About Aletheia
What we Believe
We believe that the Bible, given by God, is sufficient for life. When properly interpreted, it reveals to the believer all the data necessary for one to understand his/her need for Christ, how he/she can please the Lord, and how to live in a God-honoring way regardless of the circumstances (whether comfortable or oppressive).
We believe the Bible is the authoritative source with which all truth claims- including claims made by science and history- must be evaluated. As a result, we reject all counseling theories that use presuppositions, principles, and/or methodologies that are inconsistent with the proper interpretation of the Biblical text.
We believe that genuine heart change is totally dependent on the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
We believe the Bible points us to a relationship with a person—Jesus Christ. The Bible was given to reveal Christ as the One who is able to make all things new.
We believe real and lasting change occurs when people know themselves and their problems within a living and vital relationship with Jesus Christ.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is important to Biblical counseling. But because this type of counseling uses the Bible as its final authority, we practice a policy of LIMITED CONFIDENTIALITY. We promise, in accordance with the Scriptures, to keep all counseling matters confidential except:
Areas where a legitimate law of man has been broken. We cannot promise to keep these matters from the proper authorities, because God has ordained these authorities (Romans 13:1-7).
Areas where we believe church discipline may be necessary, or is already necessary. Here we will encourage you to follow the steps taught in such passages at Matthew 18:15-20, and I Corinthians 5:1-5. We will only become involved directly if our failure to do so would hinder legitimate church discipline.
These two exceptions to confidentiality are the only ones we allow. They may never come up in your case, but because they might, and because we must counsel in accordance with Scripture, we require you to sign a confidentiality statement before we will begin counseling with you.
Who We Are
executive director
Jim Ricci
Jim was the Care and Counseling Pastor of the Cranston Christian Fellowship in Rhode Island for 28 years and is nationally board certified in Biblical Counseling with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (formerly the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors). He earned an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Community College of Rhode Island and studied Old and New Testament at Columbia International University in Columbia, South Carolina.
Jim is a decorated War Veteran who served in an elite unit in the Military. He was a Point Man with the 34th Infantry Platoon Scout Dog Unit. For one year he walked point leading a platoon of men, alerting them to booby traps, trip wires, snipers and ambushes. Through these various missions, battles and experiences, he has learned to turn obstacles into opportunities and pain into purpose.
Jim is currently the Director of Aletheia Counseling Ministries, a non-profit para-church organization that provides counseling services to the greater New England Region. Along with counseling and motivational speaking, he offers yearly counseling training, for individuals in the Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut area, who desire to become Biblical counselors in their churches. He also is the Associate Pastor of Stony Lane Church in North Kingstown, RI.
Our Board
Steve Abbott
Stephen grew up in Rhode Island and has been employed in the food service industry for the past 34 years. During the 1980's and 90's he was highly involved in the House Church planting movement in RI . In 2005 his family, along with 6 other families, planted Godspeed Fellowship Church in Seekonk, Ma. He currently serves as one of the 4 Elder leaders of the church.
Over the last 30 years, Stephen has served as an Elder and leader of several RI churches. His responsibilities have included teaching, preaching, counseling, leading, training, and overseeing the church. He also served on the board of the Phillps Center, a Christian out-reach and training organization, as well as on the board of Barrington Christian Academy.
He has been married for 31 years and has 2 grown children.
Rick Bringhurst
Rick has been a Believer in Christ for over 40 years. In that time, he has served as a deacon at New Hope Christian Church in Swansea, MA from 1989 until 1999. In 1999, Rick along with Pastor Peter Atkin and approximately 30 people from New Hope, started a church plant in North Kingstown, RI. Pastor Peter asked Rick to be an elder from day one of the church plant. Rick served in that capacity for 17 years.
In 2015 God called Rick and and his wife Kelly to serve in various roles at the Portsmouth Evangelical Friends Church in Portsmouth, RI. From July 2016 until mid January of 2017 served as the Interim pastor, until February 2017 when he and approximately 25 of member of the Portsmouth Friends Church began a new church with the blessing of the Friends Superintendent from their Ohio Headquarters.
Pastor Rick is currently the Senior Pastor of Stony Lane Church in North Kingstown, RI.
Mary Brennan
Throughout life's journey as a wife, mother, friend, Cranston Christian Fellowship church member and team leader, RI Wing Civil Air Patrol Director of Finance, and New York Life Financial Services Advisor, Mary has had the privilege of pouring positive influence into people as they have made investments into their own unique skills and talents. Some have achieved unexpected heights through consistent integrity, excellent character, and hard work. While Mary knows she wasn't the catalyst, she believes strong drive and focus come from within. She has stood alongside; cheering, advocating, and facilitating. Mary has been blessed with the ability to initiate the, albeit difficult, conversation to change a heart, home, work or community environment. More often, others have done this for me through counseling and excellent teaching.
Counseling has changed her life in such a positive way that she can't help being passionate about it! Mary is excited to embark on a mission to bring this precious resource to our community.
Richard Canning
Richard is currently the president and C.E.O. of R&J Property Solutions, Inc., a real estate investment company and has been in the construction industry since 1969. He has served as a project manager, scheduler and conceptual estimator. He has been responsible for many highly visible projects in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Some of the more recognizable are the Ocean House Hotel in Watch Hill, the Warwick Mall, Blue Cross Corporate headquarters in Providence, the Amica office campus in Lincoln, FM Global Test Center in Glocester, and the South Shore Plaza Mall addition in Braintree.
Richard is a co-founder of The Artic Mission, Inc. in West Warwick, which serves people in need. He has served as the president of this ministry and as a board member since its inception in 2001.
He is a Rhode Island resident and currently lives in Warwick with his wife, Jean, and their son, Josh.
board President
Sam Koldyk
Sam has extensive experience handling inventory and cost related issues. He currently serves at a local health distributor as the Inventory Lead. He also was employed in the radio communications field for many years including 9 years in Providence, RI.
Sam has extensive experience in community service, having previously led the CCF Mission board for 5 years and served on their Property Team. Before that, he was involved with many charitable outreaches/fundraisers for the community while employed in the communications industry including St. Jude, Autism Speaks and the Providence Rescue Mission.
Currently he serves at Greenwood Community Church in Warwick on the Financial Stewardship Committee, where he is currently a member. Sam is a Graduate with a double major from the University of Vermont.