Sitting in Dr. Denny Whitesel’s office at the Center For Hope in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, I am impressed with the grand offices. This  old structure is actually part of Hutchison Medical Center campus, although not a part of the hospital, and the history of Fort Oglethorpe. Dr. Denny will tell you the story of ‘Pink’. The friendly spirit, or ghost that wanders the home and makes an occasional appearance. “She’s friendly enough. One of our construction workers happened to be here about 2 o’clock in the morning finishing some things up and saw her walking into the kitchen. A couple of other people have also seen her and always describe her as an apperition with a slight pink color, that is why we gave her that name.”

When I ask how he happened to find this space, Dr. Denny has a catch in his throat and waves away the temptation to let tears fall. “When my wife Bobbie and I were driving around one evening I brought her here. We pulled up outside just about dusk and I got cold chills. It was the Holy Spirit and I just knew this is where we were supposed to be.” Dr. Denny continues. “Bobbie had her reservations and that began with what the cost of this building would be. At this point in time we were just looking at my going out on my own. Praise God for my wife, she has a great logical side and I am a dreamer.” When Dr. Denny told Bobbie that God already had it laid out he had every assurance that was the truth.

While working as a counselor for another group, Denny Whitesel saw a need and felt a burning for that part of the population that was hurting and in need of quality Christian counseling, but were without the funds to pay for it. Knowing without a doubt filling this need was what he was meant to do, Dr. Denny began to dream and envision what it could be. Walking around his home one evening the name came to him. The place would be called “The Center For Hope”. Dr. Denny admits “This is a name that is used quite a bit for a number of different things. Kind of a generic name, however when I checked on incorporating and looking online for the website, the name was available. That was a God thing.”

Dr. Denny admits that anything and everything in his life is a God thing. Even pulling up to the home across from Hutchison Medical Center that evening over a year ago, looking at the empty brick building and just knowing God would have him there, Dr. Denny trusted it was a God thing. “Rachel,” he tells me, “if God wasn’t in it, it wouldn’t have happened.” Going to Hutchison Medical Center and finding out whom he needed to meet with to ask for the building was the first step. “I met with the CEO, the COO and the CFO,” Dr. Denny says quickly with a laugh. Getting more serious he goes on to name those gentlemen who were instrumental in the beginning. “CEO Charles Stewart, COO Gerald Faircloth and CFO Doug Volinski let me know it would have to pass the board. They also said it wouldn’t happen. I was asking to be given use of this building as a gift.” Well, it did happen and it happened rather quickly. Just five months later Hutchison Medical Center unanimously agreed that this pioneering effort was important enough to the community for them to gift the use of this building for The Center For Hope.

After over 20 volunteers--from plumbers to carpenters, painters and just general cleanup help—did their jobs,The Center For Hope was ready to open in January of 2009. “It is still a work in progress,” Dr. Denny is quick to point out. “We have three full time counselors and we are looking to add two more.” He also doesn’t want a clinical feel to the offices that were once home to military during the Civil War and, more recently, to medical personnel with Hutchison Medical Center. “We decorated keeping home in mind. When our clients come in we want them to feel relaxed and at home. We have a kitchen, offering coffee and cold sodas or water. We also have a larger area for family counseling.”

With a five year plan in mind for The Center For Hope, Dr. Denny is already seeing some of it come to reality. “We are serving Dade, Chattooga , Catoosa and Whitfield Counties as well as Hamilton County. There are more communities in north Georgia asking us to come and open up satellite offices in their towns and that is what we are praying about right now as we watch doors open up for that to happen.” The Center For Hope Thrift Store is another dream Dr. Denny is watching and praying for. “This is The Center For Hope. We are more than just counseling. We have a food pantry, clothing, household items and more to serve the whole family. We will need more room as we expand.”

It is also the intent of The Center For Hope to not turn anyone down because of finances. “This dream really began with one woman who had drug addictions. She came to a point where she couldn’t afford counseling anymore and I said I would stick with her regardless.” The Center For Hope works on a sliding scale, and with the initial consultation under $30, cost will never be a reason to live without hope.

With several fundraising events in the works Dr. Denny is most excited about the upcoming golf tournament. “This is our first annual Center For Hope Golf Tournament. The Golf Course  in Lafayette, Georgia will be hosting this event for us and we are really excited to see it come together.”

Dr. Denny not only counsels people and families in crisis, his mission includes helping others to counsel. Counseling the Counselor is a scripture-based book and was written by Dr. Denny in response to the many inquiries over the years by pastors, church leaders and laity concerning efforts required to implement and maintain a viable counseling ministry at the church level. “This book is theologically sound and just full of information to anyone wanting to learn more about Christ Centered Counseling. The first chapter will help you decide if Christian Counseling is even for you.”

Dr. Denny Whitesel and his wife of 22 years, Bobbie, live and work in the community they serve. “Bobbie is one of the best dental hygienists in this area. She is working for Dr. Craig Walker and loves what she does. I am in the ministry, serving the indigent in the area of Christ-centered counseling and I wouldn’t be doing anything else. We are absolutely blessed.” 

-Rachel Noble

The Center For Hope offers counseling services in the areas of grief, marriage & family, depression, anxiety, stress, addictions, career and many other needs. They also offer workshops for grief, financial and marriage issues. The Center For Hope is located at 500 North Thomas Road, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 706-866-0917 www.thecenterforhope.org