Grafted Life Ministries

Dan Palomino

Torrance, CA, USA, CA, US

As someone who has endured many transitions, including vocational changes from pastoring a church to chaplaincy in hospice and healthcare, and...

About Me

As someone who has endured many transitions, including vocational changes from pastoring a church to chaplaincy in hospice and healthcare, and spiritual direction, I am grateful to be able to companion others on the journey, holding their sacred stories with gentleness and compassion as they seek to discover the ways in which God is present and active in their lives. In addition to being a spiritual director, I also serve as a hospital chaplain. I received my training at the Weborg Center for Spiritual Direction at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago. I reside in Southern California with my wife of almost 30 years. We have two adult biological children and one high schooler who we adopted at the age of 3 from Thailand.

Contact

Phone: (310) 780-7539 (cell)

Email: dancpal@gmail.com

Prefer Contact By: Email or text

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

pastors/church leaders

parachurch leaders

adoptive parents

men and women

seniors

adults

young adults

terminally ill

seminarians

Expertise in...

grief and loss

music

life transitions

adoption

Andrea Parsley

Tampa Bay Area, FL, USA, FL, United States

Hello and welcome :) What I need you to know is that the love of God has changed my life. I...

About Me

Hello and welcome :)

What I need you to know is that the love of God has changed my life. I spent many years trying to prove, achieve, and earn my way, and God orchestrated a divine rescue plan. It’s a journey I didn’t know to ask for and one I’m so incredibly grateful for. If you’re here, perhaps you know there may be more for you, too.

Spiritual direction is not a fixer-ministry. There is no prescribed or uniform way to grow closer to God. However, when we gather together and ask Him to come, He does. The growth is often slow yet lasting, life-transforming, and relationship-altering.

And because it’s hard to knock on the door of a stranger:

I grew up not knowing God, but He drew me in through the local church right before I graduated high school. I fell in love with Him and the family He invited me into. I married my husband shortly after, and we’ve pastored and served together for nearly 30 years. We’ve been through our share of “church hurt” and don’t have blinders on or pass judgment on where each person is in their relationship with church.

I have 5 almost-grown kids. Some of my most humbling formation has happened within the walls of our home, witnessed by these humans who get a front-row view.

I’ve lived in 30 homes in my lifetime, and I’ve moved willingly and unwillingly. I’ve come to (mostly) face the trauma of my childhood, my struggles with mental health, and my continual failure as a perfect-human. However, I overcome through the power of my testimony. I seek intimacy, deep inner joy, peace, and the power of the Holy Spirit. I’d love to journey with you as you do the same.

Contact

Email: andrea@andreaparsley.com

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

college students

young adults

pastor's family

married couples

abuse survivors

Expertise in...

Lectio Divina

women's spirituality

trauma

grief

mental health struggles

Enneagram

rule of life

burnout

transitions

motherhood

females in leadership

Gina Pastore

Orange County and San Bernardino County , CA, United States

As a certified spiritual director, I would be honored to assist you in your spiritual journey. I have experienced personal loss...

About Me

As a certified spiritual director, I would be honored to assist you in your spiritual journey. I have experienced personal loss and have journeyed through grief. I believe knowing your identity in Christ Jesus is essential for purpose and meaning. I love the intimate time of listening and assisting as the Holy Spirit works to reveal, cleanse, and renew.

After the tragic loss of my husband in 2012, I went through my grief journey and transition into widowhood. God was so present to me in every way and has led me into a newness of life. Today, I am a Christian radio host in Los Angeles, my weekly radio show is called Real Life. I have authored one book "Picking Up My Shattered Pieces" and enjoy encouraging those going through loss and grief. I am also skilled in helping those struggling through life transitions: divorce, prodigal child, career changes, etc. I think being real and ridding one's self of pretense is the key to living in the Kingdom. It's a process for sure, and it keeps us on our toes! I love helping other's as they seek those deep parts of their soul.

Contact

Email: ginapastoreradio@gmail.com

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...

pastors

church leaders

students

academics

married couples

military

elderly

and those going through grief

Expertise in...

