Our Leadership

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Founder/ SCN Lead Trainer 

Dr. Jonathan Okinaga serves as the Assistant Professor of Biblical Counseling in the Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he also holds the Hope for the Heart Chair of Biblical Counseling. He is an ACBC Certified Counselor and an ACBC Fellow, committed

Founder/ SCN Lead Trainer 

Dr. Jonathan Okinaga serves as the Assistant Professor of Biblical Counseling in the Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he also holds the Hope for the Heart Chair of Biblical Counseling. He is an ACBC Certified Counselor and an ACBC Fellow, committed to equipping the next generation of biblical counselors to minister faithfully with the sufficiency of Scripture. A graduate of SWBTS, he earned his PhD in Biblical Counseling after completing a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling, and he also holds a BA in Religion and Administration from Vanguard University.

With more than a decade of ministry experience, Dr. Okinaga has counseled and discipled individuals overcoming addiction in a wide range of settings. His research and writing focus on addiction, including his book From Sin to Disease (Wipf & Stock, 2022), along with other works addressing related issues in soul care. Known affectionately by his students as “Dr. O,” he mentors both in the classroom and beyond it—sharing life through meals, sports, and personal conversations.

In addition to his teaching, Dr. Okinaga has trained churches and leaders in biblical counseling throughout the United States, Japan, and Peru. He previously served as an associate pastor in California, where his pastoral care and counseling ministry laid the foundation for his current work in training future counselors. He and his wife, Nicole, delight in raising their young son, James, as they seek to serve Christ together.

SCN Trainer

Dr. Cheryl Bell's life reflects a steady devotion to serving the Lord and nurturing others with grace and wisdom born from years of faithful discipleship. After raising and educating her children, Cheryl sensed God’s unmistakable call to return to the classroom. With perseverance and humility, she earned her Ph.D. in Biblical

SCN Trainer

Dr. Cheryl Bell's life reflects a steady devotion to serving the Lord and nurturing others with grace and wisdom born from years of faithful discipleship. After raising and educating her children, Cheryl sensed God’s unmistakable call to return to the classroom. With perseverance and humility, she earned her Ph.D. in Biblical Counseling with a minor in Women’s Studies, preparing her to minister with both theological depth and compassionate care.

Before entering the field of biblical counseling, Cheryl trained and served as a nurse, a background that continues to shape her holistic understanding of the struggles women face. This unique blend of medical knowledge and biblical truth has especially equipped her to minister to women who carry the scars of trauma, particularly survivors of childhood sexual abuse. As a professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, she has faithfully invested in teaching biblical counseling and supervising women pursuing doctoral studies. Her greatest joy in academia is mentoring and discipling women to apply God’s Word to the most difficult and intimate challenges of life.

Dr. Bell is also an ACBC Certified Counselor, committed to the conviction that Scripture is wholly sufficient to address the needs of the soul. Beyond her seminary role, she serves the broader church as a speaker through the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBT) and the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). Whether speaking to large groups or counseling one-on-one, she seeks to lead women toward the hope and healing found only in Christ.

Dr. Bell is the cherished wife of Rex Bell, a loving mother to four children, and a joyful grandmother to three. 

SCN Trainer

Dr. Youmans serves as the Lead Pastor of Word of Life Baptist Church in Vidalia, Georgia, where he has faithfully devoted over twenty years to shepherding God’s people through the ministry of the Word. His calling reaches far beyond the pulpit, as he also pours into the next generation through his work with the Sweet Onion Ch

SCN Trainer

Dr. Youmans serves as the Lead Pastor of Word of Life Baptist Church in Vidalia, Georgia, where he has faithfully devoted over twenty years to shepherding God’s people through the ministry of the Word. His calling reaches far beyond the pulpit, as he also pours into the next generation through his work with the Sweet Onion Christian Learning Center (SOCLC). Since founding SOCLC in 2014, Dr. Youmans has served as both Executive Director and Head Teacher, providing public school students with biblical instruction and equipping them to navigate life with the truth of Scripture at its center.

His academic achievements reflect his deep love for biblical truth and theological education. In 2011, he earned two bachelor’s degrees from Brewton-Parker College. Continuing his studies, he completed two Master of Arts degrees in 2020 and went on to earn a Doctorate of Education Ministry in 2022, both from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently pursuing a PhD from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, further sharpening his skills for the service of Christ and His church. Dr. Youmans is also  a Certified Counselor with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). 

