Grafted Life Ministries

Kathy Ruud

Valparaiso IN, IN, United States

I have become gratefully aware of God’s ever-present faithfulness in the seasons of life through 34 years of marriage and as...

About Me

I have become gratefully aware of God’s ever-present faithfulness in the seasons of life through 34 years of marriage and as the mother of three grown children, and grandmother of five. Becoming a widow unexpectedly in early 2018 has resulted in a deepening of every aspect of my spiritual life. Previously, as a result of other profound life changes, I was drawn into an ongoing re-evaluation of my life and faith, and what it means to be open to God’s loving examination and companionship.

Most recently, after living my entire life in Nevada, I spent a year and a half in Iowa caring for my elderly parents in their home. After their deaths, I relocated yet again to Valparaiso, Indiana to be near family.

One of the greatest gifts given to me in these many years of change and loss has been the gracious listening of a spiritual director. To sit with another in God’s presence and be received and heard is a healing place. This process has helped me to notice more fully what God is doing and saying and how I am responding, so that healing continues.

I believe the ministry of spiritual direction is an important and effective gift offering ongoing growth towards clarity, liberation, and wholeness in all of life, as individuals learn to notice and respond to the movement of God.

I received formal training at the Institute for Spiritual Direction at Stillpoint in Las Vegas, graduating in 2012, and later completed Advanced Formation training, with further experience in leading the Ignatian Exercises, retreats and small group studies in the Bible and spiritual classics. I am an oblate of St. Andrew's Abbey in Valyermo, California.

I remain grateful for the transforming, healing work of God, in my life and in the lives of others.

Contact

Phone: 7023279641

Email: theruuds@yahoo.com

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Widows

ministry leaders

people experiencing change and loss

moms....really anyone.

Expertise in...

Ignatian

Benedictine

grief work

Enneagram

care-giving; working knowledge of each

rather than expertise

Sandy Sabra

Magnolia, TX, USA, TX, United States

As a committed member of an international missionary team for over 20 years, I had the privilege of serving as a...

About Me

As a committed member of an international missionary team for over 20 years, I had the privilege of serving as a Pastor's wife, Teacher, and the Director of Preschool/Kindergarten at Access International School. But my greatest joy was to support women in Soul Care, especially with Inner Healing Prayer.

When we came back to the US, I learned about Spiritual Direction as part of Soul Care. The ESDA describes a spiritual director as “a trained listener who cares about hearing your story. Directors look for the work of the Holy Spirit in your life and help you respond to God’s invitations to a deeper relationship.”

Spiritual direction ignited my desire to provide soul care to women. I realized the Lord was calling me to this ministry, so I enrolled in the Healing Care Ministries’ certificate in Spiritual Formation and the Art of Spiritual Direction. Through the program, I acquired listening skills, learned how to pose meaningful questions, and how to come alongside another as a spiritual companion; I also encountered the Lord in beautiful ways. I experienced His deep love for me and others. I also learned to “be still” and engage both my Right and Left Brain. In short, I experienced God more fully and grew closer to Him!

As your spiritual director led by the Holy Spirit, I will help provide a space for you to be in the presence of the Lord where we can explore your experiences. You can share your joys, fears, desires, and struggles and, if needed, heal from past hurts and wounds. We can find ways to deepen your relationship with our Loving God.

Contact

Phone: 832-525-3595

Website: https://transformingcommunity.com/rooted-in-his-love/

Email: ssabra@transformingcommunity.com

Prefer Contact By: Email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

speak and understand Arabic but not fluent

Specialties

Works with...

Women

Missionaries

Pastors' wives and family

Expertise in...

Experiencing the Lord with the Whole Brain

Ignatian and other contemplative practices

Lectio Divina

Debbie Sanders

Pamplin, VA, United States

Completed my training through Selah of the Leadership Transformations. I lean on a contemplative approach during our times together as we...

About Me

Completed my training through Selah of the Leadership Transformations. I lean on a contemplative approach during our times together as we learn to listen to what God has for the directee.

Contact

Phone: 847.429.8029

Email: debbiesanders@mac.com

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...

