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MEET OUR TEAM
Reverend Doctor Patricia L. Ryan
AFAH Ministries Founder & President
Rev. Dr. Patricia Ryan is an ordained minister of Word and Sacrament in the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO). She earned her Master of Divinity degree from Bethel Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and her Doctor of Ministry degree in individual, marriage, and family counseling from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. She has served in the US Army Nurse Corps, and was ordained to a chaplain residency for the University of Texas/M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
Margaret (Meg) Bellows, MS, LPC-S, CART, BCPC, CRS, DAPA, BC-PTSD, NCC
Licensed Professional Therapist
Meg is an ordained minister in the Global Methodist Church and serves as the associate pastor and counselor-in-residence at the First Methodist Church in Humble, Texas, where she directs the handbell choir and the church orchestra. She also sings in the choir, assists in weekly worship, teaches an adult Sunday school class, and preaches as needed.
Meg is also a Licensed Professional Counselor with supervisory status (LPC-S) in Texas. In addition to providing services at A Future and A Hope Counseling Ministry, she maintains a private mental health counseling practice. Meg is also the Ministerial Assessments Specialist for the Global Methodist Church's conferences in Texas, New Mexico, parts of Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Virginia, and is contracted to conduct psychological evaluations of pastoral and ministerial candidates for ordination in the denomination.
In her free time, Meg enjoys reading, writing, composing and arranging music, swimming, crocheting, and visiting her children and grandchildren.
Paul has a heart for helping those struggling with life Issues. He is a trained and experienced Stephen Minister and has completed the Friends First Responders Training Program.
Paul Pizzi
Counselor
Linda loves to see how God heals couples that are dealing with sensitive issues in marriage. She also has a special passion for working with couples dealing with the conflicts that arise in second marriages.
She has a B.S. Psychology degree from the University of Houston, and is a trained Stephen Minister.
Linda Pizzi
Counselor
Dr. Jennifer Strozier is the founder of Be Encouraged There’s Hope (B.E.T.H., Inc.) Counseling Service, a faith-based Christian counseling practice dedicated to helping individuals and families find hope and healing. With more than 20 years of experience, she provides compassionate care in areas such as anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, marriage and family counseling, and crisis intervention. Her mission is to walk alongside people in their journey toward restoration and wholeness.
Dr. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Service Psychology and Counseling from the University of Alaska, Anchorage, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Christian Counseling. She is a Licensed Marriage & Family Christian Therapist, Crisis Chaplain, and Professor of Christian Counseling at CBIS. She is also an active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and the National Association of Christian Counselors.
Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, Dr. Jennifer now resides in Houston, Texas with her husband. Together, they are proud parents of four adult children and grandparents to four grandchildren. She is also the co-author of the book Broken to Be Made Whole.
Dr. Jennifer Strozier, PhD
Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Christian Counseling
Carla is a dedicated Christian counselor and professional life coach, committed to guiding clients toward healing, restoration, and renewed purpose through Christ-centered care. With over two decades of experience serving people in counseling and case management, Carla brings a compassionate, professional, and spiritually grounded approach to every client interaction.
Carla earned her degree in Drug & Alcohol Counseling from the University of St. Thomas, she also works as a Mediator, she is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, the International Christian Coaching Association, and the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals. She is passionate about integrating her counseling and coaching skills to empower others with biblical truth, practical life tools, emotional well-being, and hope for personal growth and lasting change.
Carla Trice, LCDC-I
Substance Abuse Counselor / Life Coach
Debbie Staton is a Business graduate from Texas A&M University, where she met her husband, John, with whom she’s been married for over 30 years. Early in her career, Debbie gained invaluable experience with companies like Northwest Airlines, working in sales and marketing, and with Bristol-Myers Squibb as a Pharmaceutical Representative.
An accomplished athlete, Debbie has completed three IRONMANs, multiple marathons, and various endurance events. She has also contributed to the IRONMAN community as Volunteer Director for IRONMAN Texas and as a member of the Volunteer Program team.
Outside of work and athletics, one of Debbie’s greatest accomplishments is raising three amazing children—Ryan, Tyler, and Patty. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her family.
Debbie Staton
Office Manager
In Loving Memory of Kimberly Guzman
December 7, 1974 - June 12, 2025
Kimberly D. Guzman, beloved mother to Talia and Mateo Guzman, friend to all who knew her, and Office Manager at A Future and a Hope (AFAH) Counseling Ministry over the past three years, has been welcomed home to her eternal reward on June 12, 2025, after a short 3-week bout with Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer.
Kim did an amazing job of handling the important administrative duties of the ministry and always had a friendly smile and a kind and encouraging word to those who came to AFAH for help. She also volunteered her time to support the monthly Christian Business Luncheons, giving loving attention to take care of managing the attendance and other needs of keeping this monthly gathering running smoothly.
Kim was loved and will be missed for all the ways that she reflected God’s love and joy to everyone she met – and though we grieve, we do not grieve as those who have no hope, for our hope is in Jesus Christ. . . And as those who believe are promised, we will one day be reunited with all those we love, who have gone before us, never to be separated again. In this knowledge, we are comforted and find peace.
Kim will be forever in our hearts and is now at peace in His presence. Praise God for His grace and love!