Trauma or grief

Ignation

life transition

spiritual growth

unforgiveness

conflict resolution

identity building

Diane Pate

Salinas, CA, United States

I am an ordained pastor, the former executive pastor, on the pastoral staff at Salinas Valley Community Church in Salinas, CA...

About Me

I am an ordained pastor, the former executive pastor, on the pastoral staff at Salinas Valley Community Church in Salinas, CA for 25 years. I have a Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction and a DMin from San Francisco Theological Seminary. I practice both group and individual direction. I welcome new directees. As a spiritual director, I love to accompany others in their journey for inner spiritual freedom and transformation into the likeness of Christ, deepening their companionship with Him.

Contact

Phone: (831) 235-7362

Email: dianep@svcc.net

Prefer Contact By: I'm fine with email or phone contacts

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

church leaders

professionals

any other

Expertise in...

Ignatian

Lectio Divina

women's spirituality

Richard Pate

Salinas, CA, United States

I view spiritual direction as companioning another in their walk with Jesus. For those who have not begun that journey, I...

About Me

I view spiritual direction as companioning another in their walk with Jesus. For those who have not begun that journey, I am open to listening to the path one is on now and accompanying a directee as he/she draws near to God. I am open to meeting with men or women, am part of a non-denominational church body but have a background in denominational settings. I have a Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction from San Francisco Theological Seminary, and moved into the practice of spiritual direction after taking part in a 9 month Soul Care program offered by WellSpringCA in Menlo Park. I consider the spiritual practice of holy listening a sacred space where God shows up in ways that do not occur outside an environment of sitting before him with open hearts and open hands.

Contact

Phone: (831) 235-5937

Website: www.svcc.net

Email: rick1diane@yahoo.com

Prefer Contact By: email, text or phone

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Men

women

pastors

church leaders

spiritual seekers.

Expertise in...

Ignatian

men's spirituality

body-spirit connection

Kirsten Pattengale

Warsaw, IN , IN, United States

My ministry, Monarch Springs an opportunity to experience spiritual formation producing; greater freedom, and deeper intimacy with God as Father, Jesus...

About Me

My ministry, Monarch Springs an opportunity to experience spiritual formation producing; greater freedom, and deeper intimacy with God as Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. This transformation reconnects us to the heart God gave us and the reality that He is present in the everydayness and ordinary things of life, inviting us to experience His presence and an invitation into a greater understanding that we are the beloved.
I am trained as a spiritual director, and ab inner healing prayer practitioner, with training in sozo prayer tools.

Contact

Phone: 260-901-6094

Website: www.monarchsprings.org

Email: Kirstenapattengale@gmail.com

Prefer Contact By: text or email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

pastors

church leaders

and their spouses. Missionaries

married couples

military and marginalized.

Expertise in...

Lectio

Both women and men's spirituality

trauma

creativity

conversational prayer and coaching.

Elizabeth Payne

Moses Lake, WA, United States

I received my training at Talbot School of Theology in their Institute of Spiritual Formation program. My name is Elizabeth Payne...

About Me

I received my training at Talbot School of Theology in their Institute of Spiritual Formation program. My name is Elizabeth Payne. I have been involved in Youth Ministry both in the United States and in Ecuador. It is my desire to do ministry from a posture of abiding IN CHRIST and remembering that apart from Him I can do nothing (Jn. 15). I have lived overseas for 2/3 of my life, first as a Third Culture Kid/Missionary Kid, and then as an adult serving the Lord with my husband and children in Ecuador. I care deeply that the souls of those in ministry are nurtured and cared for.

I have been married for 28 years. I am the mother of 4 adult children, and four in-law children. God has graced me with a wide-range of life experiences and passages, the most recent one being 'the empty nest.' I desire to steward these for His glory.

I currently reside in Washington with my husband. I offer spiritual direction to adults and students in Ecuador and the USA. I have done member care for many years.

Contact

Phone: 805-433-5680

Email: water_ski20@yahoo.com

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Spanish

Specialties

Works with...

