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Address:
323 Airport Rd., Auburn, AL 36830
Contact:
info@lifepastoralcounseling.com
Schedule an Appointment
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ABOUT US

leading people to become emotionally and spiritually healthy

Learn more about the heart behind Life Pastoral Counseling and why we exist.
Our Counselors
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Our Story

Life Ministries was founded by Randy and Melody Hemphill in March of 2010 in Birmingham, AL.  Randy and Melody began ministering to couples out of their personal marriage story of brokenness and restoration.  Married in 1995, they never expected to walk through the depths of relational heartbreak that they experienced.  In 2003, they were faced with the decision to end their marriage, or to take steps to address the broken places in each of their lives, with the hope of a restored marriage.  Years of hard work led to a new relationship, and a calling to use their story of healing to help other couples.  Life Ministries began as a ministry serving marriages with retreats, pastoral counseling, and community.  Sharing their story in an effort to shine a light on the Gospel message has been the foundation of Life Ministries from the beginning.

Over the years, God has taken an initial act of obedience and developed a ministry that they could not have foreseen.  Through retreats, conferences, books, and teaching, Randy and Melody have had the opportunity to walk with thousands of individuals and couples around the country longing to experience the hope of Jesus in the messiness of life.  Life Pastoral Counseling has become the primary avenue for that to take place, and in the Summer of 2023 they moved to Auburn, AL to begin serving the Auburn community, in connection with their church, All Christ Church.  Randy, along with a team of other experienced counselors, provides pastoral counseling to individuals and couples with the desire to lead people to become emotionally and spiritually healthy.
Our Counselors
Dr. Randy Hemphill
Executive Director | Pastoral Counselor
***Currently not accepting new clients
Background
Randy loves adventure, books, films, and great stories. His love of the outdoors took him on two Kilimanjaro climbs just shy of 20K feet. Growing up the last of four sons in a minister’s home shaped a love for the local church. He and Melody have been married since 1995 and have 3 sons and 1 daughter. His passion for local church health informs the way he counsels and leads Life Pastoral Counseling.
Education
Randy received a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Christian Ministries from Campbell University. He received the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Beeson Divinity School of Samford University. His doctorate specialized in pastoral counseling and leadership in the local church. His dissertation, Rooted in Ancient Soil: A Restorative Process of Spiritual Direction for Men, argued for a return to spiritual direction as the primary focus for local pastors. He has written 30 Days of Hope for Hurting Marriages with his wife Melody along with The Restored Man: Becoming a Man of God. He is currently writing a book on how to grieve life’s losses and disappointments.
Pastoral and Counseling Experience
After serving in various staff positions in local churches, Randy and his wife founded LIFE Ministries in 2010. He is a licensed minister and trained pastoral counselor. He is a certified Prepare/Enrich counselor and trainer. He has also developed several assessment tools for individuals and organizations. He works with both individuals and couples in the areas of identity and intimacy. He specializes in grief, addictions, and marital turmoil. His unique counseling process has two phases: Self awareness and StoryWork. Randy has also led retreats, workshops, and conferences for local churches through the southeast.
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Anne Marie Miller
Pastoral Counselor
Background
Born in Atlanta, GA, Anne Marie has lived in the south her whole life, moving to and staying in Auburn from 12 years old to present. She met her husband Tyler, Residency Pastor at All Christ Church, while interning at ACC. They have been married since 2019, and have three wonderful children, Maverick, Eliana, and Judah. The Lord’s faithfulness has been extremely impactful in Anne Marie’s life, from wanting to be a counselor since she was 8 years old, to marrying Tyler. She is passionate about sharing His faithfulness to those around her, including her clients.
Education
Anne Marie received a Bachelor degree in Human Development and Family Studies at Auburn University with a minor in Philanthropy and Non-Profit Studies. She received her Master of Education degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Auburn University as well. Anne Marie spends a significant amount of time pursuing continuing education, specifically in integrating theology  and clinical counseling as well as trauma-focused counseling.
Pastoral and Counseling Experience
Anne Marie began her counseling experience with the Family and Children Services of East Alabama Mental Health Center in 2021. She gained experience in play therapy, child development, and resourcing clients well. Anne Marie then took a year off to care for her children and ask the Lord where she should be. She now has been with LPC for a few years using her skills in EMDR, somatic therapy, trauma-focused therapy, and integration of Scripture and spiritual health with clinical experience.
