, inerrant, authoritative, and sufficient for all issues of life and counseling. It is our final, sole authority, and we reject the extrabiblical systems and methodologies of the world (2 Tim 3:15–17).
The Church
We believe the church is the primary context for counseling and spiritual growth. We train and teach under the authority of elders and point people back to the life of the church body. We are accountable to elders and the local church (Eph 4:11–16).
Our Characteristics
Exposition
We teach from the Bible according to an accurate interpretation of the words, grammar, context, and order that God has presented to us. We utilize other resources only as they agree with the Bible (Rom 15:4).
Compassion
We teach the one-anothers such that counselees are properly, biblically cared for as image-bearers possessing both body and soul (Col 3:12–13).
Discretion
We teach counselors to maintain confidentiality within biblical, legal, and ethical limitations as outlined in the Grace Church of the Valley consent form (Prov 11:13).
Qualification
We adhere to high standards of training, personal conduct, purity, integrity, and morality such that we are qualified to teach and have removed any cause for stumbling (Rom 15:14).
OUR TEAM
BRENDAN TOMASSIAN | DIRECTOR
Brendan serves as the Pastor of Counseling and Seminary Education at Grace Church of the Valley in Kingsburg, CA, the Director of Central Valley Biblical Counseling, and the Director of The Master's Seminary Central Valley Distance Location. He is a Level 2 Certified Counselor with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors and has also served as a pastor in children’s ministry, youth ministry, and adult discipleship. Brendan graduated from UCLA with a BA in The Study of Religion and Middle Eastern Studies, and from The Master’s Seminary with a Master of Divinity. He is currently concluding a Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Counseling at The Master's University. He is married to Rachel, and they have a son, James. Brendan's heart is to shepherd the local church to a greater biblical depth of discipleship and ministry.
DR. CRAIG SHIGYO | INSTRUCTOR
After growing up in Fresno, CA, Craig received his Bachelor’s Degree from UC San Diego in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. During this time, he was also involved with Cru campus ministry and spent time overseas in their international internship program. Craig later received his call to ministry at Oakhurst Evangelical Free Church and has served fifteen years in pastoral ministry at Oakhurst EV Free and Woodward Park Baptist Church in Fresno. Due to a desire to grow in his knowledge of biblical languages, theology, and God’s Word, he received his Master of Divinity degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and his Ph.D. in New Testament at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. When he’s not serving the church, Craig is probably enjoying a cup of coffee and a good book. Although, the best times of his day are when he spends time with his family. Craig and Amanda met in a young adults Bible study in Oakhurst and have been married since 2010. They have two boys, Isaac and Augustine, who love going on daddy-son dates for Frozen Yogurt or other sweet treats.
REV. DR. MICHAEL MOCK | INSTRUCTOR
Pastor Mock was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ. He earned his B.A. in Philosophy, then an M.Div. at Phoenix Seminary. He was a teacher for 15 years. He eventually became a pastor and served a church in North Carolina before coming back West and settling in Fresno. He's a Presbyterian minister (in the Presbyterian Church in America) who has a love for Biblical Counseling. He has been ACBC Certified since 2017, has earned two of the Specializations offered by ACBC, and has earned his doctorate from Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, with his dissertation on Calvin as Counselor.
He's been married for over 20 years to Elizabeth, and the Lord has blessed them with 5 children. They love to read, spend time together as a family, watch the Giants together, enjoy Family Movie Nights, watch their children play sports or dance, and live life as servants of Christ before the face of God for the glory of God and the edification of Christ’s church.
QUESTIONS?
E-MAIL US or CALL 559.897.8788