Taylor Skidmore

La Mirada, CA, United States

It is my honor and joy to come alongside others as we pay attention to the movements of their soul and...

About Me

It is my honor and joy to come alongside others as we pay attention to the movements of their soul and the work of God in their lives. As my own journey through life has been filled with many different seasons of immense joy and pain (and everything in between), I now seek to be with others as they navigate the different seasons that life brings their way.

I am currently finishing up my Masters of Divinity degree in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from Talbot School of Theology. Before coming to Talbot, I completed my BA in Business and Economics from Westmont College, and was on a church staff for several years, helping to develop and run their school of ministry and new believer classes.

I am joyfully married, and we are planning to have children in the near future. We are part of a beautifully imperfect church family in the Laguna Niguel area. I am currently a staff spiritual director at Talbot’s Institute of Spiritual Formation. I am also a Talbot spiritual formation group cohort leader. Along with my role as a staff spiritual director for Talbot’s Center for Spiritual Renewal, I am also available for spiritual direction in the areas surrounding La Mirada or Laguna Niguel.

Contact

Phone: (805) 570-7985

Email:

Prefer Contact By: Email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Expertise in...

trauma

family history

attachment

boundaries

seasons of the soul

sexuality

spiritual warfare

dark night

listening prayer

Christine Lee Smith

Anaheim, CA, United States

As a professional photographer I tend to see "between the lines," to feel the truth underneath the surface, and to hold...

About Me

As a professional photographer I tend to see "between the lines," to feel the truth underneath the surface, and to hold moments of tension while discovering their beauty. Working through my life's story, I've come to appreciate the metaphor photography reveals about life and the rich ways God works through our pain (the moments of tension) to reveal his beauty and love to us in their midst.

After a painful ministry experience I entered seminary, and shortly after I discovered God was using my photography point-of-view to help others see their own beautiful complexities. I completed my spiritual direction training and a M.A. in Spiritual Formation & Soul Care from Talbot School of Theology's Institute for Spiritual Formation in 2013.

I find myself using Ignation imaginative prayer and visualization, visio divina, and metaphors regularly in spiritual direction. Also, I find myself often journeying with individuals who struggle with anxiety. I enjoy working with adults who desire to connect deeply with Jesus through their lives and in their circumstances, and who are open to exploring the rough edges of beauty on their journey with Jesus.

Contact

Phone: 562-546-2307

Website: Email

Email:

Prefer Contact By: Email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

anxiety

artists

adults

pastors

and ministry staff

Expertise in...

Art as Prayer

Ignatian

Lectio Divina

Creativity

Maisie Sparks

Barrington, IL, United States

My greatest joy is to facilitate contemplative weekend retreats at churches, seminaries, homes, and women’s shelters where I can offer individuals...

About Me

My greatest joy is to facilitate contemplative weekend retreats at churches, seminaries, homes, and women’s shelters where I can offer individuals who are unacquainted with the practice of spiritual director an opportunity to learn the difference between being still and doing nothing. I've given retreats, both nationally and internationally. Ten years ago, I began offering Christmas Quiet, a day of silent Advent reflection which has become a holiday tradition for Chicago-area women. I'm the author of 151 Things God Can't Do, Holy Shakespeare! and Christmas Quiet, a holiday devotional and adult coloring book. I also had the honor of being a contributor to the anthologies Embodied Spirits, Stories of Spiritual Directors of Color, and Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around, Stories of Contemplation and Social Justice. I hold a master's degree in Spiritual Formation and Family Ministry from Dominican University, and completed the practicum in spiritual director at the Christos Center for Spiritual Formation.

Contact

Website: maisiesparks.com

Email:

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: NO

Tele-Direction: NO

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Church leaders

business professionals

marginalized

women

Peter Spychalla

Normal, IL, United States

I serve as an educator in church and academic settings. I work full-time in technology and serve part-time on the faculty...

About Me

I serve as an educator in church and academic settings. I work full-time in technology and serve part-time on the faculty of Urbana Theological Seminary as Assistant Professor of New Testament and Spiritual Formation. I've been married for 30 years and have three young adult daughters.

