Who We Are
Ministers of biblical counsel and prayer, who have compassion, are caring and competent in ministry. All prayer ministers have received extensive training and are experienced in applying biblical principles of counseling, healing prayer and ministering with the Holy Spirit.
We also have on staff two professionally trained Marriage and Family Therapist Interns who are currently completing their hours for State licensure. Their ability to balance spiritual principles with clinical training provides a wonderful balance of services.
What We Do
- We pray healing for the private places of pain, disappointment hopelessness, and fear.
- We bring encouragement and hope by presenting biblical counsel for new avenues toward personal growth and change.
- We give guidance for the process of releasing your heart and spirit of remorse, regret, unforgiveness and the elimination of unwanted behaviors that hurt yourself or those you love.
- We help you identify who you really are -- that wonderful YOU that God created with purpose and plan.
- We seek what God has in His heart for you through listening, prayer, and revelation from the Holy Spirit.
How We Do This
By providing a safe and comfortable place, respecting confidentiality, your dignity and choices, and recognizing that you are a unique individual. We do this, not by a method or a set of steps, but through transformation, by asking God to impart to you the wisdom, revelation and truth needed for what you desire to be changed by the work of the Holy Spirit through repentance, confession, and forgiveness.
This is a process
It begins with your permission, your investment in the process, and your commitment to the work needed to bring change. The elements of the process are disclosing your pain and burden through confession of sin, repentance, and forgiveness, renewing your mind with truth. It means renouncing wrong beliefs and practicing in new ways to walk in new in life by the power of God who loves you very much. We lead and guide this process, seeking to impart God’s love and healing power to your heart and spirit.
Bridget Shank - Founder/Director
Bridget Shank is the Founder/Director of Desert Gardens Prayer Counseling and Training Center. As a visionary with a heart of compassion, God put in Bridget’s heart to provide a safe place of hope for personal healing and spiritual transformation. Gifted with administrative and leadership skills, she established Desert Gardens. Her purpose for Desert Gardens is to incorporate foundational biblical principles of healing, believing that God works through each individual in a unique manner as one engages in a personal relationship with Jesus.
Bridget has acquired her skills, knowledge and experience through a variety of resources. Her foundation for prayer counseling is founded upon the ministry of Elijah House, Inc. Bridget is also familiar with other perspectives of spiritual and transformational healing such as Neil Anderson, Jack Frost, Theophostic, Listening Prayer, and Leanne Payne. Her experience of 25 years as a Registered Nurse and psychiatric training brings a variety of skills and knowledge needed for the work of Desert Gardens.
During the last 10 years, Bridget has facilitated the Elijah House Prayer Ministry Video School, training over 200 people to minister healing prayer in local churches. In addition to the video school she has developed and taught classes to enhance the foundational training. Bridget has had opportunity to teach in Russia and Germany, and has been a missionary overseas.
In addition to providing training and supervision for a staff of six, Bridget also provides peer review and ministry consultation for other counselors in the area. Bridget and her well-trained and mature staff offer a safe and reputable resource for local churches, helping ministries and the community.
On a personal note, Bridget has been a Christian for 37 years, married to Brian for 31 years and has three grown children and two grandchildren.
Heidi Creedon, M.A - MFT Intern
Heidi is a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern and is registered with the State of California. She received a B.S. in Theology from William Jessup University and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco. She graduated from both programs with honors.
Heidi has seen the restorative power of Christ in her own life and earnestly seeks to share that experience with others. She combines spiritual principles and psychological truths to assist in bringing the greatest level of growth, healing, and freedom to her clients. Heidi enjoys working with both individuals and couples.
In partnership with her husband, Heidi leads Bible studies, home groups, and is involved in the leadership of her local church where she has been in fellowship since 1997.
Heidi is certified to administer the Prepare and Enrichment Marital Inventory and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and also received training through the Elijah House School biblical principles. She brings a professional background and knowledge that enhances and provides an appreciated resource to Desert Gardens.
Natalie Meyer-Jurkowski
Natalie has been a Christian and actively involved in the relational ministries of the local church for over 30 years. She is currently involved in several other ministries such as Bible Study Fellowship, Aglow International, and the National Day of Prayer. Natalie joined the staff in 2003 because of her passion to “see the members of the body of Christ freed and equipped to further their destinies in God.” Natalie has four grown children and lives with her husband Anthony in Roseville.
Mary Onodera, M.A. - MFT Intern
Mary is a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern and is registered with the State of California. She, received a Masters in Clinical Psychology from the Professional School of Psychology in 2004, and graduated with honors. Mary’s life experience has taught her to depend on God and seek His comfort and power. It is her desire to enrich and bring life into her counseling practice as she combines spiritual truths with psychological truths. Mary enjoys working with teens, individuals or couples, and groups. She has received other training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), theophostic prayer, art in therapy, and the Elijah House Video Schools I & II. Mary brings many helpful resources to Desert Gardens. She enjoys her personal life with her husband and son, and is actively involved in her church community.
Dora Simms
Dora has been a Christian for over 30 years. Prior to her retirement in 1992 she worked as a secretary and administrative assistant in city government and the University of California. After her retirement, Dora joined the administrative staff of her local church serving as the senior Pastor’s secretary wherein she received considerable relational ministry training and experience. In 2001 Dora added her unique blend of skills to Desert Gardens becoming one of its healing prayer ministers as well as the Administrative Assistant. Dora has been married to her husband Sid for over 30 years and has three grown children. You will have opportunity to speak with Dora as our intake coordinator when inquires are made for Desert Gardens’ services.
Kathy Smith
Kathy has been a Christian for over 35 years. She has served in various capacities of church and small group leadership and spent over four years with her family in Israel as a missionary. Her interest in healing prayer and counsel was initiated by witnessing the life changing effect of Prayer Counseling in several of her close friends. Her heart’s desire has always been to see the broken healed and restored. Kathy chose to pursue healing prayer ministry, a ministry she has been involved in for over 20 years. Kathy has been married to her husband Moe for over 28 years. She has three children and has been on staff with Desert Gardens since its inception in 1997.
Brenda Zamorano
Brenda has been a Christian for over 35 years. During her past 20 years, she has been active in the leadership of the local church, and a part of numerous healing prayer and ministry teams. Her experiences in these arenas have brought forth her teaching gift that inspires others to draw closer to God, His Word, and His ways. She has taught a variety of classes in various settings including a missionary trip to Russia. Her heart is for healthy marriages and living in the love of God. Brenda has been married to Manuel for 35 years and has two grown sons and two grandchildren. She has been on staff since it inception in 1997.
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