Dr. Youmans lives in Vidalia with his wife, Lauren, and their three children. Together, they share a vision to see hearts and homes strengthened through the truth of Scripture, and they remain devoted to exalting Christ in every area of life and ministry.

SCN Trainer

Dr. Jen Wakefield has lived in the greater Austin, Texas area for most of her life. While not born in Texas, she considers herself a “Texan at heart.” Jenifer has a passion for supporting women in all seasons of life with a Christ-centered focus.
After working in the corporate relocation industry, Jenifer surrendered to full-ti

SCN Trainer

Dr. Jen Wakefield has lived in the greater Austin, Texas area for most of her life. While not born in Texas, she considers herself a “Texan at heart.” Jenifer has a passion for supporting women in all seasons of life with a Christ-centered focus.
After working in the corporate relocation industry, Jenifer surrendered to full-time vocational ministry. Through this ministry role at her home church she continues to work with women in Christ-centered counseling and is an advocate for families to thrive. Restoration Ranch, Texas™ emerged as a response to a consistent need in the community for women and families. The mission has been established to offer a three stage program for women impacted by addiction or crisis.

Jenifer attended Howard Payne University and studied Communications and Theater Performance (1980-83) in Brownwood, Texas; currently holds a Master’s degree in Christian Education (2017), and doctorate of Educational Ministry and Biblical Counseling (2022) from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Jenifer and Gary enjoy spending time with their grown children and grand-kids. Personal hobbies include watching sports, gardening together, and occasionally planning road trips throughout the Texas Hill country.

SCN Japan Translator 

 Dr. Chris Michael Moore is first and foremost a disciple of Jesus Christ. He serves faithfully as the Lead Elder of New Heart Church, a Protestant (NCMI) congregation in Nagoya, Japan, where he shepherds God’s people with a passion for truth and grace. In addition to his pastoral ministry, he is the President of Inte

SCN Japan Translator 

 Dr. Chris Michael Moore is first and foremost a disciple of Jesus Christ. He serves faithfully as the Lead Elder of New Heart Church, a Protestant (NCMI) congregation in Nagoya, Japan, where he shepherds God’s people with a passion for truth and grace. In addition to his pastoral ministry, he is the President of Inter-Translation Services, Inc., a translation and interpretation company committed to serving individuals and organizations with excellence across cultural and linguistic boundaries. Chris earned his Doctor of Ministry from Tokyo Graduate School of Theology, equipping him both theologically and practically to serve the Lord in a cross-cultural context.

Beyond his ministry and professional work, Chris delights in the gifts of family and fellowship. He is joyfully married to his wife, Megumi, and together they are raising two daughters, who bring great joy and laughter to their home. Those who know Chris well also recognize his love for the simple pleasures of life. A lifelong baseball enthusiast, he enjoys following the game with the same dedication he brings to ministry, seeing in it both strategy and the beauty of teamwork. He is also an avid foodie, always eager to explore new flavors and share meals with others, finding that good food often opens the door to meaningful conversations and deeper relationships.

SCN Intern

Matthew grew up surrounded by the piney woods of East Texas, where the Lord began stirring in him a deep desire to serve God’s people in whatever way He would allow. Over the years, Matthew has faithfully ministered in a variety of roles, from volunteering in local churches to shepherding students as a youth minister. Each step 

SCN Intern

Matthew grew up surrounded by the piney woods of East Texas, where the Lord began stirring in him a deep desire to serve God’s people in whatever way He would allow. Over the years, Matthew has faithfully ministered in a variety of roles, from volunteering in local churches to shepherding students as a youth minister. Each step prepared him for the calling he now pursues with conviction: biblical counseling.

His academic journey reflects the seriousness with which he approaches this calling. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Texas Baptist College, where he developed a love for thoughtful engagement with truth and beauty through the lens of Scripture. He went on to complete a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, equipping him to serve the church with both theological depth and pastoral care. Today, Matthew seeks to walk alongside others with the Word of God, pointing them to the hope, wisdom, and sufficiency found in Christ alone.