I completed the ecumenical Spiritual Direction Training Program at the Chiara Center (2015), earned a Ph.D. in Biblical Theology (New Testament) from Wheaton College (2008), a D.Min. in Spiritual Formation from Lincoln Christian Seminary (2018), and participate in ongoing Christian Spiritual Formation studies at Friends University.

As Jesus "would often slip away to the wilderness and pray" (Luke 5:16), I value time away at my off-the-grid hermitage in the northern Wisconsin forest. I enjoy wilderness, quiet, solitude, hiking, cross-country and alpine skiing, canoeing, dual-sport motorcycling, telescopes, stained glass, quietly poking at coals in the woodstove, and napping. I'm a non-fiction book zealot, reading widely in all areas: "Great are the works of the Lord, they are sought out by all who delight in them" (Psalm 111:2).

Contact

Phone: 309-452-4066 (home)

Email:

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: NO

Tele-Direction: NO

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Expertise in...

broad spiritual formation

Kaisa Stenberg-Lee

Denver, CO, United States

I recently moved to Denver from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where I completed my training as a Spiritual Director through Sustainable Faith...

About Me

I recently moved to Denver from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where I completed my training as a Spiritual Director through Sustainable Faith. I love coming alongside others on their unique spiritual paths and accompanying them in noticing God’s loving invitations through all of life. I value safety, sacredness of each journey and unhurried pace in my practice. I offer spiritual direction to both adults and children.

I also enjoy writing blog articles on topics of prayer practices, life of faith, and childhood spirituality, and share them on my website (www.kutsucompanions.com). I am currently working on developing sensory tools that foster contemplative posture as a pathway to prayer.

Before opening my private spiritual direction practice, I served nearly a decade on a pastoral staff of an international church. In my role as a Children's and Family Pastor, I had the privilege to serve people of all ages, and from diverse backgrounds in their life and faith transitions (marriage, parenthood, baptism, cross-cultural move, becoming a follower of Jesus, entering vocational life and ministry, etc.).

Learn more about me and my approach by browsing: www.kutsucompanions.com.

Contact

Website: www.kutsucompanions.com

Email:

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Dutch

Finnish

Specialties

Works with...

Students and young adults

adults

children and youth

families

singles

church leaders

pastors

missionaries

people in ministry

church planters

cross-cultural workers

seekers

expatriates

parents

Expertise in...

Enneagram

contemplative practices

cross-cultural

creative

transitions

whole-person prayer

Ignatian spirituality

children's spirituality

family of origin

silent retreats

spiritual friendship groups

Suhail Stephen

Winnipeg, MB, Canada, MB, Canada

I desired spiritual direction long before I came across it. As my involvement in church and pastoral ministry grew and I...

About Me

I desired spiritual direction long before I came across it. As my involvement in church and pastoral ministry grew and I became more preoccupied with others’ needs and lives, I realized I had little to no idea about what God was doing in me. I was active, but not contemplative. Where was the time and how did one embody this perspective, anyway? My ignorance was concerning. I longed to maintain a vibrant, interior life with God amidst the exterior activities in which I was engaging. I also knew enough people who burned out because of an imbalanced life and didn’t want to become another casualty.

Through the guidance of God masquerading as happenstance, I got a spiritual director early in 2015. It was entirely life-changing. More than ever, I became aware of what God was doing in my life, and how and what he was communicating to me. And I also became far more aware of what was beating in my own heart – hope, fear, weakness and all. Naturally, and perhaps most wonderfully, my intimacy with God deepened. And with intimacy came greater freedom and (as St. Ignatius calls it) “holy indifference.” Now I often tell people that I can’t imagine how I lived without a spiritual director for so long and that I imagine I’ll have a spiritual director until I die.

I’ve always found immense joy in being with people as they experience God. Propelled by this joy and realizing that it’s a significant part of my vocation, I began a two-year training program (Sustainable Faith's School of Spiritual Direction) late in 2015. In addition to actually seeing directees during this time and receiving peer supervision, the most rewarding experience was making the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in the 19th Annotation. After I completed the program, I continued seeing directees for spiritual direction and eventually, as a result of some interior clarity and outward confirmation from my supervisor and my wife, inhabited the calling of a spiritual director.