I have worked a lot with cross cultural workers and ministry leaders

Expertise in...

cross cultural

third-culture

ministry leaders

Suzana Payne

Glendora and Pasadena, CA, United States

How are we to navigate in this world unless we walk together? The story of the Emmaus walk, where two deeply...

About Me

How are we to navigate in this world unless we walk together? The story of the Emmaus walk, where two deeply troubled friends walked together without answers, exemplifies what I believe spiritual direction to be. It took a while for Jesus to reveal Himself to them and then just as suddenly the two were alone again - with each other.

I don’t presume to have answers to life’s questions but I do want to walk along the way with others as they discover their own questions and sometimes the answers. I consider this “alongside ministry” a deep joy and privilege and am continually learning ways to help others go deeper in knowing God.

I received my direction training in Los Angeles through CFDM in 2011-2012 and I’ve been walking with new spiritual friends ever since.

In monthly sessions, I may suggest the use of the arts, Lectio Divina, various forms of prayer, poetry, and other creative ways to hear from God. Above all, I listen and I care for souls.

I would enjoy talking to you as you make your decision about spiritual direction so please feel free to contact me at the email below.

Grace to it…

Contact

Phone: https://www.graftedlife.org/spiritual-direction/find-a-spiritual-director

Email: suzana.payne@gmail.com

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...

Women

Young Adults

Grief and Loss

Missionaries

Groups

Expertise in...

Creative Arts

Dark Night

Imaginative Prayer

Lectio Divina

Paula M Payne

San Antonio, TX, United States

I am an ordained elder with the Global Methodist Church. I earned a Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary in...

About Me

I am an ordained elder with the Global Methodist Church. I earned a Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary in pastoral studies and a doctorate in spiritual direction from Houston Graduate School of Theology. I studied as a spiritual direction intern at the Oblate Theological Seminary in San Antonio, Texas, for three years.

My main focus as a spiritual director is to respond to God's creation that builds up the kingdom through individuals who long for a touch and direction from the Spirit of God. My rule of practice is prayer, reading of the holy Scriptures, discernment, wisdom from experience, and recognize that the Spirit of God is the director within every session. God cultivates the fruit of the journey. I believe in the Kingdom concept of the already but not yet--individuals are kingdom people at present but the fullness of our lives is still unfolding according to his purpose. My goal with every individual is to learn how to become a soul friend.

I served thirty-five years in the military as a chaplain and am a trained clinical hospital chaplain. My skills are working with older adults, death and dying, veterans, officiating funerals, visiting the sick, and listening to stories. I have mentored and journeyed with persons who discern the call to different ministry vocations. While in the military, the ministry with mortuary affairs, wounded warriors, counseling military personnel, and reintegrating families back into the states from overseas was a blessing. I was a pastor for thirteen years in the local church. I enjoy facilitating Bible studies and clergy as a group.

I am a lifelong single person, living with my twin sister and two beloved felines. Tending to the body, mind, and spirit is essential to a holistic balance. I walk daily listening to suitable Scripture lessons and sermons, and I love to bake my bread. I enjoy God's creation through birds, constellations, and animals.

Contact

Phone: 210-480-8230

Email: chppayne@gmail.com

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: NO

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

pastors

aging persons

military

persons of color

Expertise in...

women's spirituality

grief

cross-cultural

rule of life

discerning a call to chaplaincy

veterans

Tim Peck

Glendora, ,

Tim has been involved in spiritual direction ministry since 2017. In addition to being a spiritual director, Tim has been a...

About Me

Tim has been involved in spiritual direction ministry since 2017. In addition to being a spiritual director, Tim has been a pastor, church planter, law enforcement chaplain, and theological educator. He is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University's three-year "Art of Spiritual Direction" certificate program. Tim finds great joy in joining others in their spiritual journey. In addition to his private practice, provides one-on-one and group spiritual direction for pastoral ordination candidates and pastors within his denomination. Although many of Tim's directees are leaders and pastors in Christian organizations, he enjoys working with a variety of people.

Contact

Phone: 6269458408

Email: tpeckdmin@gmail.com

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

Students

Leaders

Recovery

Expertise in...