Open to everyone / anyone. I have experience with ministry leaders

missionaries

family members

elderly

youth

professors

couples

military

diverse nationalities

groups

Expertise in...

Lectio Divina

women's spirituality

cross-cultural

TCK

MK

Rule of Life

meditatively reading scripture

silence

solitude

labyrinth

stations of the cross

Jennifer Sato-Veloz

London, UK, England, United Kingdom

It is a joy to get to journey with you as you explore and discern God’s invitations and the needs of...

About Me

It is a joy to get to journey with you as you explore and discern God’s invitations and the needs of your soul in this particular season of your life. I enjoy getting to work with individuals and groups in discovering how God has been forming the story of their life. I am drawn towards helping others find personal healing in order to more freely live out their unique gifts and callings. Particular interests include exploring seasons of discernment, recovering from burnout and compassion fatigue, the personal retreat experience and the use of art in contemplative practices. I received my training as a spiritual director through the Institute of Spiritual Formation (ISF) at Biola University and obtained my MA in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care. In addition to spiritual direction, I also work as a psychotherapist in private practice as a licensed clinical social worker in the state of California. Tele-direction sessions currently available.

Contact

Phone: (626) 344-0915

Email: jennifer.sato-veloz@biola.edu

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: NO

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

ministry leaders

pastoral staff

university students

BIPOC individuals

women and men

Expertise in...

psychology

mental health

trauma care

grief and loss

creative contemplative practices

silent retreats

Rob Schettler M.Div, BCC

New Albany, IN, United States

Spiritual direction has personally changed the trajectory of my life. After a traumatic encounter, the Lord guided me to come alongside...

About Me

Spiritual direction has personally changed the trajectory of my life. After a traumatic encounter, the Lord guided me to come alongside my Spiritual Director to discern how God was speaking to me through this experience. After a two and half year time of discernment, I shift to another life course leaving behind a twenty-four-year chaplain career to become a Spiritual Director. The adventure has been beautifully hard and life-giving to my soul. I love the thought of having the opportunity to journey with others in the discovery they find.

During twenty-four years of chaplain ministry, including hospice, hospital care, and pastoring, I have witnessed Christ as the Shepherd of my soul and the souls of others. In the sacred place with others, the Lord's presence faithfully invites us to His loving care. He guides with gentleness, precision, silence, and deep encouragement. Being the Shepherd of each person's soul He knows how to speak exactly to each of us for our understanding and clarity. A holy rhythm in spiritually sitting with another is listening to His invitations with them. If you are looking for a safe presence to sit, process, and prayerfully listen together in your journey of faith here is my invitation to you. Peace to you.

Contact

Phone: 502-649-2083

Website: pastoralcare4u.com

Email: PastoralCare4You@gmail.com

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...

Faith journey with Individuals

Marriages

Terminally Ill

Pastors

Church Leaders

Missionaries

Health care Workers

Expertise in...

Men & Women's Spirituality

Chaplaincy

Grief

Cancer care

Maggie Schlosser

Atlanta, GA, USA, GA, United States

I am a trained spiritual director and supervisor in the Atlanta area. I see myself as a “space creator.” My soul...

About Me

I am a trained spiritual director and supervisor in the Atlanta area. I see myself as a “space creator.” My soul comes alive when I get to create a space for someone to share about their life. I see a sacredness in all things – the seemingly mundane and big blessings. It is an honor and a gift to me to walk alongside someone wherever they are on their spiritual journey.
High school math was my first passion, which I taught for 7 years before pursuing ministry. For five years, I worked in both church production and marketplace ministry. I completed my spiritual direction certification through Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta, Georgia and found my calling.
My ministry is called Ravach Ministries because ravach is a Hebrew word that means wide open space. It also means to breathe freely, to be refreshed, and full of compassion. This is the essence of my hope for spiritual direction – a spacious place where one comes as they are, to pause and breathe in the midst of our chaotic world, and connect with the compassionate heart of the Divine. I’ve learned that the Divine doesn’t exist in a box, but rather in the wide-open space that allows us all to be who we were uniquely created to be.

Contact

Website: ravach.org

Email: maggie@ravach.org

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...

all-ages

all stages of life

singles

students

church leaders

spiritual directors

Expertise in...