I was born in India, grew up as a missionary kid, and have lived in a total of seven countries. I did my undergraduate studies at Wheaton College (a double major in Philosophy and English Literature) and my graduate studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Community Leadership and Philanthropy Studies). Currently, I’m part of the Vineyard and serve as a National Catalyst (Vineyard Engage) for Vineyard Canada. I also direct Sustainable Faith’s School of Mercy and Justice and teach school cohorts. Previously, I pastored and was on staff at Winnipeg Centre Vineyard. Jennifer and I got married in 2014 and had our daughter in 2017.

Contact

Phone: +1 (204) 297-4031

Website: https://writingisprayer.com/spiritualdirection/

Email:

Prefer Contact By: Email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Pastors

church leaders

those involved with or connected to the Vineyard

those involved in or desiring involvement in mercy/justice/compassion work

worship leaders

Expertise in...

Vineyard

Ignatian spirituality

enneagram

worship and liturgy

mercy/justice/compassion

pastoral vocation

Kara Stewart

Huntington Beach, CA, United States

I completed my training in spiritual direction as well as an MA in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from Talbot School...

About Me

I completed my training in spiritual direction as well as an MA in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from Talbot School of Theology. Before Talbot, I received my BS in Biological Science and was working at a medical device company for a couple years. I felt the Lord leading me to Talbot to study theology and become a spiritual director in order to be with others who are desiring more of God.

Spiritual Direction is such a wonderful gift to be seen and known by another. It is such an honor and privilege to walk alongside others in their journey with the Lord. I am very passionate about spiritual direction and am beyond grateful to be able to serve others through this ministry. I would love to sit with you, wherever you find yourself, and listen to you and with you. My goal is not to give you answers but to help you bring those questions open and honestly before the Lord. He is the true spiritual director and I truly love watching Him at work.

My husband and I have been married for three years. We are hoping to adopt a puppy soon to add to our little family.
*I prefer to meet with only female directees.

Contact

Phone: 310-650-3887

Email:

Prefer Contact By: email or cell

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: NO

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: NO

Bekah Stewart

Denver, CO, United States

Bekah is passionate about guiding clients to consider Parker Palmer’s haunting question: “Is the life I am living the same as...

About Me

Bekah is passionate about guiding clients to consider Parker Palmer’s haunting question: “Is the life I am living the same as the life that wants to live in me?” She has a B.A. in public relations and an MA in Soul Care & Spiritual Formation from Denver Seminary. Bekah is a trained spiritual director, as well as a certified LifePlan Guide with the Paterson Center.

Contact

Website: www.StewartLifePlanning.com

Email:

Prefer Contact By: bekah@StewartLifePlanning.com

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Adults

Expertise in...

Discerning vocation/calling

Jean Street

Davenport, IA, United States

The work of the Holy Spirit in a person's life is so precious and individual. As a spiritual director, I love...

About Me

The work of the Holy Spirit in a person's life is so precious and individual. As a spiritual director, I love the privilege of coming alongside someone as they seek how God is with them through the good times as well as the hard seasons of life. As a pastor, it concerned me that so many people seemed to have trouble working through hurts and disappointments. The spiritual formation that comes through direction was the thing that seemed to be missing. So I was very excited first to experience the new ways of being with God through practices learned through direction myself and then to offer the same opportunities to others.
I have completed 2 years of Spiritual Direction training through Sustainable Faith's School of Spiritual Direction. Since then, I have been offering Spiritual Direction both through our church, The Vineyard Church of Davenport, as well as in our community. It seems as if God has specifically gifted me to be able to see the big picture for people and offer observations that they may not have considered.
As a wife, a pastor, a mom to adults with special needs, and a grandmother, I understand how full our lives can become. I love to help others slow down and see God's work in their lives. How do I personally slow down? I love long bike rides with my husband, drinking coffee with friends, and taking walks in God's beautiful world.

Contact

Phone: 309-737-5389 (cell)

Email:

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

pastors

leaders

professionals

marginalized

Joshua Strickler

Carol Stream, IL, USA, ,

I am a spiritual director, worship leader, and choral musician with experience in contemporary, traditional, and blended formats. I am passionate...

About Me

I am a spiritual director, worship leader, and choral musician with experience in contemporary, traditional, and blended formats. I am passionate about helping people to see Jesus in their everyday life.

I have an M.A. in Theology and Culture from Northwest University, a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from George Fox University and received my training for spiritual direction through Christos Center for Spiritual Formation (Chicago).