Ignatian

Benedictine

Church trauma

Enneagram

Recovery

Rule of Life

Dark Night

Discernment

Celah Pence

Harrisonburg, VA, United States

I enjoy listening deeply and reflecting with women on their journey with Christ. Having another soul present can enable us to...

About Me

I enjoy listening deeply and reflecting with women on their journey with Christ. Having another soul present can enable us to discern what God's Spirit is saying, and where we are being invited into greater freedom.

My training includes a 2 yr certificate in Spiritual Direction (Selah Spiritual Direction, LTI) and current enrollment in a graduate pastoral counseling program.

Contact

Phone: 540-246-9182 (cell) - leave a message or text me

Website: https://www.bythestillwaters.org/

Email: bystillwaters8@gmail.com

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...

I work with women

and have experience walking alongside victims of abuse.

Expertise in...

Contemplative listening (to the Holy Spirit and the directee)

holding space in the session for directee to connect with Jesus' heart

healing prayer

lectio divina

accompanying the journey of grief

life transitions

feeling 'stuck.'

Kristi Pennington

Gallatin TN, TN, United States

One of my greatest joys is sitting with others and listening to their stories. This is why I love spiritual direction...

About Me

One of my greatest joys is sitting with others and listening to their stories. This is why I love spiritual direction. Through being attentive to the Holy Spirit’s presence and voice, I offer a sacred and safe space where you can share life’s joyful adventures as well as painful sufferings. Together we will experience a sacred place of grace, encouragement, and compassion, prayerfully discerning the movement of God in your life.
My husband and I have been married for 45 years. We served as pastor and wife of churches in Texas and Missouri before we were called as missionaries to Venezuela where we served for 12 years. We raised two children on the mission field who are now married and have blessed us with six amazing grandchildren.
I am a certified spiritual director and life coach. My journey has included teaching 3rd grade and ELL in public schools as well as teaching piano.

Contact

Phone: 16153378725

Website: kristicoaching.com

Email: kbethpenn@gmail.com

Prefer Contact By: kbethpenn@gmail.com

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Pastor's wives

missionaries

ministry wives

elderly or aging

grief

trauma

recovery

marriage and family

Expertise in...

Soul Care

Spiritual Formation

Enneagram

Lectio Divina

Recovery

Rule of Life

Michael Pennington

Nashville TN, TN, United States

Belovedness captured my heart at a Soul Care retreat in the Colorado Mountains in 2018. I have never been the same...

About Me

Belovedness captured my heart at a Soul Care retreat in the Colorado Mountains in 2018. I have never been the same. I will never go back. Discovering that I was God's Beloved has changed me profoundly. This transformed me, and now it informs everything I do. I want everyone I encounter to discover, embrace, and live out their Belovedness.

It changed my life to know that my Belovedness is not based on performance but upon a relationship with God, whose very nature is love. Spiritual Direction provides a grace-filled, safe environment to plumb the depths of God’s love. As a spiritual director, I delight in walking with other people helping them deepen their love relationship and friendship with God.

I bring to spiritual direction more than 45 years of life experience as a pastor and missionary (overseas and nationally). I’ve experienced both great joys and devastating heartaches in life and ministry. There have been victories and brokenness, but God’s grace has been sufficient, and He never stopped working to bring me to this moment in my spiritual journey.

At the Soul Care retreat mentioned above, I experienced spiritual direction for the first time. I’ve never gotten over that, either. In that loving, safe place, I began to share the condition of my soul. It needed healing, it was hurting, and I didn’t know what to do. I shared hopes and dreams as well as brokenness and pain. I have never felt more loved and safe.

I then enrolled in the Soul Care Institute, a two-year intensive study of learning to care for your total person - Body, Soul, and Spirit - for your sake and the sake of others. Spiritual direction was an integral part of the SCI. God has worked greatly in my life through spiritual direction and ultimately I have become a spiritual director.

I have a passion for walking with others on their spiritual journeys. I want to journey with them toward Belovedness and caring for their soul. As two people listen together to the Holy Spirit as spiritual friends and companions, God will speak, His love will be revealed, and lives will be touched in new and vibrant ways. I would love to walk with you toward a deeper friendship with God.

