About

Who We Are

The story of Good Samaritan Ministries starts over forty years ago in 1976. Then school teacher, Bettie Mitchell traveled on a biblical archeology tour to the ancient sites near present day Iraq. While she was on the ancient wall of Nineveh, she heard the voice of the Lord call her to quit her job and spend the rest of her life teaching nothing but the Kingdom of God. 

This call of God lead to a counseling ministry that started in Bettie’s home in Beaverton, OR where people from all walks of life and every need could come and find love, acceptance and an encounter with the Kingdom of God. Through the years, GSM developed into a ministry of worldwide healing, offering 1-1 counseling, therapy groups and classes, and Certified Counselor Training to thousands of individuals & couples locally, throughout 26 countries and 200 centers around the world. GSM has opened and supports 39 schools, in 11 countries, educating over 3000 students annually. Though GSM sponsorship, many of these students have gone on to universities. 

Counselors, and teachers provide their services based upon a foundation of unconditional love and acceptance. We encourage those who come to counseling, groups, and trainings to consider donating to the ministry but we will never turn anyone away based on an inability to donate. 

 

Our Executive Director

Teresa Stroup is the International Executive Director, she began working with  GSM in 1995 as GSM Centers Director, Counselor and Satellite leader for Tanzania.

Teresa has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Marylhurst University and a Masters degree in Social Work from Portland State University. She is a licensed clinical social worker.

She has Certifications in Batterers Intervention, Anger Management, Clinical Supervision, Parenting and is a graduate of the Good Samaritan Ministries counseling program and the Ford Family Foundation Community Trainer and Leadership program.

She worked for 9 years as a Family Program Manager and Mental Health Counselor with Lutheran Community services in Klamath Falls. She has been married for over 40 years. She and her husband have worked in the Pastoral Ministry for over 25 years and has 3 grown children and 2 granddaughters.

Our Staff

We are both a big and a small ministry! What this means is our Beaverton headquarters is staffed by a small group of faithful people, who work diligently to support more than 200 GSM centers worldwide. 

Outside of our small staff, this ministry is sustained through volunteerism and loving donations. When you donate to GSM, you can be sure that 100% of your donation goes towards the country or services you are supporting. Scroll down to learn more about our amazing staff!

Cindy Womack – International Project Development Director

Since January 2017, Cindy has been the International Project Development Director at GSM.  She is in charge of developing the counselor training programs for the International HQ in Beaverton and assisting US and International Centers in developing training.  She is also the International Travel Director for the ministry.  Cindy has been part of GSM since 1991 when she lived in Pendleton, Oregon and began training through the Walla Walla GSM Center.  In 1993 she opened a GSM counseling center in Pendleton where she developed a Counselor Training certification program and Being Married and Liking It (a three-day marriage retreat program).  She has 17 years of experience as a suicide intervention skills trainer.

She completed the basic and advanced schools for Christian Counseling with Elijah House Ministries, is a graduate of Life Pacific College in Ministry and Leadership, as well as completing the 3-year GSM Counselor Training Program in Walla Walla.  Her graduate studies are in Forensic Psychology and Somatic Experiencing Trauma Therapy.  Cindy worked 7 years for Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, Oregon, as a student advisor, tutor trainer and coordinator, Learning Center Coordinator, Disability Services Director, and Health and Wellness Coordinator.

Event Coordinator – Veronica Bloomfield

I’m Veronica Bloomfield, the Events Coordinator for the Beaverton Office. I came to GSM via the Counselor Training program. My family and I were going through a rough patch; God’s healing through GSM’s counseling has truly been a blessing to my family! My husband and I began communicating better and working on our issues, my autistic son does not need me as much at school, my daughter is finding her way with college, and the call God has put on her heart. After I felt the healing and restoration that was happening within my family, I knew I needed to be a part of GSM and I began assisting Cindy Womack with counselor training. In Fall of 2022, I was asked to join the office staff here in Beaverton.  I know that ultimately, God has called me to help counsel children, and I am finally in a healthy spot that I can do it. We talk a lot about how once you’re a Samaritan, you’re always a Samaritan. When I’m not at work you can find me in the forest or by water enjoying time with my family. In the summer, I love to hike by waterfalls or float down rivers. In the winter, I love sledding or tubing.

Leslie Ross – Bookkeeper

Leslie has always been a numbers girl. She majored in mathematics at Evangel University, and holds a teaching certificate for secondary math. She taught math and chemistry, and served as the director of education for Sylvan Learning Center. Her career path then took her in to accounting. Leslie holds a post-baccalaureate certificate in accounting from Linfield University. She has worked in the accounting department for three non-profit organizations. Leslie enjoys serving at GSM because it combines her gifting and her faith.

Rhonda Nations – Accounting Assistant

IT & Networking Specialist – Matthew Craig

Our Board

Our Financial Status
Good Samaritan Ministries is a 501c(3) tax-exempt nonprofit.