Contact

Email:

Prefer Contact By: E-mail

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Men

Women

Worship Leaders

Muscians

Artists

Anyone

Expertise in...

music

art

church calendar

Christopher Suder

Indianapolis, IN, United States

I am deeply interested in the interior life of the believer. I am passionate about walking with others in the presence...

About Me

I am deeply interested in the interior life of the believer. I am passionate about walking with others in the presence of God; treating each moment as sacred and holy. Through use of the imagination and the already presence of the Holy Spirit, I walk alongside others as they grow in intimacy with Jesus. Pastor of New Circle Church in Indianapolis. I have theological training through Johnson University and Spiritual Direction Certification through Moody Bible Institute. Direction sessions are given at the church's facility in the Mapleton-Fall Creek Community of Indianapolis.

Contact

Website: www.newcirclechurch.com

Email:

Prefer Contact By: E-Mail

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: NO

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

pastors or church leaders

married couples

professors or academics

young adults and marginalized.

Expertise in...

Enneagram

Lectio Divina

Body-Spirit connection

Rule of Life

Creativity

Ignatian

Immanuel Prayer.

Lea Sulman

La Mirada, CA, United States

Through my training as a Spiritual Director at the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Talbot School of Theology, I have discovered...

About Me

Through my training as a Spiritual Director at the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Talbot School of Theology, I have discovered a passion for being with others in their blessedness and brokenness as well as witnessing what the Holy Spirit is doing in each of these domains. As excited as I am about seeing the hand of God — the work of God — in everyday life, I am even more passionate about seeing the face of God — a relational connection with God — in both my life and in the lives of others.

I am currently working towards a Masters of Divinity degree at Talbot School of Theology. Prior to seminary, I studied literature and writing. In the vigor of my youth, I was a competitive hockey player. Needless to say, I love the intersect of the mind and body in the spiritual life.

Contact

Email:

Prefer Contact By: Email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Youth

Students

Athletes

Educators

Ministers

Artists

Expertise in...

Lectio Divina

Art

Creativity

Body-Spirit Connection

Dark Night

Rule of Life

Retreat Crafting

Literature

Christy Summers

Colorado Springs, CO, United States

Becoming a Spiritual Director seemed like a natural next step after fifteen years of experience as a leader in different Christ...

About Me

Becoming a Spiritual Director seemed like a natural next step after fifteen years of experience as a leader in different Christ centered healing programs and settings.

Personally receiving the freedom that Jesus promises has me in awe of His gracious persistence. He never gives up on us. ""I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ"" Philippians 1:6

Accompanying individuals on their spiritual journey with God is a sacred gift that I humbly receive as I am blessed to witness His masterful and loving ways of deepening relationship with each unique person in unique ways.

My Spiritual Direction practice is a part of ""Redeemed Seasons Ministries"", a non-profit ministry started by my husband, Mark, and I in January of 2016. Redeemed Seasons ministers to Christian men and women who seek to deepen their relationship with Jesus, and seek to address the impacts of wounding and brokenness in their stories.

Contact

Phone: (360) 860-0134 (cell)

Website: www.redeemedseasons.org

Email:

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Mark Summers

Colorado Springs, CO, United States

Mark Summers is a co-founder of Redeemed Seasons Ministries, which is based in Colorado Springs. Mark comes to ministry after a...

About Me

Mark Summers is a co-founder of Redeemed Seasons Ministries, which is based in Colorado Springs. Mark comes to ministry after a long, successful career in technology management, where he used his legal education and his people skills to form and lead teams that had transformational impacts on the organizations in which he worked.

In 1998, a disruptive personal crisis drew Mark to Jesus, and he committed his life to the Lord in earnest. After almost a decade of volunteer service in local churches, God brought Mark through an accelerated season of discipleship and growth, kindling a deepening heart for the relational mission field.

In 2015, God called Mark and his wife, Christy, to engage their faith and make the leap to full-time ministry for the relationally broken. They launched Redeemed Seasons in January of 2016. Mark received a certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction in May of 2017.