I am certified in spiritual direction through the Selah Center for Spiritual Formation in Nashville, Tennessee, and in Soul Care through the Soul Care Institute. I hold a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry (in Pastoral Ministry) from Southwestern Theological Seminary.

My wife, Kristi (also a spiritual director), and I have been married for over 47 years. We have two married children and seven amazing grandchildren. I served as pastor of churches in Texas and Missouri. We served as international missionaries in Venezuela for 12 years. I recently retired after serving the Bledsoe Association of Churches for 26 years as their Association Mission Strategist.

Contact

Phone: 615-268-7177

Website: belovedlivingnow.com

Email: mikepenningtonsd1@gmail.com

Prefer Contact By: email or text

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Spanish

Specialties

Works with...

Pastors

pastor's family

church leaders

missionaries

recovering addicts

professionals

students

educators

aging persons

Expertise in...

Soul Care

Enneagram

Lectio Divina

spirituality

sexuality

addiction recovery

cross-cultural

third-culture

life coach

rule of life

trauma or grief

Teddi Pettee

Roseville, CA, United States

I serve in Leader Formation at Youth for Christ, USA, training adults across the US who lead ministry to 11-19 year...

About Me

I serve in Leader Formation at Youth for Christ, USA, training adults across the US who lead ministry to 11-19 year olds; developing ministry skills and personal, Spirit-led transformation. While I love my chosen vocation, I found myself "under water" in recent years driven by my work ethic, a culture of achievement and an internal desire to to earn approval. (Not to mention the wave of life changes that come as we age!) I needed help coming up for air and Spiritual Direction was the help Jesus used to invite me into His long and loving gaze. Spiritual direction has helped me cultivate an un-hurried soul in companionship with Jesus.

I completed certification in Spiritual Direction, The School of Contemplative Life and the Accompaniment of the 19th Annotated Ignatian Prayer Exercises through Sustainable Faith. Each of these has generated transformation in my inner life and I am delighted to accompany others as they journey. As people occasionally need help figuring out where the Holy Spirit is leading, I create and hold space for folks to meet with Jesus. More of a companion on the road than a direction-giver, I come alongside as a support.

My experience in offering Spiritual Direction includes meeting with ministry leaders, young women, new moms, "empty nesters" and those drawn to Ignatian Prayer Exercises; helping each explore the presence of Jesus and His shepherding voice. I have served as an on-site Spiritual Director for Women's Reflective Retreats in Mount Hermon, CA.

I host reflective retreats that help attendees develop rhythms of retreat and reflection, helping people settle in to this journey; encouraging them toward the heart of Jesus through the movements in their souls.

If you are interested in more information or a potential appointment, feel free to text/call or shoot me an email.

Contact

Phone: 916-798-2839

Website: companionsforyourjourney.com

Email: tpettee@yfc.net

Prefer Contact By: Call/Text/Email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Women

college women

ministry leaders

moms

Expertise in...

19th and 18th Annotated Ignatian Prayer Exercises

Kurt Pflegl

San Luis Obispo, CA, United States

My life has been one of call and response - God gives me awareness of His call and I respond by...

About Me

My life has been one of call and response - God gives me awareness of His call and I respond by following His lead. In this journey of joy, God has called me to serve in different ministry capacities for more than 20 years. Most recently, He led me to start a church community in San Luis Obispo where we grow together in practicing the presence of God. As I desperately depend on Him to follow this calling, He has drawn me into deeper personal postures, practices and rhythms in order to consistently stay in the flow of His Spirit. God also led me to complete formal training through the Leadership Institute to help others do the same in both small groups and individual spaces. I have come to more fully understand and appreciate the dynamic between God awareness and self-awareness, and how humble vulnerability is critical to growing intimacy with the One who is Perfect Love. What does Jesus want you to know? Let's discover the answers together.

Contact

Phone: 7024803059

Email: kurt@elevateslo.com

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...

pastors and church leaders

Wendy Pierce

Orange County, CA, USA, CA, United States

As a passionate follower of Jesus, it is my joy to cultivate nurturing environments where individuals can deepen their awareness of...

