Trusted Friendship
Wise Counsel
Faithful Leaders

Trusted Friendship | Wise Counsel | Faithful Leaders

OUR MISSION

To strengthen a man’s commitment to Christ by helping develop trusted friendships and offering sound biblical counsel.

Encouragement, direction, and wise counsel from trusted friends and mentors are sought after by all. Men today need trusted relationships to strengthen their faith and resolve to be servant leaders at home, at work, in the community, and in their local church.

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another –

Proverbs 27:17

Our Approach

We use the following key strategies to develop and grow trusted friend
and mentor relationships and to break down barriers that prevent
men from seeking out wise counsel. In all do we seek to glorify God
and strengthen men and their families in the local church.

Biblical Counseling

Drawing on scriptural wisdom, our biblical counseling helps men rise above struggles, invite God’s healing, and regain hope amid life’s inevitable trials.

Leadership Equipping

Faithful leaders are needed who shepherd the people in their groups with love and intentionality. To equip leaders in this role, The Forge offers a  curriculum combining practical group facilitation skills and biblical counseling principles to help those they lead find help, hope, and guidance within their group

Interest & Activity Groups

Men bond over common interests like sports, hobbies, and projects. We combine these shoulder-to-shoulder activities with meaningful discussions about life and faith. These groups offer men the opportunity to process together and receive wise counsel as they grow in trusted friendships.

The world tells men, asking for help is “weakness”...

Executive Director 

TIM FRAIM

Chief Development Officer

CHAD SEBBY

Operations Manager

Dr. John Blackburn

Co-Founder, Biblical Counselor

JEREMY GILES

Biblical Counselor

Executive Director 

TIM FRAIM

Chief Development Officer

CHAD SEBBY

Operations Manager

Dr. Matthew Mbanga

Forge Zimbabwe Director

Co-Founder, Biblical Counselor

Clay Rojas

Biblical Counselor

Michael Schiferl, LCFMT

Biblical Counselor

JEREMY GILES

Biblical Counselor

Monty Miller, LCSW, LSCSW

Biblical Counselor

Office at Aspiria

6550 Sprint Pkwy, Unit 200
Overland Park, Kansas 66211

(913) 392-3147

Monday – Friday: – By Appointment
Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Staff Information

Jeff Brabec: [email protected]  

John Blackburn:[email protected] 

Tim Fraim: [email protected]  

Chad Sebby:  [email protected]

JEFF BRABEC

Executive Director

Jeff serves as Executive Director and as a part of the biblical counseling team at The Forge. Prior to this, Jeff received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in engineering and worked in the engineering field designing power plants from 2012-2021. Though he enjoyed engineering and problem solving, Jeff found purpose and meaning as he developed trusted friendships among the men he worked with through daily workouts, sports leagues, bible studies, and camping trips.

These men showed Jeff that trusted friends and mentors who are willing to provide wise counsel are invaluable to a man’s walk with Christ. As Jeff became increasingly aware that these relationships are often rare among men today, the desire to help other men develop trusted relationships and fise wise biblical counsel became a calling in 2021, and he left his job as a mechanical engineer to pursue a Masters Degree in Biblical Counseling and to co-found The Forge. He is driven now by his desire for men to experience freedom from addiction, hope amidst depression, and purpose for life by building on the foundation of faith in Jesus Christ.

Jeff met Kaila in high school and they have been married for 13 years. They have 5 kids, Iven, Elayne, Jeromiah, Symeon, and Judah. They serve to keep Jeff on his toes spiritually, mentally, and of course physically. To make a long story short, Jeff is blessed with an incredible family! 

When not with his family or at The Forge, Jeff enjoys working in the garden, playing any kind of sport, and going on survival trips with other men.

 

Home

Chief Development Officer

Since 2008, Tim has been dedicated to full-time ministry, spanning from his missionary work in Brazil to his involvement in anti-human trafficking efforts. His journey has been marked by a steadfast commitment to deep, transformational discipleship, driven by his profound love for the

In his current role as the Chief Development Officer at The Forge, Tim’s vision is clear: to empower men to embrace their calling and fulfill their God-given potential. Through his leadership, Tim aspires to cultivate an environment where individuals are equipped to become the transformative forces they were meant to be.

CHAD SEBBY

Operations Manager

Chad has been a part of the Forge staff since August of 2023. In the previous 20+ years, he served the local church in a variety of ways. Worship and discipleship ministries have made up the most of the past two decades since graduating from Trinity International University. With a deep love of theology, people, conversation and music he has a passion to bring people together, for the purpose of intentional and relational gospel opportunities that lead to true hope and healing found only in Jesus. For spiritual growth, Chad sees a deep connection when going deeper with God personally, discipling others and being in a gospel-centered community. Feeling a shift in his calling from worship and toward biblical counseling

Chad is now privileged to be a part of The Forge team. Having experienced his own share of anxiety and depression and getting the help he needed, he is now excited to be a part of an organization that is committed to help other men find trusted friends, grow in their personal leadership and seek wise counsel. As operations manager at the Forge Chad floats between the everyday organizational details, finances. scheduling, event planning, communication, mentoring, and just about anything else that comes up in a non-profit organization. Chad is in the process of getting a certification in biblical counseling as well.

Chad has been married to Renae since 2007, has three children and two dogs. He loves to read, hike, travel, take photos and spend time outdoors, especially in the mountains, with his family.

JOHN BLACKBURN

Biblical Counseling Director

Dr. John Blackburn is co-founder of The Forge with nearly 40 years of pastoral ministry in Ohio, Indiana, and Kansas. Holding Bachelor of Arts, Master of Religious Education, and Doctor of Religious Studies degrees, he is also a Board Certified Christian Counselor and Professional Certified Life Coach.  At The Forge, John serves as the head of biblical counseling services, while also contributing significantly to our publications and biblical counseling materials. He also serves as a Corporate Chaplain and has his own private counseling practice called Soul Care Services.

John’s passion lies in ministering to couples, families, men, and anyone in need. John and his wife, Beth, have been happily married since 1982, with three married children and twelve grandchildren.

JEREMY GILES

Biblical Counselor

Jeremy is a founding member of The Forge and serves as a Biblical Counselor.

Jeremy has earned a Master of Religion–Pastoral Counseling degree, graduating with High Distinction from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia in 2020. He also has earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Political Science from the University of Kansas.

Jeremy and his wife, Celsea, have been happily married since 2008. They have two young children and have been foster parents to eleven other children at various times in the past.  

Jeremy’s passion areas are ministering to anyone seeking to overcome an abusive background, helping men to be servant leaders to their families, and providing caring support for anyone in need. He aims to help men overcome the obstacles that life so often throws their way which can prevent them from being the husbands, fathers, sons, friends and mentors they would like to be. Through critical self-examination and sound biblical tools, Jeremy helps men come to a greater understanding of who God made them to be and helps them live in light of that gift.

 

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