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Mary Elizabeth Blake, MA, ALC
Pastoral Counselor
Background
Mary Elizabeth is originally from Pensacola, Florida, but she has called many southeastern states her home over the past 10 years. She and her husband, Caleb, met through a campus ministry at Auburn. After graduating and getting married, they worked together in campus ministry, where Mary Elizabeth developed a passion for helping others see where God has intricately woven his gospel of grace into their unique stories. Mary Elizabeth and Caleb have been blessed with two kids, Everett and Augusta.
Education
Mary Elizabeth graduated from Auburn with a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies. She later earned her Master of Arts in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS.
Pastoral and Counseling Experience
After finishing seminary training for counseling, Mary Elizabeth pursued her LPC in Mississippi. She worked in community mental health for almost 2 years before entering into private practice. She obtained her LPC in Mississippi in 2022, and she is also pursuing full licensure in Alabama.  Mary Elizabeth is certified in Gottman Levels 1 and 2, Prepare-Enrich, and telemental health. She enjoys helping clients use the creativity that God gave them to be resourceful in their inner healing.
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Dr. Gary Hallquist
Pastoral Counselor
Background
Gary Hallquist is a seasoned pastor, counselor, and seminary instructor who loves walking with people through the joys and sorrows of life. Born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, he married his high school sweetheart in 1975, and together they have been blessed with three children and nine grandchildren. After nearly five decades of ministry and a long tenure in local church leadership, Gary retired from full-time church ministry in 2024. He and his wife then moved to Auburn to be near their two daughters and their families, who have called Auburn home for many years. Through his years of serving in numerous churches, Gary developed a deeply pastoral heart for people, which in the last decade led him from music ministry into biblical counseling.
Education
Gary has five college degrees: three in music/worship and two in theology/counseling. His counseling training resulted in a Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is an avid reader of theological books and has been a professor at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Shepherds Theological Seminary—where he continues as an adjunct professor in biblical counseling.
Pastoral and Counseling Experience
Alongside his classroom work, Gary has completed all three levels of training in the Gottman Method of marriage counseling and has spent thousands of hours in individual and couple’s counseling. He especially loves helping husbands and wives walk through marital struggles with hope and clarity. He is also experienced in counseling related to grief, anxiety, depression, anger, and the full range of spiritual issues that believers face. His doctoral dissertation focused on anger and its wise, biblical care. At the heart of Gary’s ministry is a simple conviction: counseling is the careful, compassionate application of God’s Word to shape a life that reflects the glory of God. He loves to point people to Christ, the Wonderful Counselor, who knows our weaknesses, understands our humanness better than we do, and welcomes us to find rest and help in Him.
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Brett Hemphill
Pastoral Counselor
***Currently seeing Clients in Dothan, AL or Virtually
Background
Brett is an avid cyclist and loves spending early mornings on long-distance bike rides. He and his wife, Shawn, have been married since 1989 and have three grown daughters and two granddaughters. Their family’s journey, including decades of caring for two daughters with significant health challenges, has profoundly shaped Brett’s understanding of pain, perseverance, grace, and the faithfulness of God.
Education
Brett received his BA from the Baptist University of Florida in 1992. Brett is a certified Biblical Trauma Care Specialist. Over the last several years, he has pursued in-depth training and hands-on experience in trauma-informed care, spiritual formation, and emotional health. This has equipped him to walk alongside clients toward healing and lasting change.
Pastoral and Counseling Experience
Brett has 37 years of pastoral ministry experience, serving in various churches throughout the Southeast. He is a certified SYMBIS counselor and trainer. His experience includes walking with individuals and couples through difficult seasons, helping families navigate complex circumstances, and creating an environment where people can be honest about their struggles and take meaningful steps toward growth.
More than anything, Brett wants the people he works with to know they are not alone. His hope is to create a space where people can be seen, heard, understood, and reminded that God is not finished with their story.
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