About Me

As a passionate follower of Jesus, it is my joy to cultivate nurturing environments where individuals can deepen their awareness of God’s presence. Through personalized guidance, I empower clients to integrate faith in Christ seamlessly into everyday life, fostering a sustaining foundation for growing spiritually, relationally and emotionally.

As a teacher working in early childhood development, I connected that spiritual development has its own maturing aspects. Trained in early childhood development, and spiritual development as well as pastoral care and life coaching I bring a unique set of skills to guide individuals through various life circumstances. Whether individually, in small groups or through retreats, I create a safe place to recognize and embrace the challenges and changes through the spiritual journey while growing a trusting attachment to Christ.

I’ve been involved in various ministry over the years spanning children through adult, including prayer, pastoral care, and life celebrations.

Currently I am a Spiritual Director with Soul Shepherding and facilitate their Group Spiritual Direction sessions.

I’ve experienced Spiritual Direction as a safe place to be honest emotionally while encouraging deep rootedness in Christ.

I live in Newport Beach, California with my husband of thirty plus years and our bernedoodle, Winnie. We have 3 grown daughters, three son-in-laws, and a growing number of grandkids who are all now cultivating life in their own local churches.

For recreation, I enjoy being outdoors, exploring or gardening! My favorite place is anywhere the water meets the land! I value time with family and friends in intimate settings.

Having a safe space to find Christ in my journey has been life changing for me! It would be such an honor to hold space for you! For personal appointments use the link below.
For inquiries in ministry staff support, retreats or group spiritual direction, I can be reached through email.

I look forward to connecting with you!

Contact

Website: https://www.soulshepherding.org/associates/wendy-pierce/#calendar

Email: wendylpierce@yahoo.com

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

Pastors Wives

Church Staff

Church Team Leads

Short Term Mission Trips Teams

Small Group Ministry Leaders

Prayer Teams

Individuals

Small Groups

Twenty-Something

Young Adults

Expertise in...

Spiritual Formation

Identity in Christ

Stages of Faith

Twenty-Somethings

Faith Reconstruction after Deconstruction

Healing From Family Systems

Healing From Church Wounds

Trauma

Experiencing Gods Love

Discernment

Life Transitions

Retreats

Prayer Experiences

Deepening Prayer Life

Joanna Polarek

West Nyack, NY, United States

Spiritual Direction is a privilege and gift that I love to offer. I strive to provide an inviting space for sacred...

About Me

Spiritual Direction is a privilege and gift that I love to offer. I strive to provide an inviting space for sacred conversation, attentive listening, and discernment as the Holy Spirit moves within the conversation. It is a confidential, sacred, and safe space to explore, listen, discuss, pray, and navigate feelings in your faith journey. You will not be rejected for your thoughts and experiences.

As a Spiritual Director, I am primarily there to be a compassionate witness who will attend to and receive you as you are.

The Spiritual Direction program, Selah, through Leadership Transformations, Inc., trained me to focus on Trinitarian, Contemplative, and Biblical foundations. While silence can be uncomfortable for some, the intention is for silence to become part of the rhythm and natural flow. However, this practice is not exclusive to my practice, and I will always respond to what feels best for you.

Professionally, I work for the Spiritual Life Development Department for The Salvation Army Eastern Territorial Headquarters in New York. I have been part of the team here for almost eleven years. The vision of our department is to create tangible resources that encourage and guide spiritual practices such as ways to pray, engage in Scripture, silence & solitude, and Lectio Divina, to name a few. We also provide guided retreats for refreshment and renewal. The work within this department has helped cultivate a deeper understanding of my faith and relationship with the Lord. It's always about me showing up because He is already there.

I have been married to my high school sweetheart for over twenty-five years, and we have two teenage daughters. Adjusting to transitions of moving over his fourteen years of service helped me be open to engaging in community and establishing relationships.

I have my Master's in Human Services—Family and Marriage Counseling from Liberty University. While I am not a certified counselor, my education has equipped me to be an attentive listener and to engage in one-on-one sessions. Becoming a Spiritual Director is a role I enjoy and feel led to practice.

