Biblical Discipleship — Recovery Guidance — Ministry Support
We help individuals and ministries move forward through Christ-centered discipleship counseling, recovery placement guidance, coaching, and administrative ministry support.
About Mourning Dove
About Mourning Dove Discipleship Counseling, Inc. 501(c)(3)
Mourning Dove Discipleship Counseling exists to help individuals and ministries move forward through Christ-centered guidance, practical support, and biblical discipleship.
Life challenges can leave people feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or uncertain about the next step. Whether facing addiction, navigating a difficult season, seeking spiritual growth, or leading a ministry in need of support, we believe God provides wisdom, direction, and hope through His Word.
Our mission is to walk alongside individuals and ministries with clarity, compassion, and biblical truth — helping people take faithful steps toward healing, growth, and renewed purpose.
Our Focus
Mourning Dove provides support in three primary areas:
Recovery Placement & Guidance
Helping individuals and families find Christ-centered recovery programs and support resources when addiction or life disruption requires structured care.
Discipleship Counseling & Coaching
Encouragement and practical, Scripture-centered guidance for those seeking clarity, growth, and direction in life, relationships, and personal challenges.
Ministry Support & Development
Administrative and operational support for ministries seeking to strengthen their structure, expand their reach, and build sustainable, effective programs.
Our Approach
We believe lasting change happens when truth and grace are applied together. Our approach emphasizes:
• Biblical wisdom and discipleship
• Practical next steps for real-life challenges
• Compassionate, non-judgmental guidance
• Faithful stewardship of the opportunities God provides
Every situation is unique. We seek to listen carefully and respond thoughtfully so that individuals and ministries receive support that best fits their needs.
About Barbara and Heath
Mourning Dove Discipleship Counseling is led by Barbara Benfield (previously published as Barbara Finney Benfield) and Heath Benfield, who share a deep commitment to helping others grow in faith, clarity, and purpose.
Barbara brings experience in discipleship counseling, coaching, ministry leadership, and resource development. Her work focuses on helping individuals and ministries move from vision to faithful execution through biblical guidance and practical structure.
Heath serves as a pastor, teacher, and counselor, with a strong emphasis on evangelism and discipleship. He is passionate about walking alongside others as they grow in their relationship with Christ and pursue lasting transformation.
Together, Barbara and Heath serve individuals, families, and ministry leaders who desire Christ-centered direction and support.
Our Heart
We believe God often uses seasons of difficulty to draw people into deeper faith, renewed purpose, and restored hope.
It is our privilege to walk alongside those who are seeking the next faithful step.
... more about Barbara and Heath ...
Barbara Benfield
Founder and Co-Director
Barbara Benfield is the founder and co-director of Mourning Dove Discipleship Counseling and Mourning Dove Publishers. She was called into ministry in 2012 after a 20-year career in the finance industry.
Barbara holds a master’s degree in Christian Apologetics from Liberty University and a bachelor’s degree in Christian Counseling and Biblical Studies from Laurel University (formerly John Wesley College). She is a board-certified Christian Life Coach and a North Carolina Peer Support Specialist (NCPSS).
She is deeply committed to helping individuals find freedom from addiction and the shame that often accompanies it. Through Scripture-centered guidance, practical discipleship, and personal testimony, Barbara speaks both grace and truth into the lives of those she serves.
Barbara shares openly about her own story of redemption:
“I was a functioning alcoholic. From the outside, my life looked good—sports car, custom home, boat, condo at the ski lodge. But on the inside, my life was falling apart. After several severe situations happened at once, and exhausted from the battle with alcohol, I cried out to God—and He met me there. As I began to pursue Him, He pursued me right back. Nothing in this life compares to a relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Barbara has served in a variety of ministry roles, including helping develop program structure and operational systems for addiction-focused ministries. She played a key role in the early development of First Contact Addiction Ministries following its 501(c)(3) establishment, where she later served as Director of Placements and Strategic Planning.
Today, Barbara focuses on expanding access to biblical counseling, coaching, and recovery support—equipping individuals, churches, and ministries with resources where biblical truth meets daily living. Barbara is also the author of multiple Scripture-centered discipleship and recovery resources, previously published under the name Barbara Finney Benfield.
Heath Benfield
Co-Director, Pastor
Heath Benfield serves as co-director of Mourning Dove Discipleship Counseling. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from Liberty University and an associate’s degree in Religion and Christian Ministries from Fruitland Baptist Bible College. He has been serving in ministry since 2014 and currently serves as a pastor, teacher, and counselor at Bethel Colony of Mercy, while also supporting other ministry efforts.
Heath is passionate about sharing the gospel and pointing others to Jesus Christ. Whether in everyday conversations or unexpected moments, he looks for opportunities to speak about what the Lord has done in his life. He is deeply committed not only to evangelism, but to discipleship—believing that those who follow Christ are called to help others do the same.
Heath has been closely involved in addiction ministry since 2015 and has a heart for walking alongside men as they grow in faith and pursue lasting transformation. He often says, “You have to be a disciple to make a disciple,” and he lives this out by consistently investing in relationships, learning from mature believers, and pouring into others.
Those who know Heath often remark that it is evident he has spent time with Jesus. He is quick to redirect that encouragement, emphasizing that apart from Christ, he is nothing, and that all glory belongs to the Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Heath is married to Barbara Benfield, and together they are devoted to helping others find freedom, healing, and new life in Jesus Christ.