Our Team
Grafted Life is staffed by a small and specialized team. We endeavor to model our value for relationship, prayer, discernment, and depth in our daily interactions.
Debbie Swindoll
Founder, Executive Director
Debbie loves to recognize how God integrates the different roles in our lives to equip us for ministry. Growing up in the church, being a wife, mother and grandmother, studying spiritual formation and training as a spiritual director all influence her perspective as she envisions and develops formation resources. “I am privileged to create structures for people that encourage them to come honestly into God’s presence to experience themselves and God in love and truth. That is a truly transforming encounter”.
As the founder of Grafted Life, she envisioned and co-authored 10 studies for the ministry. She currently writes, speaks, and consults on issues of relational theology and spiritual leadership and ministers as a spiritual director. She partners with Curt at their company, Current Strategies, helping Christian leaders integrate best spiritual practices into their work life. She and Curt have been married since 1981 and enjoy their relationships with their adult children and growing grandchildren.
Debbie received her training in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from Talbot’s Institute for Spiritual Formation at Biola University, completing her masters degree in 2007. She currently serves as the spiritual formation pastor at Journey Community Church.
Shelley Hudson
Director of Operations
Shelley serves in this operations role leading the internal team and managing the work to meet the visions and goals of Grafted Life. She delights in encouraging and supporting others as they explore and discover their strengths, talents, and gifts.
She earned her BS in Finance from University of Texas at Dallas in 2011 and has served in various operational & financial roles with corporations over her 35-year career. In 2023, she earned her MA in Spiritual Formation from George Fox University’s Portland Seminary. She is overjoyed to integrate her skills, loves, and talents into this role with Grafted Life.
Shelley is married to John, and has a son, Ryan, a daughter-in-law, Kelsie and two granddaughters, Sadie and Shiloh. She enjoys spending time with family, reading, and spending time outdoors, preferably near a river, a lake, or the ocean.
Kelly Arabie
Director of Grafted Life Studies
After growing up in the church and desiring to live for God and serve him wholeheartedly, through the ministry of Grafted Life, Kelly discovered the difference between living for God and doing life with God. As director of Grafted Life Studies, Kelly desires to help churches foster deeply transformative relationships with God and others.
A Louisiana native, Kelly relocated to the DFW area to attend Dallas Theological Seminary in the late 1990’s. She graduated with an MA in Christian Education with a focus on ministry to women. Kelly has served in pastoral ministry in the local church and parachurch ministries for more than two decades.
Kelly enjoys writing, care for the soul, honest heart conversations and a hot cup of tea. She lives with her husband Tre and their two teens in the Dallas area.
Cecil Linke
Pastor Liason
Cecil has always had a passion for the local church. After years of frustration around the standard “growth” models adopted by many churches, he discovered the writings of Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, Debbie Swindoll and others. Cecil desires to focus on helping pastors bring formation to the forefront of local church ministry.
Cecil has his BS degree from Texas Tech and his ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary. For over 27 years, he has been in full-time vocational ministry in the north Dallas area serving in multiple churches and roles. He currently serves as lead pastor of Journey Community Church in Allen, a church he and his wife planted.
Melissa Osigian
Executive Assistant
Sue Linke
Life with God Training & Support
Sue serves as Life With God Training & Support for Grafted Life Studies. For many years, Sue led other women’s Bible studies and reached a point of longing for more. She was introduced to Life With God in 2017, completed the LWG leader training and now facilitates Life With God groups at her church. She has personally experienced life transformation through the LWG studies, which offer an integrative approach to spiritual formation by combining scripture, spiritual practices, and group exercises. Her commitment to guiding others in their spiritual journeys and her attention to detail are well-suited to her role at Grafted Life.
A native of San Antonio, Sue holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Texas at San Antonio. In 1991, she and her husband relocated to the Dallas area for his studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. Together, they planted Journey Community Church in Allen, Texas, in 2008, where she also serves as the Pastor of Operations.
Sue enjoys spending quality time with her husband, her two adult children, and her spirited granddaughter, as well as frequent visits to the beach and engaging in creative projects.
Emily Linhardt
CSDA Administrator
Emily’s journey toward spiritual direction began in 2016, when a life-transforming encounter with God deepened her desire to know Him more fully. As CSDA Administrator, she brings her gifts in administration, care, and attention to detail to support and strengthen Grafted Life’s community of spiritual directors.
A spiritual director and Life with God leader, Emily finds joy in walking alongside others as they deepen their relationship with God. She lives with her husband, Joe, their three children, two dogs, and one cat, and delights in creating spaces where people can flourish in strength, clarity, and love for God.
Curt Swindoll
Chairman and Executive Counsel
Curt serves as Chairman and Executive Counsel for Grafted Life, which he co-founded with Debbie in 2010. He consults with Christian-led businesses and nonprofit organizations, helping them integrate effective spiritual practices alongside best business practices.
Curt’s career has spanned C-level roles and consulting work through three different agencies. He currently leads Current Strategies where he works as a Professional EOS Implementer.
In 2000, Curt earned his MBA from Pepperdine University. He taught for several years as an adjunct professor in BIOLA University’s Masters in Organizational Leadership program on nonprofit leadership and management issues. He regularly speaks and writes on the unique challenges facing Christian leaders.