Ignatian spirituality

discernment

grief

loss

enneagram

body image

sexuality

gender identity

faith deconstruction

church hurt

eating disorder recovery support

supervision

Patrick Schnieders

Eldora, IA, United States

Spiritual Director, Pastor, Teacher Online, In-Person, Group Direction, IndividualDirection I received training in spiritual direction from Christos Center for Spiritual Formation...

About Me

Spiritual Director, Pastor, Teacher
Online, In-Person, Group Direction, IndividualDirection

I received training in spiritual direction from Christos Center for Spiritual Formation. I have a Master of Arts in Christian Spiritual Formation and Leadership from Friends University and a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry from Abilene Christian University.
Prior to attending Christos, I spent 10+ years leading small groups online and in person in a style very similar to group spiritual direction. I have served a number of years in ministry, full-time, part-time, and bi-vocationally, both inside and outside of the institutional church, in denominational and nondenominational settings.
Spiritual direction encourages us to steward well our most valuable asset, the gift of our attention. Spiritual direction provides the possibility for ministry leaders to pay attention to the condition of their own soul as they care for others and group spiritual direction provides an opportunity to experience life-giving community as we learn to pay attention to one another.

Contact

Email: patrickaschnieders@gmail.com

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Joshua Schroeder

Prineville, OR, United States

One of my greatest joys in life is being invited into the unique and personal journeys of the people in my...

About Me

One of my greatest joys in life is being invited into the unique and personal journeys of the people in my life. God is a true artist, and each story He is writing is full of creativity and beauty (even in the midst of the darkness we so often find). It is an honor to hold others' stories and notice the hand of our Heavenly Father weaving together a masterpiece through their lives.

Having grown up spending my summers in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, I have always loved beauty and have a deep appreciation for the imagery God has woven throughout His creation. I have also been a deep thinker and have always loved connecting the dots of life and noticing the bigger picture of what God is doing in our stories. Spiritual Direction has created space for me to integrate these parts of my story into the process of walking with individuals in their own stories.

I recently completed my Spiritual Direction training through the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Talbot School of Theology and have one year left in my M.A. in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care. I also have a Certificate in Spiritual Formation and Leadership through The Leadership Institute - a spiritual formation and discipleship ministry based in Southern California. I am currently offering direction at Biola University as a staff director, as well as on an individual basis in the La Mirada area.

Having grown up in the church, my story has been one of rediscovering my faith apart from the legalism and performance based Christianity I grew up in. I love helping others discover true freedom in Christ as they rediscover their faith in light of God's grace. I have also been profoundly impacted through the time I have spent outdoors in God's creation and have a passion for helping others connect with God through an embodied faith. As Susanna Wesley once prayed, "Help me [help us], Lord, to remember that religion is not to be confined to the church, or closet, nor exercised only in prayer and meditation, but that everywhere I am in Thy presence... May all things instruct me and afford me the opportunity of exercising some virtue and daily learning and growing toward Thy likeness... Amen."

Contact

Phone: (714) 244-5632

Email: joshua.k.schroeder@biola.edu

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...

Youth

College Students

Lay Leaders

Individuals in Life Transitions

Individuals who grew up in the Church

Expertise in...

Rediscovering your Faith

Moralism and Legalism

Physical Soul Care

Myers-Briggs

Enneagram

Imagery and Metaphor

Creativity

Dark Night

Lynn Schrott

Pittsburgh, PA, United States

Hello, my name is Lynn. I am a wife, mother to 3 grown daughters, 2 toddler grandsons and a retired hospice...

About Me

Hello, my name is Lynn. I am a wife, mother to 3 grown daughters, 2 toddler grandsons and a retired hospice nurse. One of my favorite joys is to sit with another and create a contianer for people to sit with their spiritual stories. I have a special heart for those who are weary and worn with care. I see one of my main tasks as a spiritual director to practice ‘spiritual hospitality’ ... creating a safe and welcoming space for the directee, no matter where they are on their journey and I to invite the Spirit’s work and presence.