Contact

Phone: (808) 226-5589 (cell)

Website: https://calendly.com/jpolarek0821/spiritual-direction

Email: jpolarek0821@gmail.com

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...

I am available to meet with any person wishing to seek spiritual direction. I currently meet with young adults

church leaders

students

elderly

business professionals

military

Expertise in...

Lectio Divina

rule of life

dark night

curiosity in faith

contemplative

sacred listening

Mark Pollock, MS

Greenville County, SC, USA, SC, United States

Hello! I am a retired mental health therapist having worked primarily with at risk youth in the state of Oregon. I...

About Me

Hello! I am a retired mental health therapist having worked primarily with at risk youth in the state of Oregon. I have also been actively involved in various roles in church leadership and parachurch ministries. My wife and I were married in 1977. We have two married sons and five grandchildren. We moved to a little town outside of Greenville, SC in 2022 to be closer to these “favorite” people of ours. Following this move I completed a two-year training in spiritual direction through the Soul Shepherding Institute. I currently share the teaching responsibilities and soul care needs at the local church gathering we fellowship at.

Here’s what drives me:
1. Personally, I have an ongoing ache to draw ever closer to Jesus and to further experience the intimacy that He has invited every person into. I have learned however, that this journey is best done in community. I consider it one of my greatest blessings to have spiritual friends that assist me into closer union with God. I long to do my part in helping individuals and groups create this kind of healthy spiritual culture and practice. If I had to choose a “life verse” it would be Philippians 3:10-11: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”
2. To that end, I am committed to not just saying “what” we should become but also “how” we get there. How do we practice the way of Jesus in a manner that is not just “checking a box” but truly empowers us to be like Him and do the things that He did. I would love to seek the Lord’s direction with you in discerning how to move Jesus’ truth from head to heart.
3. Having been involved in pastoral leadership and care, I have a particular interest in coming alongside church leaders to help them navigate the joys and heartaches, the victories and pitfalls in their vital role in the body of Christ. Ministry burnout is a real thing. If you find yourself in this place, I would love to support you in discerning a path toward restoring or redefining your next season of ministry.
4. As there are physical and emotional stages of life, so it is in the spiritual. I have found it helpful to understand what stage I am at in the maturing process. This allows me to be more gracious to myself as I grow. When learning to walk I cannot expect of myself to run a marathon and neither does my Father.

In the process of growing there will likely be times of questioning and wondering if we are on the right path or not. What once seemed to make sense is now cloudy. The God who seemed so close now appears to be silent. When navigating these “Walls” we tend to deny them, wonder “what’s wrong with me” or allow them to cause us to walk away from our faith altogether. I want to help people normalize these kinds of questions as a part of the growing process and realize that on the other side of that wall is a richer discovery of the love of God extended to self and neighbor. What felt like deconstruction and despair is resulting in reconstruction and hope.
5. I am a firm believer in the gift of listening to God and to one another as the way to discover the heart and mind of Christ. The ability to share our stories and receive empathy and loyal love is a primary way in which God chooses to bring healing to us.
6. I believe that God uses the Christian Scriptures as a foundation for discerning His ways. It is here that we discover the incarnation of Jesus and the gift of the Spirit who enables us to apply His wisdom to our everyday living. Although this is my home base, I am happy to walk with you if you happen to have a different persuasion.

Even if your area of attention is other than what I have listed above, I would be happy to listen with you believing that God will reveal Himself to your heart. I’m looking forward to meeting you and praying the Lord’s fullness upon us as we strive to grow in our union with Him.

Mark Pollock

Contact

Phone: 503-740-0626

Email: Mark.pollock.robyn@gmail.com

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...

Church Leaders

Pastor’s Family

Men

Youth

Students

Married and Dating Couples

Expertise in...

Spiritual Formation

Silence/Solitude

Lectio Divina

Men’s Spirituality

Spiritual Stages

Deconstruction/Reconstruction

Aging

Grief and Loss

Recovery

Megan Pool

Ferndale, MI, United States

I lead the Spiritual Direction team at the Bamboo Initiative, as well as providing spiritual direction for seeking individuals. I am...

