A counseling center in Columbus that has been a place of healing for more than a decade bears a new name, memorializing a man who propelled its formation. Chilly November weather did not deter those who sat outside Nov. 22 at First United Methodist Church for a service changing the name of the Shepherd’s Touch Counseling Center to the Rev. Dr. Walter L. Porter Center for Counseling Ministries.
In a written history of the center, Dr. Sam Morris, former lead pastor at FUMC and a longtime friend of Porter’s, recalled that the idea of establishing a counseling center at the church emerged during a meal the two had together in 2002.
“From that time on, it was all Walt,” Morris shared. “He guided the program, brought others into the broader ministry and personally worked with so many groups and individuals.”
Karen Graham Porter of Columbus describes her late husband as an humble, intelligent and genuine man who was “interested in everything.”
“He wanted the counseling center to thrive. … He was the kindest, most compassionate person I’ve ever known, and he had many ideas about things he wanted to do to create peace, starting within the community,” she said of the retired Methodist minister, counselor and former college professor who died Dec. 17, 2014.
One of Porter’s daughters, Laura Beth Berry of Columbus, knows that her father’s work touched many lives. The nature of that work, however, was very private.
“I don’t know unless people tell me that he helped them, but it happens a lot,” said Berry. “Often when someone finds out that he is my dad, they will say, ‘Oh, he saved my marriage,’ or, ‘He helped me during a dark time,’ or, ‘He changed my life.'”
Lucy Flowers worked with Porter and has remained as the center’s licensed professional counselor, providing services to the community at large. She characterizes him as a visionary who liked to bring people and groups together in ways that might make their lives and the community healthier.
In Morris’ words, the center that now bears Porter’s name “rose from the heart and dream of a passionate man who pursued the dream and became the instrument that brought it into being.”
Karen Porter said, “He wanted to make a difference in peoples’ lives, and I think he did. I know he did.”
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 46 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.