I received my training as a spiritual director at North Park (Evangelical Covenant Church) seminary in Chicago, graduating in 2017. My husband and I are members of Church of the Ascension, an Anglican Church in Pittsburgh, PA. I see people in my home office in the south hills of Pittsburgh or virtually via FaceTime or Zoom. I have flexibility to provide day and evening appointments. The best way to contact me is via phone, text or email.

I love to create a safe space for those with whom I sit, to listen together for Gods invitations in their lives. I enjoy helping others to deepen their intimacy with God and deepen their understanding of who God is and how much they are loved.

Contact

Phone: 4124003702

Email: lynnschrott@gmail.com

Prefer Contact By: Email or text

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Specialties

Works with...

Women

men

groups

health care workers

divorced

care givers

clergy

between churches

discerning

seeking a deeper prayer life and intimacy with God

Expertise in...

Grief

loss

Lectio and Visio Divina

Examen prayer

parenting

Dave Schwabauer

Niles, MI, United States

I am on a journey with God to learn who He has made me to be, and to join Him in...

About Me

I am on a journey with God to learn who He has made me to be, and to join Him in the ministry He continues to develop me for. Having accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior at age 8, I am a life-long follower of Jesus Christ, seeking an ever-closer walk with Him. Recognizing that God placed people in my life at pivotal moments, who shepherded and nurtured me so that I might better identify with the God who has created me in His image, I seek to come alongside others in a companionship ministry assisting them to better hear the still, small voice of God. My calling is primarily to come alongside those He places in my life-especially men-who also desire that same intimacy with God, igniting the Divine Spark, and helping to fan their passion into full flame as they seek to follow hard after God.

I have been an ordained pastor and chaplain in the Reformed tradition for over 40 years. God has led me to pastor three churches, serve 20 years as a U.S. Navy Chaplain, work with end-of-life ministry through hospice, serve within business and industry with Marketplace Chaplains USA, and I have recently retired after serving as a hospital chaplain for over 8 years. I completed training to become a spiritual director through the Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction in May 2020.

I have been married for over 40 years to a wonderful Christ follower and leader. Together she and I have 3 children and 5 grandchildren who are themselves all avid followers of Christ. Believing that I have been-in the tradition of Abraham-blessed to be a blessing, I am prayerfully asking God to lead me to the right people I can come alongside to journey in faith with. Will you prayerfully consider if you might be one of those people?

Contact

Phone: 6309458486

Email: chaplndave@gmail.com

Prefer Contact By: email, text or phone

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

pastors

church leaders

professors

students

disabled persons

elderly

active duty military

veterans

medical personnel

law enforcement

Expertise in...

Men's spirituality

Lectio Divina

trauma

grief

military deployment

Nicole Scott

River Forest, IL, United States

Hi. I’m Nicole. I’ve been facilitating spiritual conversations for over 20 years. I’m passionate about helping others connect more deeply with...

About Me

Hi. I’m Nicole. I’ve been facilitating spiritual conversations for over 20 years. I’m passionate about helping others connect more deeply with themselves and with God, and Spiritual Direction is the best way that I’ve found to do that.

I’ve had several careers, including church ministry leader, international humanitarian worker, and water resources engineer, and I’m grateful for the ways my professional experiences shape how I listen. I’m a wife and mom, and I enjoy traveling, gardening, dancing, long walks, meaningful conversations, being in nature, and city adventures.

Spiritual Direction has led me personally into deeper head/heart/body integration, breakthrough, and freedom, and I am honored to offer this sacred space to others.

*The most important words about me as a Spiritual Director come from the folks I’ve had the privilege of holding space with. Many of them were generous to share their experiences on my website (link below). I offer a free consultation session with no obligation to continue with me. If you’re interested or even curious, I’d love to hear from you!

More specifics about my eclectic professional and personal experience:
-I'm a Certified Spiritual Director, with certificate from Sustainable Faith.
-I spent 7 years in ministry working as a Care Ministry Director, Small Groups Director, and Staff Coach at a large church in Chicago.
-I spent 5 years in international development/humanitarian work. I helped start a non-profit in Kenya as Water and Sanitation Program Manager.
-I worked 5 years as Water Resources Engineer for a top environmental consulting firm in downtown Chicago.

