Julie Larsen was raised in a Christian home, always knowing about the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She credits her character and beliefs to her grandmother, Anne Larsen, who came to the United States in 1910 from Maarum, Denmark. Ms. Larsen’s grandmother and grandfather were homesteading and raising a family of 6 children during the Depression, while working to bring the Gospel to the world despite suffering the loss of two children, and the difficulties of the times in which they lived. They were involved in the needs for their local community, with missionaries, and their church. Anne Larsen was a leader in music (home lessons and church), Bible studies, and Ladies Aid Society starting in 1910. Also, when a traveling pastor didn’t show up she led the congregation in worship. She was the local midwife to many babies born, ministered to people in need (and wisdom), and led many who came in contact with her to the Lord. Julie’s grandparent's were true pioneers and shining examples of 95 years of Christian Spirited-living.
Julie Larsen graduated from high school and continued her education with business classes at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Ms. Larsen married and raised 7 children, with 3 natural births. Having owned a variety of businesses including a music store, World Market Cafe restaurant, Cakes Plus by Julie, catering business, specialty shop featuring gifts, nutrition, Christian books and products, and catering food to the military (United States Marine Corps, Navy, and National Guard) for over 4 1/2 years was a great honor. Julie started and organized other businesses to donate to needs of people in crisis. Also, she has been Christian Counseling since 1998, adding to her degrees for wisdom and knowledge to help educate people to help themselves. Now, her new book was released March 27, 2023 and in the process of developing a children counseling series with her grandchildren.
Julie believes even more strongly in helping others and sharing the Gospel around the world. Besides education in business (NWTC) she holds a Associate’s degree in Biblical Studies and a Bachelor's in Church Ministry from a Bible College. For accredited degrees at Liberty University, Larsen has attained: (BS) Religion; (BS) Psychology (Specializing in Christian Counseling); (MA) Counseling; (MDiv) counseling; (DMin) counseling: (EdD) 3 years in trauma and crisis counseling, trauma and crisis in culturally diverse populations, premarital and marital, family, adolescence, and more; and (PhD) over 3 years in Bible Exposition. She continues to learn in special areas to be more equipped for knowledge and wisdom to help people. Her new book was released March 27, 2023 called "Community Relational Soul Care." It can be purchased from her publisher WestBow Press that is a division of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.
Ms Larsen believes strongly in helping to meet the needs of others, especially during a crisis. People need to know there is HOPE, whether it be alcohol, homelessness, financial, drugs, depression, (prescription or illegal), abuse, grief (of all kinds), eating disorders, and much more common problems that can happen to anyone. Healing is a choice, but most of the time you don't know how to be helped. The mind is the battlefield, but one can have control over their own thoughts. There are special cases of mental disabilities. Everyone at one time or another has been hurt. Anyone can suppress unforgiveness for many years, but if there is no forgiveness it will never go away. It all comes back to GOD. Everyone wants to be loved, wanted, and have JOY (to be happy as the saying). Ms. Larsen starts from the beginning to help lead a person to God to restore one's relationship with Him, others, and God-centered self. There is a difference in knowing God through experiencing Him in a relationship. GOD is their HOPE. SGM, Inc helps to fill their immediate need, such as food or clothing and go from there. In the future, Shepherd's Gate Mission's, Inc will expand upon a recovery program for online counseling. There is help and HOPE no matter where you are in this world.
Julie Larsen has been a Sunday school teacher for over 40 years. Also, she is honored to be involved at her church for Women’s Mission Society (WOM) 26 years, Sunday school teacher, children's music director 26 years, youth coordinator, and on the Board of Evangelism and Board of Christian Education and more. Also, Larsen gives free Christian counseling, conducts Bible studies for children (while a perpetual student of the Bible herself), visit patients in nursing homes and Veteran's hospitals, and donates her time and money for the needy. Her lifestyle is that of helping those in need and reaching out to people with the Gospel of Christ. Julie has known poverty and success in her life and had to endure trials as most people. Believing strongly to apply biblical counseling and psychology to understand clients in all areas can only benefit the client. Julie was drawn to this conclusion while seeing depression, grief, alcohol and drugs in people, family, and friends. In addition, she has survived skin cancer (malignant melanoma), and overcoming other medical problems, which has not been easy. Also, surviving grief in divorce and in losing most of her family within a short time. This includes a sister in 2000, brother in 2001, along with babies and losing 18 family members and friends in less than 4 years. Ms. Larsen, her father, and 3 of her sons were hit by drunk drivers, as the last one was in March 2008. However, GOD has truly BLESSED Julie and her family, as their life is a testimony, which has only made her faith in the LORD grow stronger. She cherishes family time with her children, their spouses, and 10 grandchildren, and one great grandchild. She is self-employed with business, SHEPHERDS GATE, featuring J.L.Divine Designs, 501 (C) 3 non-profit. This website, Shepherdsgatemissions.com, is a calling to reach out and to help more people. As a servant of Jesus Christ, she will continue her education to further equip her to bring the Word of God to you and to continue to minister to those in need.
Julie believes that all the degrees count for nothing if you don’t apply one's heart for wisdom, knowledge, compassion and God's grace.
Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Proverbs 1:17 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction “. James 1:5 “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels”: Proverbs 2:5 “Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. James 3:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, Proverbs 2:6 “For the fear of the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:2 “So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom and apply thine heart to understanding; James 3:17 “ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. Matthew 24:14 says, ”And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; see also Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8