Mark and Christy work one-on-one, couple-to-couple and in small groups with men and women who are working to know Jesus and change the direction of their personal stories. Through Redeemed Seasons, they lead a deep healing program for men and women struggling with relational brokenness. They also provide coaching and equipping to pastors, ministry leaders, and small group leaders on how to care well for those struggling with brokenness.

Mark is a member of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Colorado Springs. In addition to his spiritual direction and ministry activities, he works as the Business Manager of Holy Trinity.

Contact

Phone: (719) 347-1840

Website: www.redeemedseasons.org

Email:

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

men in all stages of life

church leaders

business professionals

persons in recovery

Expertise in...

men's spirituality

freedom from brokenness or relational issues

recovery

work/life balance

discipleship

Debbie Swanson

Arvada, CO, United States

Hi! I am Debbie Swanson – Author George MacDonald best describes my vocational calling and identity: "I am an emptiness for...

About Me

Hi! I am Debbie Swanson –
Author George MacDonald best describes my vocational calling and identity: "I am an emptiness for Thee to fill; my soul a cavern for Thy sea." I deeply desire that all people experience the fullness of God’s presence, love, and grace. I best work out that desire by offering spiritual direction.
I received my training at Denver Seminary, graduating with an MA in Christian Formation and Soul Care. After graduation, I attended the Lanteri Center for Ignatian Spirituality in Denver, Colorado, and received additional training resulting two certifications: one in Ignatian Spirituality and Spiritual Direction and a certification to guide retreatants through The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. My husband and I own and offer the use of the retreat space - Vacare Deo - where people can rest in silence and solitude and have personal space to encounter God. I also teach at Denver Seminary in the Christian Formation and Soul Care program.
For more information visit www.vacaredeo.com or contact me at daswanson@comcast.net.

Contact

Phone: 303-906-0799

Website: www.vacaredeo.com

Email:

Prefer Contact By: Email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Young adults

church and ministry leaders

and seminary students

Expertise in...

Ignatian Spirituality

Women's Spirituality

companioning with those currently in therapy

Debbie Swindoll

Plano, TX, United States

I received my training in spiritual direction as well as an MA in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from Talbot School...

About Me

I received my training in spiritual direction as well as an MA in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from Talbot School of Theology. I have been a spiritual director since 2006. I love discovering how God is involved in everything in life. I find it especially rewarding to see long time church members come alive to a new awareness of God's presence and work in their hearts. I enjoy doing direction with organizations who are seeking to discern where God is leading them corporately and how they can cooperate more fully with God's plans. My relational experience includes 35 years of marriage to my husband, Curt, and the privilege of raising and then releasing 3 children into their adult lives. I currently serve as the Executive Director of Grafted Life Ministries.

Contact

Phone: 714-749-0377

Website: www.graftedlife.org

Email:

Prefer Contact By: Either is fine

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Jenni Swink

Fort Worth, TX, United States

Spiritual direction is a space and time to just "be", to listen to God, to notice and pay attention to your...

About Me

Spiritual direction is a space and time to just "be", to listen to God, to notice and pay attention to your relationship with God. It is a gift for me to come alongside others as they seek to deepen their intimacy with Him as well as consider what might be a hinderance. I have a passion for understanding how we grow spiritually and it is amazing to see and hear how God interacts and moves in our lives, sometimes even in the midst of darkness and pain as well as joy.

Part of my spiritual direction practice has included leading group silent retreats since 2007. I've also led a centering prayer group and enjoy attending intensive centering prayer retreats.
I've enjoyed teaching in depth inductive Bible studies since 2002.

Prayer and the study of God's Word are two of the primary ways God has formed me. As a result, I love to discover and share ways of being with God devotionally, such as listening prayer, centering prayer, meditative prayer and imaginative prayer. I also am currently interested in psychology and working with the subconscious to facilitate spiritual growth.

I received my spiritual direction training in 2006 through the Dominican Center for Religious Studies in Michigan. I completed the year long Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius in 2010 through Heart Paths in Texas. I am currently in further training to lead others through the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises with the Ignatian Spirituality Institute in Dallas (graduating Dec. 2021), I have a B.S. In Mechanical Engineering from Okla. State University.

I am the mother of 3 grown children, a musician, a childhood cancer survivor, recent college graduate. My husband and I have been married since 1986 and are enjoying our semi-empty nest!