Before kids, I traveled to 28 countries, and I now enjoy mostly domestic adventures with my husband and two daughters exploring all the charms of our small town as well as the excitement of Chicago, which is just 20 short minutes away. In addition to being a Spiritual Director and a mom, I volunteer with my church and several organizations in my community.

Contact

Website: spiritualdirectionwithnicole.com

Email: nicolegscott@gmail.com

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

moms

professionals

non-profit workers

ministry leaders

international aid workers/missionaries

retirees

all genders

craving a pause to integrate

wanting a spiritual guide

desiring deeper connection with God

ready for next level of spiritual growth

curious about spiritual practices

deconstructing faith

grieving loss

church hurt

shifting image of God

Expertise in...

head/heart/body awareness and integration

centering prayer

imaginative prayer

lectio divina

lament

Enneagram

Myers-Briggs

spiritual pathways

spiritual gifts

spiritual practices

Gail Seidel

Fredericksburg, TX, United States

I was trained in the Selah Spiritual Director's Training Program 2011-2013 under Leadership Transformation. I offer direction to seminary students, missionaries...

About Me

I was trained in the Selah Spiritual Director's Training Program 2011-2013 under Leadership Transformation.

I offer direction to seminary students, missionaries and anyone who is eager to seek and listen to the Lord. I use my spiritual direction training to lead group direction in the D Min in Spiritual Formation cohort. I lead silent retreats and speak on "Soul Care in the Life of a Leader.

I am a graduate of the University of Texas - BA English; Dallas Theological Seminary - MACE; Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary - D Min in Spiritual Formation.

Contact

Phone: 972-897-5880

Email: gnseidel@mac.com

Prefer Contact By: email or phone

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

students - seminary and other; pastor's family

missionaries

church leaders

Expertise in...

cross cultural

third culture

Jackie Sevier

Las Vegas, NV, United States

Since 2004, I’ve come alongside people desiring deeper intimacy with God and others, creating sacred space in spiritual direction and retreat...

About Me

Since 2004, I’ve come alongside people desiring deeper intimacy with God and others, creating sacred space in spiritual direction and retreat. I am passionate about helping others discover the joy of God’s presence in each moment, embracing others as they are, calling forth their unique expression of love to those God has given them.

I received a Masters in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from the Institute For Spiritual Formation at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, completing formal training in spiritual direction. I have also completed formal training in the supervision of spiritual directors, from TIM (2014-2015) and Fordham Graduate School of Religion (2024), to help individuals and directors embrace their God, themselves and their world.

I have supervised spiritual directors and graduate students in practicum training at the Institute for Spiritual Formation, taught courses in Spiritual Formation at Talbot School of Theology, supervised the training and formation of CFDM spiritual directors and have led retreats for various groups. I currently serve on the Executive board of CFDM (Christian Formation and Direction Ministries) Nevada.

I enjoy the beauty of life in the desert, living simply yet abundantly with my loving husband of 30 years, three beautiful daughters, and dear friends.

Contact

Phone: 469-782-9422 (ESDA), 714-349-7059 (cell)

Website: https://sites.google.com/fordham.edu/sevier-mercy

Email: jackie.sevier@graftedlife.org, Jackie.sevier@biola.edu

Prefer Contact By: email or phone

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Spiritual directors

pastors

church leaders

therapists

SD program faculty

supervisors

missionaries

Expertise in...

Supervision

intercultural issues

trauma

grief

deconstruction

dark night

neurodiversity

Renee Shaeffer

Tacoma, WA, United States

Hello! My name is Renee Shaeffer, and I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 18 years, and we...

About Me

Hello! My name is Renee Shaeffer, and I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 18 years, and we have 2 boys (so far). I have been on a journey of faith for about 30 years now and
graduated from The Institution for Spiritual Formation at Talbot Theological Seminary with a Masters in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care in 2011 after resigning as a high school teacher and head volleyball coach. I am forever changed by the rhythms that God settled into my heart and mind during that time.

