About Journey U
Reimagined Biblical Counseling for Lasting Transformation
Journey U exists to heal and equip the Body of Christ by making biblical healing and discipleship accessible, practical, and sustainable.
We help people heal from the inside out so they can live the life God created them to live, regardless of their circumstances.
Healing isn’t just possible. It’s the beginning of everything God has for you.
Our mission
To heal and equip the Body of Christ.
Our vision
We envision a Body of Christ that is healed, whole, and equipped to live the life God created them to live, regardless of their circumstances, and empowered to bring hope and healing to others.
Our promise
We help people heal from the inside out so they can:
✔ Walk in freedom
✔ Grow in spiritual maturity
✔ Live with purpose
✔ Bring hope and healing to future generations
What Makes Journey U Different
Biblical Counseling Reimagined
Our approach is:
✔ Biblically grounded
✔ Accessible from anywhere
✔ Affordable for individuals and families
✔ Emotionally safe
✔ Community-centered
✔ Practical and actionable
✔ Focused on healing the root—not just managing symptoms
✔ Designed for lasting transformation, not temporary inspiration
Every conversation, resource, course, and community experience is intentionally created to move people toward healing, discipleship, purpose, and legacy.
our philosophy
Healing Is the Foundation—Not the Destination
Healing prepares people to become everything God created them to be.
Throughout Journey U, we encourage a lifelong rhythm of transformation:
Recognize
Become aware of unhealthy beliefs and patterns.
Repent
Turn from lies and embrace God’s truth.
Let Go
Release wounds, fear, shame, and unhealthy attachments.
Let God
Walk daily in freedom, faith, and renewed identity.
This rhythm is woven throughout every Journey U resource because lasting transformation is cultivated over a lifetime—not in a single moment.
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The Journey U Ecosystem
Journey U is more than one program.
It’s an integrated ministry designed to meet people wherever they are on their healing journey.
KNOWN
Where healing becomes a lifestyle.
KNOWN is Journey U’s monthly healing and discipleship community that helps members establish consistent rhythms of biblical reflection, authentic conversation, and spiritual growth.
Trace Modeling
Healing at the Root
Trace Modeling is Journey U’s signature biblical counseling methodology.
Instead of focusing only on behaviors, it helps uncover the beliefs, wounds, and thought patterns beneath recurring struggles so lasting healing can take place.
Books & Devotionals
Biblically grounded books and companion devotionals help reinforce healing principles and encourage everyday spiritual growth.
Speaking & Events
Journey U partners with churches, conferences, organizations, and leadership events to bring hope, biblical truth, and practical tools for lasting transformation.
Leadership Development
Healthy leaders build healthy families, ministries, businesses, and communities.
Journey U equips pastors, ministry leaders, parents, mentors, business leaders, and disciple-makers to lead from a place of healing and spiritual maturity.
Your Journey Starts Here
Every person begins somewhere different.
Some come carrying deep wounds.
Some are searching for answers.
Some desire greater spiritual maturity.
Others simply want to know God more deeply.
No matter where you’re starting,
Journey U welcomes you.
Our goal isn’t simply completing content.
Our goal is transformed lives.
Building a Legacy of Healing
Healing doesn’t stop with one person.
As God transforms individuals, they begin influencing their:
- Families
- Churches
- Workplaces
- Communities
- Future generations
Healing leads to equipping.
Equipping leads to multiplication.
Multiplication creates legacy.
OUR STORY
A Legacy of Healing
For nearly two decades, Journey U has continued to grow while remaining faithful to one mission: helping people experience biblical healing, lasting transformation, and deeper discipleship through Jesus Christ.
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2007
South Texas Refreshing Spring Healing Center
Journey U began as South Texas Refreshing Spring Healing Center, founded by Rosemary Burkhard to provide biblical prayer ministry and healing.
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2011
Refreshing Spring Ministries
Leadership transitioned to Sherry Torbert, continuing the ministry’s mission of biblical healing and restoration.
