Delores Friesen

Professor of Pastoral Counseling

Education

B.A.,B.S. Goshen College M.S. Indiana University Ph.D, University of Iowa Present Position, 1988-

Background

Delores' doctorate is in Counselor Education with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Counseling, Human Development, and Religion.Her Masters degree is in International and Comparative Education.She is trained in the Systems approach, with an eye towards prevention and holistic health.She loves to encourage students to read, and access resources in the community and library. She herself is an excellent resource to the seminary and church community.Children remain an important part of her life and counseling practice.She began her teaching career in grades 4-6, then spent thirteen years as a missionary in West Africa, where she taught in three theological schools, African Independent Churches and other adult education settings.

In addition to the above, Delores' ministry and counseling experience includes seven years as Resource Minister in a congregation, two years as a counselor in the Athletic Department at the University of Iowa, and counseling internships in an elementary school setting, and a family counseling center. Delores also worked as a student chaplain at the University of Iowa Medical Center for one year. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with specialties in aging, grief, sexuality, and marriage and family issues. She seeks to integrate her faith and her practical, caring style with the cultural and family context of her clients. Delores' style of teaching is integrative. She encourages students to integrate their faith, experience and knowledge of the subject and to pursue areas of personal interest during the course of their studies. Delores is married to J. Stanley Friesen, a pastor and adjunct professor. They are parents of three adult children. Rachel is a social worker at Hope Hospice in Fort Myers, Florida. Ingrid is a dietitian and seminary student in Elkhart, Indiana. Jonathan and his spouse, Kristin, are leaders of a Service Adventure Group in Raleigh, North Carolina. Rachel is married to Steven Krall, who works at General Electric. They are parents of Delores and Stan's only grandchild, Kyra Elizabeth, who already loves to "read" books at age one!

Delores and Stanley spent their sabbatical in Spring 2001 traveling to nine different African countries teaching, ministering and working on HIV/AIDS related issues. Their knowledge, experience, skills and compassion for all people help them to confront this difficult topic and issue with an open mind, seeking to work at education, prevention and intervention. They were sent by Mennonite Central Committee and will be presenting some of their findings at the Mennonite Health Assembly meeting in Spring, 2002.

Books and Articles

Delores has authored two books, Let Love Be Your Greatest, and Living More with Less Study/Action Guide, and has chapters in the books, Growing Towards Peace, Healing the Children of War and Sexuality: The Gift. She has also recently edited a book of sermons by Mennonite Brethren women entitled_ All Are Witnesses_. Delores likes to speak and lead workshops and retreats on a variety of topics.

Click here to view a television interview with Dr. Delores Friesen, Professor of Pastoral Counseling, on KMPH’s Great Day – May 1, 2008. Note: This file is in the WMV format. A program such as Windows Media Player is needed to view this video.

Courses

Delores teaches courses in Human Sexuality; Human Development, Counseling Families, Cross-Cultural Counseling, Advanced Family Studies, Grief Counseling, and Interpersonal Communication. She also teaches a Continuing Education and distance learning course, Lifestyle, Spirituality and Healing.

Interests

Her interests besides work include creative writing, growing roses, international ministry and travel. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Mennonite Brethren Missions and Services International and chairs the Africa-Asia Commission.

At Your Service

All MB Biblical Seminary faculty members are available for preaching and are prepared to lead a seminar on calling out leaders for training and ministry. Delores Friesen will consider teaching classes or seminars on topics in addition to those listed here, please contact her for more information.

MB Biblical Seminary