I seek to find God in all things and count it a privilege to walk alongside others in their faith journeys. I received training to be a Spiritual Director, which means I’ve had hours and days of practicing the art of listening and discernment. I don’t have magic powers – just skills to sit with others and listen to God with them and on their behalf. Before, during, and after every session I am completely and utterly dependent on the Holy Spirit to ultimately direct while we follow His lead and desire to respond in faithfulness and obedience.

In addition to my slight obsession with finding God in all things, I also love (like really love) the following:

travel, travel planning, 90’s Hip-Hop + R&B, Motown + Soul, B&Bs, Johnnyswim, friendships, going on walks, picnics, dancing, This Is Us, fresh squeezed orange juice, listening to vinyls on my record player, talking and learning about racial and social justice, adoption and foster care and all the messiness that leaning into broken and imperfect systems brings (God uses and is in it all), and Christmas.

I’m thankful you’re here, and I look forward to journeying with you.

Contact

Website: www.curating4connection.com

Email: renee@curating4connection.com

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: NO

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

students

ministers

church leaders

business professionals

married couples

marginalized

Expertise in...

deconstruction

racial reconciliation

parenting

God image

Ignatian prayer retreat

women's spirituality

creativity

body-spirit connection

cross-cultural

life coach

enneagram

rule of life

dark night

Sami A Shaker

Long Island, NY, NY, United States

I'm passionate about coming along side people from all walks of life on their spiritual journey with God. My desire is...

About Me

I'm passionate about coming along side people from all walks of life on their spiritual journey with God. My desire is to see God’s children set free and empowered to live the full life he promised.
Over three decades ago, I found home in the Vineyard Church in New York where I received love, discipleship and training for ministry. I graduated Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction two-year program in May 2022.
I’m married to my best friend, Amal, since 1991 and have two adult children. We enjoy hosting friends, traveling and walking on the beach.

Contact

Phone: (516) 574-2374

Website: facebook.com/sami.shaker.54

Email: shakers4@gmail.com

Prefer Contact By: shakers4@gmail.com

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Arabic

Specialties

Expertise in...

Finding peace in turbulent times

Roger Sharp

Newberg, OR, United States

I am a Pastor of nearly three decades who enjoys encouraging and challenging people with conversations of faith. I desire to...

About Me

I am a Pastor of nearly three decades who enjoys encouraging and challenging people with conversations of faith. I desire to create a space where you can seek spiritual direction and clarity.

My education spans varying cultures and contexts with an undergrad from the University of Oklahoma, a Masters from Southwestern Seminary in Texas, and a doctoral degree in spiritual formation from Northern Seminary in Illinois where I studied with Ruth Haley Barton. My spiritual direction certification was completed in 2023 from George Fox University in Oregon.

My wife Mary Jo founded the non-profit ministry, Confident Christianity where I serve as the Executive Director. Additionally, she and I engage culturally relevant topics on our Patreon page, “The Pastor and The Professor.“

A proud member of the indigenous Choctaw Tribe and a veteran of the US Air Force, I find great joy in honoring people, nature, country, and most of all my God who sustains and loves me.

For fun, Mary Jo and I jump at any chance to go on a hike, take in ocean and mountain views, as well as hang out with our daughter Emily and her new husband Josh. Our visits to the Middle East, the UK, as well as New Zealand and Australia, highlight some of our favorite adventures. Our affinity with all things LOTR and Star Wars, dictate much of our conversation. An avid punner, I enjoy dad-joking with the best of them.

Spiritual Direction Values I hold:
Sacred space
Honesty with self and others
Integrity
Desire for things that have meaning
Trust
Hope

Contact

Phone: 7134175733

Website: www.sharpspiritualdirection.com

Email: asharpfamily@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

church leaders

Professors

business professionals

ministry leaders

Expertise in...

Ignatian Spirituality

Eric Sheeran

Chiang Mai, จ.เชียงใหม่, Thailand

Through my own experience facing the pressures and challenges of overseas Christian service, I have come to have a deep desire...

About Me

Through my own experience facing the pressures and challenges of overseas Christian service, I have come to have a deep desire to see ministers and cross-cultural workers experience and live in the deep love of God. Completing an MA in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care at Talbot School of Theology was a deeply transformation experience for me. It is a joy and a privilege for me to journey with others through the ministry of spiritual direction, by helping make space to hear God’s loving call amidst the realities of the ups and downs, hopes and disappointments, faith and fears, joys and doubts we often find ourselves in.