About Me

I lead the Spiritual Direction team at the Bamboo Initiative, as well as providing spiritual direction for seeking individuals. I am a trained and licensed Ignatian Spiritual Director and Spiritual Exercises Accompanist, with experience leading individuals in direction, as well as the Spiritual Exercises (the 9 month version often called the “19th Annotation”), and facilitating group spiritual direction in cohorts with the 10 week Spiritual Exercises (often called the “18th Annotation”). If you’re interested to learn more about these opportunities, please contact me.

I have found my home in observing the loving, intricate and holy work of God in the lives of the Beloved. My joy is found in watching and waiting for the Voice of God as He draws people close. My favorite scripture about Spiritual Direction comes from John chapter 3; “The One who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.” This is becoming my heart’s desire.

I have particular training in a prayer model called Immanuel Prayer as well as experience teaching Lectio Divina and the Examen Prayer. I am available for 1 hour Spiritual Direction sessions during flexible daytime hours. I am available for face to face meetings with locals as well as sessions via FaceTime, Zoom or WhatsApp. I charge $60 per session for individuals. Please email me to ask about rates for the 18th and 19th Annotations.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Contact

Phone: (248) 259-8925 (cell)

Website: https://bambooinitiative.com/spiritual-direction/

Email: Megan.c.pool@sbcglobal.net

Prefer Contact By: Email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

able to understand intermediate Spanish and speak beginner Spanish.

Specialties

Works with...

Pastors

church leaders

international long term workers

students

business professionals

terminally ill

marginalized.

Expertise in...

Lectio Divina

Examen

Immanuel Prayer

Imaginative Prayer. In training for learning how to lead people through the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius.

Debbie Powell

Eugene, OR, United States

I believe Spiritual direction is one person helping another discern God’s voice in response to His love. As a spiritual director...

About Me

I believe Spiritual direction is one person helping another discern God’s voice in response to His love. As a spiritual director I seek to create a safe place for the directee to discern how God is moving and guiding in their personal circumstances. I believe scriptures are given to us as God’s inspired word and they are the foundational context for my particular style of direction.
I was raised in a traditional evangelical church. At age 45 (after raising four children) I realized I had a growing concern for the spiritual health of people within church congregations. This happened as I witnessed people within the church facing trauma, upheaval, and emotional challenges. I was sitting at an outside table having coffee in Newberg Oregon when I heard God’s instructions, “I want you to prepare yourself to minister to the people in the church.”
This started my journey through Eugene Bible College, now New Hope Christian College where I earned a BS in Christian counseling with a minor in theology. I continued my education at Portland Seminary receiving a master’s degree in spiritual formation and a certificate in spiritual direction.
I find great joy is sitting with people as they share an increased awareness of who God is and His presence in their everyday life and circumstances.
I am an ordained Elder in the Oregon Conference of the Free Methodist Church. Presently I am on staff at Living Hope Free Methodist Church in Eugene Oregon where I am the Director of Spiritual formation. It is here that I have an office space to meet people for spiritual direction.
I live with my husband Dave and we enjoy time with our four grown children and nine grandchildren. I enjoy gardening and a good suspense novel, and sharing a good cup of coffee with friends.
You can reach me by leaving a message for me at the office of Living Hope Free Methodist Church 541-683-3713 or on my cell at 541-520-9073. Please be patient as it might take a few days to return a call. E-mail is good too, (and might get a quicker response).
Debbie Powell
Debbie@onelivinghope.net

Contact

Phone: 5415209073

Email: Debbie@onelivinghope.net

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...

Church leaders

women in ministry

age 14-100 all situations

Expertise in...

women's spirituality

prayer

life changing situations

List of ESDA Spiritual Directors

Dan Palomino

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Andrea Parsley

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Gina Pastore

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Diane Pate

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Richard Pate

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Kirsten Pattengale

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Elizabeth Payne

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Suzana Payne

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Paula M Payne

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Tim Peck

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Celah Pence

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Kristi Pennington

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Michael Pennington

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Teddi Pettee