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2017
Journey U Begins
Laura Bradshaw became president, expanding the vision to focus on healing, discipleship, and equipping the Body of Christ.
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2020
Healing Without Borders
Journey U transitioned online, making biblical healing accessible to people regardless of location.
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2023
Trace Modeling Launches
Journey U introduced Trace Modeling, its signature methodology for biblical counseling and root-level transformation.
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Today
Growing the Mission
Journey U equips individuals, churches, ministries, and organizations through Trace Modeling, KNOWN, books, speaking, leadership development, and strategic partnerships.
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The Future
Building a Legacy
Preparing future generations to live healed, equipped, and ready to bring hope and healing to others.
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Begin Your Journey Today
Healing is possible.
Freedom is possible.
Transformation is possible.
Journey U exists to help you heal from the inside out, walk closely with God, and become equipped to bring hope and healing to others.
MEET THE TEAM
Laura Bradshaw
Journey U President
Laura has been in ministry since 2011. She is an author, speaker, life coach, and prayer minister. During her time at Journey U she has launched many Christ followers into their callings as well as seeded into many new ministries. Laura is motivated by seeing believers in Christ, walk in the true purposes that God has called them to through healing, training, and equipping the body of Christ. Laura brings a unique perspective gained from her testimony and paired with biblical truth that empowers others as they apply the “Trace Modeling” Curriculum in their own lives.
Alexis Baddoo
Director of Marketing
Alexis is a graduate of the University of Houston with a degree in Advertising and has served as a Texas educator for over 15 years. After a life-changing encounter with the Lord on 2.22.22, she began her healing journey through Journey U, and exactly three years later, on 2.22.25, became a graduate of the program. Now serving as Journey U’s Director of Marketing, Alexis combines her professional expertise with a passion for helping others find freedom in Christ. She is married with two children, an apologetics enthusiast, and, alongside her husband, a committed advocate for classical Christian education.
Kristine Reynolds
operations & ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
Kristine discovered Journey U through HealingStrong, another non-profit organization that aligns with vision and mission. Being a caregiver to a loved one in a health crisis led her to seek support. This exploration identified a need for deeper personal inner healing.
She began the journey into the Trace Modeling curriculum in January 2024. Graduating in February 2025 and continuing with other post-graduate curriculum led her to volunteering in February 2026. Soon thereafter she became employed by Journey U.
Kristine has a varied background in social work, music, preschool music educator, health advocate, fitness instructor and biblical studies. She has a passionate desire for mind, body and spirit connection. Encouraging others into wholeness and freedom is a fulfillment of purpose and represents a lifetime of seeking healing for herself. She is blessed by her husband and her adult daughter.
ANgela Aberle
Dean of students
Angela worked in the field of Physical Therapy for 23 years, prior to stepping into full-time ministry with Journey U in 2020. She served in children’s ministry from 2005 to 2013 and in women’s ministry from 2011 to 2020. She is a graduate of the Trace Modeling curriculum, has facilitated the Journey U Trace Modeling curriculum from 2020 to current and is the Dean of Students for Journey U. Angela is happily married to her husband Paul and has two grown children. She is motivated by seeing those who are captive, set free and walking in their true identities in Christ.
Charles "Gordon" Lindsey
Chairman of the board
Gordan has been in the energy business for 40 plus years and is currently V.P. of Corporate Development for Talos Energy Inc. He is a primary supporter of Northgate Fellowship, a Texas Prison Outreach Ministry. Gordan was Board Chairman of a community outreach ministry for 10 plus years. He is happily married to his wife Beth, a highly recognized Christian Therapist for 31 years. He has been associated with Journey U since 2010. Gordan is honored to serve as Chairman of the Board for Journey U.
BRittany Hammerschmidt
Board member/Director
Brittany is an author and board member of Journey U who is passionate about walking alongside others in seasons of healing and restoration. Her writing is rooted in personal experience and reflects a deep trust in God’s presence, even when healing unfolds in unexpected ways. Brittany’s heart for service extends beyond Journey U through her philanthropic involvement with the Ronald McDonald House. Through both her authorship and her charitable work, Brittany embodies Journey U’s commitment to compassion, faith, and hope, believing that God meets us with grace and purpose in every season.
