Renowned psychologist and minister Richard Dobbins passed away Tuesday at his home in Naples, Florida. He was 86.
Rev Dobbins was a prolific writer, as well as a celebrated counselor and spiritual leader. He is considered a pioneer in the field of Christian mental health services.
Dobbins was ordained in 1946 by the Illinois District of the Assemblies of God after studying at the Eastern Bible Institute and the Central Bible Institute – now known as Valley Forge Christian College, and Central Bible College.
He and his late wife, Delores, founded Evangel Temple Assembly of God in Akron, Ohio. They had three children.
After receiving a PhD in guidance and counseling, Rev Dobbins began EMERGE Ministries – a Christian mental health center that offers abuse, addiction, grief, and other types of counseling. He also received a Doctorate of Humanities diploma from Ashland Theological Seminary in 1994.
After 30 years at EMERGE, Dobbins shifted his focus to educating and empowering the next generation of Christian psychologists.
He founded the Dr Richard D Dobbins Institute of Ministry (RDDIM) in 2003 – an accredited online program for seminary and counselling students. According to its website, RDDIM's mission is to "re-create all Dr Richard D Dobbins' teachings and make available for future generations the knowledge and experience God has graciously shared with him over the last 60 some years," and to "help people apply biblical truth in their pursuit and celebration of a practical and healthy faith. "
Also in 2003, Rev Dobbins was honored by the American Association of Christian Counsellors for his breakthrough work in the field of Christian psychological services.
Dobbins helped thousands of people throughout the course of his career. One person, Rev Jack Strom, shared the testimony of how Dobbins—who Strom refers to by the nickname, "Doc"—helped him and his family.
"'Doc' partnered with my wife, Barb, and me in a journey of healing and restoration almost 25 years ago," he told Charisma News. "It was much more than a moment ... he helped me develop an ongoing life attitude and action that still results in our experiencing marriage and family with joy and fulfillment."
Dobbins was married to his second wife, Priscilla, for 20 years.
Rev Dobbins' funeral will be led by Pastor Wayne Blackburn at Victory Church in Lakeland, Florida on June 10 at 11 a.m. There will be a visitation at 9 a.m. A memorial service will be held at EMERGE Ministries in Akron, Ohio on June 18 at 7pm.
