Origins

The Philippi Trust was founded in 1989 by Rev Malcolm Worsley, FACC, a Church of England Minister and Probation Officer. He was a Founder Member of the Association of Christian Counsellors in the UK, and is an Honorary Fellow of the Association.

The vision for the Philippi Model of counselling grew out of Malcolm’s own life experiences and is based on Biblical foundations and supported by recognised advanced listening and responding skills. The Philippi Trust was registered as a charity in 1992, with five Trustees who were significant in Malcolm’s life – men and women whose wisdom and spiritual integrity were crucial in creating a sound foundation.

After establishing an initial Counselling and Training base in Blackpool, England, Malcolm saw within the Philippi Vision the potential to encompass overseas, in the shape of ‘Philippi International’. As a consequence, as well as local bases being established in the UK, overseas Branches were opened in Namibia, South Africa, Germany and Guernsey and a base in the USA. Additional training courses were also delivered in Northern Ireland, Belgium, Tenerife, Russia, and Brazil.

Malcolm made regular visits to all the Branches to offer encouragement, to ensure that standards were maintained, and to appoint local Trainers. He also approved locally-written Training Courses that had been designed to meet significant cultural problems in the overseas countries. Namibia and South Africa developed an excellent Counselling Service for HIV/AIDS and the Abuse of women and vulnerable children.

Malcolm continued to be a working member of the Association of Christian Counsellors in the UK and built up a team of volunteer Counsellors and Trainers from across all Church denominations, in the UK, Guernsey and Northern Ireland. The contribution of this group to the core values of Philippi, and the support they gave Malcolm is immeasurable. As the work expanded Malcolm was indebted to a number of individuals who he was able to delegate various responsibilities to until the goal of achieving recognition to Diploma level was reached in 2002. These saints have been recognised for their contributions in other Philippi documentation.

Although now retired, Malcolm maintains an interest in the continuing work of The Philippi Trust. Maintaining standards and protecting the Philippi Vision is now the responsibility of Philippi International.

Marianne Olivier-Sawyers, the founder of Philippi in Namibia served in evangelical missions training and mentoring.

She studied for an advanced diploma in Christian counselling with YWAM, UK and was accredited as counsellor by ACC UK.

She has since practised with Philippi in the UK before pioneering Philippi Trust Namibia.

Over the past decade Marianne has laid the foundations for Philippi in Namibia and has been instrumental in developing training and counselling throughout Namibia and in the Cape, RSA.

Her particular field of interest has been in Addictions, Sexual Abuse, HIV/AIDS and Counselling practise.

As a mature student Marianne studied for a BA degree in Community Development with the University of South Africa.

At the heart of the Philippi Trust is the Philippi Charter. It not only provides us with basic standards for Philippi Training and Counselling Practice, but puts Jesus as the focus of all we do:

1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but, in humility consider other better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:1-5