Dr. China Jenkins
Board member
Dr. China Jenkins serves as Dean of Academic Support and Resources at Houston Christian University, providing strategic leadership for programs that enhance student success. With 20 years of experience across community colleges, liberal arts colleges, research universities, and an HBCU, she has championed initiatives that integrate academic and student success. A longtime participant and supporter of Journey U, China is passionate about finding freedom in Christ through biblical counseling. Married to her husband, Franklin, for 25 years, they have two teenage sons, Donovan and Trace. In her free time, she enjoys making jewelry, watching movies, and exploring nature. An accomplished speaker, trainer, and author, her latest publication—a chapter on parenting a special needs child—appears in Woman to Woman: African American Voices on Faith, Resilience, and Joy (April 2025).
The Four Biblical Principles
We all struggle with life stuff. This stuff prevents us from fully experiencing God’s love and negatively affects our relationships with others. We help people recognize BOTH life patterns and negative behaviors and how they keep us stuck in life. We use key Biblical principles to help bring healing to every part of the being; body, soul, and spirit.
There are four spiritual principles that effect every relationship. Spiritual principles are like natural laws; whether you believe them are not or whether you know them or not, they are in effect.
We help people identify the patterns (or fruit) in their life that are the results of these biblical spiritual principles and give them practical ways to work through the bad and to increase the good. Just like understanding the law of gravity allowed the Wright brothers to design an airplane that uses gravity to our benefit, our clients will discover how to do the same with these 4 principles.
SOWING AND REAPING
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please the flesh, will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:7–9
JUDGEMENT
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and to the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1–2
HONORING FATHER AND MOTHER
"Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you." Deuteronomy 5:16
FORGIVENESS
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14–15
statement of faith
- We believe that all Scripture is inspired by God and that both the Old and New Testaments are inerrant in the original writings and are the supreme and final authority for faith and life. (2 Tim. 3:15–16)
- We believe that the Godhead exists in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and that these three Persons are one God. (Matt. 28:19)
- We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and His eternal existence as God; His incarnation and virgin birth; His death on the cross and the substitutionary atonement for sin; His literal bodily resurrection from the dead; and His present ministry of intercession in heaven. (Luke 1:34–38; I Peter 3:18; Heb. 2:9; Romans 5:9; Acts. 2:23–24; Heb. 8:1; Matt. 26:64)
- We believe that the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead, convicts men of sin and regenerates, baptizes, indwells, seals, and sets apart believers unto a holy life. We believe that the Holy Spirit also keeps and empowers believers day by day and that He is the teacher of the Word of God and the guide for daily living. We believe that all the gifts of the Holy Spirit as recorded in Scripture are available for use by the church today.
(John 14:15–18, John 16:13; Acts 1:8; John 16:7–11; Romans 12:48, Eph. 4:11; I Cor. 12:1–31: 14:1–40) - We believe that man was created innocent and pure and Adam fell through the sin of disobedience. Therefore, all men are corrupted in body, soul, and spirit and all men need to be born again. (Rom. 3:23)
- We believe that salvation is by grace, a free gift of God apart from works. Salvation is through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His blood shed on the cross for our sins. All who receive Jesus Christ are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and become children of God. True salvation will be manifested by a changed life. (I Cor. 15:20–13; John 3:35–36)
- We believe in the personal, visible, bodily return of Jesus Christ to the earth; the bodily resurrection of the just to the eternal abode in the glory of God’s presence; and the bodily resurrection of the unjust to judgment and everlasting punishment in the lake of fire. (Heb. 10:37; Luke 21:27; Titus 2:11–14)
- We believe marriage is a covenant, a sacred bond between one man and one woman. (Gen. 2:22–24; Matt. 19:4–6; Mark 10:6–9)