Our Biblical Counselors
Carey and Rynette Olson
Carey and Rynette Olson founded Elijah’s Tree in August, 2017 after serving in pastoral ministry over 35 years in both Converge and SBC churches in Bradenton, FL, Niceville, FL, Peoria, AZ, and Bloomington, MN. The combination of their gifts, experience, and understanding of the rigors and challenges of ministry suit Carey and Rynette very well for Elijah’s Tree. Here’s what they say about this ministry: “We are very much aware of the widespread need for biblical care and encouragement among vocational ministers in this country. At this stage of our lives, our clear calling and heart is to provide confidential, accessible, God-centered, Christ-magnifying, Scripture-saturated shepherding and encouragement for pastors, pastoral couples, missionaries and chaplains who are burned out, hurting and wounded.” Carey and Rynette have been married for 45 years, and God has blessed them with two sons and one daughter. Seth and his wife, Jennifer, have three daughters, and they live in Niceville, Florida; Benjamin lives in Winter Haven, Florida; and Rachel and her husband, Joel, have one daughter and two sons, and they live in Whittier, CA.
Carey and Rynette’s home is in Valparaiso, FL.
The Olsons are thankful to minister under the banner of The Biblical Counseling Institute, an outstanding ministry founded and led by Dr. Ab Abercrombie.
T.J. and Laurie Kollar
TJ is a graduate of The Citadel. He and his wife Laurie were married in July 1984. Afterward, TJ began a 30-year flying career in the USAF and USAF Reserves. In 2014, he retired from military service. In 1986, TJ accepted Christ as his personal Savior and Lord and was immediately under God’s call to pastoral ministry. In 2005, TJ completed his Master of Divinity at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS). During his 30+ years of ministry, he has served as a Student Pastor, Lead Pastor, Discipleship Pastor, and Executive Pastor. In May of 2024, TJ retired from full-time local church ministry, and he & Laurie became ministry partners with long-time friends Carey & Rynette Olson of Elijah’s Tree to assist in providing biblical care & counseling to pastors, pastoral couples, missionaries, and chaplains. TJ and his wife Laurie have been blessed with four daughters & son-in-laws and six grandchildren. Lauren and Jason Walls – their children Finley & Elliott, Lindsey and Nate Ghoens – their children Raegan & Emmy, Leigh Ann and Travis Todd – their son Henry, and Lydia and Dalton Leis – their daughter Lennon.
Our Location
Elijah’s Tree counselors are located in Valparaiso, Florida near the beautiful beach communities of Santa Rosa Beach, Miramar Beach and Destin.
About Our Ministry
Elijah’s Tree counselors are called to bless pastors and their wives, missionaries, and chaplains with a safe, caring, relational environment in which to offload their burdens and share their discouragement and pain.
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