Welcome to Light in the Storm.
I'm Chaplain Mark O'Reilly — a Licensed Chaplain with an MA in Christian Counseling and more than 40 years of experience walking with people through life's hardest seasons. I am licensed and endorsed by Chaplain Fellowship Ministry. ✔ Now accepting new clients · ✔ Telehealth appointments available · ✔ Online sessions available I provide Christian chaplaincy, biblical counseling, crisis support, and practical guidance for individuals and families. With four decades in mental-health care, dementia and hospice support, trauma response, and conflict de-escalation, my role is to help you regain clarity, calm, and direction. A note on what I offer: I provide pastoral and biblical counseling, not licensed clinical therapy. If you need a licensed mental-health professional, I'm glad to point you to trusted counselors through my Referrals page. Whether you're navigating emotional upheaval, caring for a loved one, facing spiritual questions, or simply needing a grounded voice to help you take the next step, I'm here to offer steady, porch-level support — a warm, down-to-earth, neighborly presence rooted in Scripture and human relationship. A note on sessions: sessions are offered by phone, online, or in person on a free-will offering basis. If you're in immediate danger or having thoughts of harming yourself, please call 911 or 988 right away. If you're exploring services or considering reaching out, I'm glad you're here.
Support that doesn't try to fix you
I don't offer quick answers or easy fixes. Instead, I bring a quiet, steady presence to the hard seasons in Sparta, Michigan. Now accepting new clients — online and telehealth sessions available. Sessions offered by phone, online, or in person.
Biblical counseling
Scripture-grounded guidance for grief, heavy burdens, and life's hard questions, offered in 60-minute sessions.
Crisis & trauma care
A calming presence in fragile places like hospitals, hospice rooms, and after police calls. I come to you.
Care for Plain families
Respectful, unhurried care for Amish and Mennonite families. I come to your home, honor your church and Ordnung, and your family is always welcome.
You never have to apologize here
I once met a teenager who apologized to me for his tic, almost to the point of tears. I told him, “Don’t ever be sorry for your tic. It makes you special, and it makes you who you are.” Whether you live with tics, autism, ADHD, or a developmental or physical disability, you are welcome here just as God made you. I offer patient, judgment-free care for people with special needs and for the families who love and care for them. Teens are always seen with a parent’s knowledge and permission.
40 years of quiet presence
Names and details are withheld to protect client privacy. Shared with permission.
I was having trouble in my marriage, my kids, and medications. Chaplain Mark was able to help me figure things out.
C.H.
Counseling client
Chaplain Mark helped my husband and I in our marriage — we were headed for divorce but Chaplain Mark helped us to see and communicate better.
A.S.
Marriage counseling client
Chaplain Mark helped me get a grip on my anxiety attacks, both at work and at home. My flashbacks were so bad, but working on the reasons helped me identify them and control them before they struck — and he officiated my wedding.
Anonymous
Counseling client
I suffer from flashbacks, anxiety, and panic attacks from an experience of physical and sexual abuse from a former boyfriend. I am currently talking with Chaplain Mark and working through the nightmares and memories that continue to surface. I'm so glad the Chaplain was recommended to me.
Anonymous
Counseling client
The first hour with Mark in Sparta
Every session is an unhurried hour — in person in Sparta, by phone, or securely online. You set the pace, and nothing is forced.
Listen
The first hour is yours. Mark listens without an agenda.
Speak
Share as much or as little as you need. There is no pressure to perform.
Sit
Quiet presence matters. Sometimes we simply sit together in the storm.
Rest
You leave with a moment of peace, not a to-do list of feelings.