Samaritan Counseling Center of West Texas, Inc.

In the early 1970’s faith groups throughout the country began to discuss the need for a counseling resource connected the church or religious values that offered a combination of both psychological and theological tools for healing. Also pastors expressed a need for a pastoral counseling referral resource for themselves and the need for additional resources for their own ministry of counseling. The founders wanted to insure that the resource would be available to individuals of all faiths and spiritual identities and not be connected with any particular theology or denomination. This call spread throughout the United States in 1972 the Samaritan Institute was formed in Denver, Colo. to pursue this idea.

This dream began to germinate in the Permian Basin in January of 1973 under the leadership of Mr. Ron Schwisow, member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Midland, and Mr. John Ingram of St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church in Midland. These two individuals are credited with spearheading the effort beginning with discussion groups, then community forums, and finally a fact finding trip to visit the Abilene Pastoral Counseling Center. A steering committee was created and a volunteer board of directors of 15 members was appointed and led by President Ron Schwisow. In October of 1973, the Center was chartered through the Secretary of State. By January the Center’s doors were open on a full-time under the direction of Rev. Ray Bristol, former pastor of the First Christian Church of Midland, who served as director and counselor. The Center was initially housed in various donated office space locations in Midland and was named West Texas Pastoral Counseling Center, Inc.

In October of 1980 the Center was gifted a permanent building to house the central office at Midland Air Terminal by Midlander Trina Conley. The facility had served as the Hertz Rental car management office and the Board of Directors raised the money to eliminate the mortgage.

In 1983, the Board of Directors determined that although the Center provided very good counseling services, our business operations were in need of some help. The Samaritan Institute was commissioned to conduct a thorough evaluation of the Center’s organizational structure, personnel and financial policies. In that same year, the Center became affiliated with the Samaritan Institute, and our name was changed to the Samaritan Counseling Center of West Texas, Inc. The Center is currently dually accredited by the Samaritan Institute and the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

Rev. Norman Godfrey, Presbyterian clergy, became the second Executive Director in 1983. He expanded the staff with by hiring Rev. Ed Rowley, a Lutheran pastor, and Rev. Jerry Kelly. Dr. Kelly joined the staff at first part time while he was serving as a prison chaplain, then full time in 1986 and in 1991 as Executive Director for a total of 17 years of service until his resignation in December of 2000. Dr. Ron Meyer, our current Clinical Director, joined the staff in 1991. Margaret Jones is the Executive Director and has been “home grown” with the Samaritan system- first as a Board member in the 1980’s, then as Development Director in the 1990’s and as Executive Director beginning in 2001.

In 1995 the Board of Directors decided to expand the Center’s public relations, fund raising, and foundation grant opportunities. Bravely, the Board hired a development director, and the “Family of the Year” banquet fundraiser was initiated. A capital campaign was launched, and with the support of major donors and collaborative efforts of local foundations, the main office was renovated and expanded in 1996. The new building and meditation garden was dedicated in August of 1997.

In February of 2002, Securing Samaritan’s Vision, Inc., the Center’s endowment entity, received its tax exempt and foundation status from the Internal Revenue Service. The SSV board includes representatives from Midland, Odessa and Big Spring. Securing Samaritan’s Vision exists for the sole purpose of supporting the Samaritan Counseling Center of West Texas, Inc. and will work to educate prospective donors and further develop the Center’s financial security.