The idea for the counselling service was first floated around 2003.

Reverend David Devine said the church wanted to use its land to serve the wider community.

He said a service to help people with relationship issues and problems such as anxiety were among the things that had been suggested.

Reverend Devine said the church's counselling service was looking to be a "complementary form of help" to what a psychologist may offer, and the church service would also aim to have moderate fees.

Counsellor Brian Massey has been a member of the Rowville Baptist Church congregation since 1998, and will be a key part of the service.

"I've had my own practice for over 10 years and I guess for me there's a wide range of background and experience I bring to the role."

Mr Massey said some people in the community were becoming more isolated and it was critical that people were given an opportunity, such as through a counselling service, to express how they feel about matters in their life.

"When people are trained to listen well, that provides another dimension that promotes wellbeing and wholeness for [the person being counselled].

"It relies heavily on the relationship between the counsellor and client and it's about building that relationship of trust and acceptance."

The new buildings that house the counselling service were officially launched on Sunday, with the service to be up and running by April.

Details: 9764 4242.