Tony Wheeler | EFC-MAYM Director of Pastoral and Church Health
Stacey and I are excited to share that we have new part time positions working at Friends University. We will continue working on the EFC-MAYM staff part time as Directors and love working with pastors and leaders in the Friends churches.
On June 1st of 2025, I completed three years as Co-Superintendent of the 60 churches under MAYM. I stepped down as Superintendent back to the original role as Director of Pastoral and Church Health, and then God opened this new assignment at Friends University. Stacey will remain as the Director of Communications and Church Planting Support for MAYM.
At Friends University, I will be the Director for Faith Resources and Stacey will join me in the same office as the Assistant Director. What do these titles mean? Lord willing, we will be a supportive resource for the students and surrounding Wichita community in the areas of mental health, marriage, and family.
I received a Master’s in Family Therapy from Friends University (MFT) (1991) and went on to earn a Ph.D. in Family Life Education and Consultation (2008) from Kansas State University, a degree specifically designed to create proactive programs to support families BEFORE they need help.
Stacey earned a Bachelor’s in English from Friends in 1991 and went on to earn a Master’s in English from Fort Hays State University in 2013. Stacey and I were professors for 7 years at Barclay College from 2009 to 2016. I taught and/or guest lectured at K-State, Moody Bible, Moody Theological Seminary, Pepperdine, Manhattan Christian College, and Phoenix Seminary.
I’ve had a private Christian counseling practice on the side for almost 35 years now, and have also been the Director of New Life Clinics—overseeing several of them– when we lived in Scottsdale. I traveled and taught seminars with Dr. John Trent, author of The Blessing (with Gary Smalley) for 16 years, from 2003-2019. I’m an author/contributor in the book Marriage: It’s Foundation, Theology, and Mission in a Changing World. Moody Publishing, 2018. Our desire is to help people find hope and healing, whether that is through counseling, education, or seminars.
We believe healing happens through Jesus Christ and through talking through problems with a trusted advisor and counselor who gains insight and divine wisdom through the Holy Spirit. Healing can happen, of course, just by sharing our struggles with one another, listening to each other, and encouraging one another—but we believe and know God is our Divine Counselor and Helper. Also, we believe counseling is a spiritual gift! Our son, Isaac, also earned his Master’s in the MFT program at Friends University (2015). I have the credentials to be licensed (education, supervision, counseling hours, etc.)—but have chosen not to pursue it for personal reasons.
Friends University is providing us a platform to extend our reach of caring for and supporting students, pastors, and Christian leaders in our city and surrounding areas, in the Yearly Meeting, and around the country. We’re hoping to encourage pastors and leaders to find support as they help individuals and couples and follow the Lord’s calling to minister hope and encouragement. Through these new roles, we’re planning, Lord willing, to create and offer a Christian Counseling Certificate and provide seminars at times to encourage healthy mental health for individuals and marriages. We’re thankful to Friends University President Dr. Amy Bragg Carey and Vice-President of Academic Affairs Dr. Ken Stoltzfus and Chairmen of the board, Dr. Thayne Thompson for opening this opportunity.
We are super excited to join the Friends University family! We feel blessed and honored to be considered for these new positions!
Follow Us!