Contact

Phone: 817-980-5871

Email:

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Church leaders

students

young moms

single women

business professionals

Expertise in...

Ignatian Spiritual Exercises

Contemplative prayer

Centering Prayer

Listening prayer

Meditative prayer

suffering

cancer

crisis of faith

theology

bible study

psychology

psychoanalysis

women's ministry

cancer

enneagram

imaginative prayer

Swee Kit Tang

Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Spiritual direction has been an important aspect in contributing to my personal spiritual growth and deepening my relationship with God. Having...

About Me

Spiritual direction has been an important aspect in contributing to my personal spiritual growth and deepening my relationship with God. Having worked as a full time student worker in a Christian organization in Malaysia for nearly 10 years, I have been challenged to understand how Christians grow and are transformed to be more Christ-like. This led me to pursue further studies at the Talbot School of Theology where I completed my MA in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from Talbot School of Theology and received my training as a Spiritual Director. I count it a privilege and blessing to walk alongside a fellow pilgrim on their spiritual journey, and make sense of how God is working in and through their lives together. I have a particular heart to care for those in ministry even as they seek to care for others, by providing a safe space where they can process their experiences and struggles in ministry.

Contact

Email:

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: NO

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Janice Tarleton

Indianola, IA, United States

I’ve been in church all of my life, called myself a Christian most of it, and tried to follow the rules...

About Me

I’ve been in church all of my life, called myself a Christian most of it, and tried to follow the rules really well, be an example, be a leader, help others, etc. See, I believed if you just did everything as right as possible, you would have a nice life. I didn’t have a theology that included suffering; I guess I figured Jesus did all that for us? Then, a few years ago I ran face-first into a spiritual wall and it knocked all the answers out of me – thank God – and I began to learn what it means to simply follow Jesus. Turns out, it is a much freer and easier way to journey through life – and much more joyous.

As for spiritual direction, I hadn’t heard of that either until a few years ago. Now, I can’t imagine leading and living without the insights of that monthly conversation. It’s a place to talk about your life and spiritual walk (it’s all intertwined) with someone who listens well, asks good questions and offers observations or feedback. I liken it to going on a road trip together. You are the driver and – for that hour – I’m in the passenger seat where I have the freedom to look around and notice signposts you might not.

Today, I am passionate about transformation; helping other followers of Jesus (or rules) – especially pastor’s wives and leaders – grow in self-awareness, authenticity, and intimate relationship with God. A former journalist, I’ve had a life-long intrigue with the human story and probing for truth and I bring that practical experience to direction sessions. I’ve served as a pastor’s wife in Vineyard churches in Arizona (large and small contexts and church planting) for 25 years. I am a graduate of Sustainable Faith’s School of Spiritual Direction and have served as a teacher for the school for five years. I’ve also received training in inner healing prayer and have facilitated hundreds of sessions since 2011 and can incorporated it as needed in sessions.

My high school sweetheart, Terry, and I have been married since 1981. We founded Carefree Vineyard Church in 2001 and in 2018 transitioned it to a new pastor and moved to the Des Moines area of Iowa where I continue to serve in a variety of roles with Sustainable Faith. We have four grown children and two grandchildren. I love deeper conversations, road-trips with my husband (sometimes on his Harley), home decorating, writing and painting.

Contact

Phone: 623.640.0304

Email:

Prefer Contact By: email or text

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

pastors

pastor's family

youth

professors or academics

married coules

business professionals

military

Expertise in...

Ignatian

Lectio Divina

women's spirituality

creativity

Terrance Tarleton

Indianola, IA, United States

I have been trained through Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction. As a pastor who discovered that Jesus TRULY does offer...

About Me

I have been trained through Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction. As a pastor who discovered that Jesus TRULY does offer a life of "easy yokes and light burdens," I have a desire to help others enter into that type of relationship with Jesus!

Contact

Phone: (623) 221-3752

Email:

Prefer Contact By: Email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

List of ESDA Spiritual Directors

Taylor Skidmore

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Christine Lee Smith

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Maisie Sparks

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Peter Spychalla

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Kaisa Stenberg-Lee

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Suhail Stephen

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Kara Stewart

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Bekah Stewart

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Jean Street

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Joshua Strickler

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Christopher Suder

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Lea Sulman

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Christy Summers

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Mark Summers

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