Contact

Phone: 949-682-9958

Email: ericsheeran@protonmail.com

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Mandarin Chinese

Specialties

Works with...

Christian Workers

Missionaries

Ministry/Church Leaders

Students

Expertise in...

Imagination

Lectio Divina

Cross-cultural

Third-culture

Adam Shields

Marietta, GA, USA, GA, United States

I am a spiritual director trained in the Ignatian stream of spiritual direction. My focus is on seeing how God is...

About Me

I am a spiritual director trained in the Ignatian stream of spiritual direction. My focus is on seeing how God is working in the world around us and joining in God's work for us.

I have led a small non-profit that consults with churches and church-based non-profits to develop ministries organizations and program development and evaluation for more than 25 years. Others in my organization primarily focus on prayer.

While I want to serve anyone that is interested in spiritual direction, I feel a special call to work with Christians that feel called to justice work. I believe that spiritual direction has an underappreciated role in ensuring long-term health of individuals and organizations in the essential work of justice ministries.

Contact

Phone: (773)369-3793

Website: http://aspiritualdirector.com

Email: adam@pactconsulting.org

Prefer Contact By: Email or Text preferred as an initial contact

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

justice

discernment

people marginalized from church

non-profit leadership

Paul Shingledecker

Marion, IN, USA, IN, United States

As a missionary in remote places, I often felt I was walking alone, spiritually speaking. When I discovered Spiritual Direction, I...

About Me

As a missionary in remote places, I often felt I was walking alone, spiritually speaking. When I discovered Spiritual Direction, I discovered the joy of walking with a companion. And ever since I have counted it a privilege do the same for others. To walk along side, so that no one must travel alone.

I’m an MK from Africa, spent many years in Haiti with World Gospel Mission and continue to work part time in IT. I went to Asbury University and have an MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary. My wife and I attend College Wesleyan Church in Marion, IN where I received my training in the CWC Becoming a Spiritual Director program.

The older I get the more convinced I become that we miss so much of what God is doing and wants to do for us and in us. It is such a privilege and a joy for me to help my directees see God in his fulness and to see him active in their daily lives.

Contact

Phone: 765-661-6534

Email: paul.shingledecker@wgm.org

Prefer Contact By: Email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Haitian Creole

Specialties

Works with...

Men

women

pastors

missionaries

retiring Christian workers

MK's

Third Culture Kids

cross-cultural

diversity

Expertise in...

cross-culture

third-culture

retirees

Neal Siler

Mechanicsville, VA, United States

A native of Siler City, North Carolina, I have lived in the Richmond, Virginia area for over thirty years. I am...

About Me

A native of Siler City, North Carolina, I have lived in the Richmond, Virginia area for over thirty years. I am married to my best friend, Sharon; we have two married children, a son and a daughter, and three grandchildren that we adore. I have been a Baptist pastor for over 40 years and in 2017 will have served as Senior Pastor of The First Shiloh Baptist Church, Mechanicsville, Virginia for thirty years. I am an adjunct professor at Ashland Theological Seminary, in Ashland, Ohio, Director/Faculty of HCM International’s Spiritual Direction Program, and the President and Founder of The Healing Place Center for Counseling and Spiritual Formation in Richmond, Virginia. I offer spiritual direction to individuals who find themselves at a crossroad, impasse, or who are simply experiencing life challenges. I sense a particular calling to come alongside African American individuals who struggle to reconcile issues of faith and experiences of life that create pain and brokenness that stem from systemic and societal issues.

I have a BA in Psychology and Sociology from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, a Master of Theological Studies from the Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio; a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the Southwestern University, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, Ohio. I received training as a Spiritual Director as a part of my doctoral program of study in Formational Counseling at Ashland Theological Seminary. I am also a certified Myers Briggs (MBTI) Master Practitioner, and Enneagram Practitioner.

I completed additional programs in spiritual formation and extensive studies and research in African American spirituality and soul care as reflected in my doctoral dissertation, on the efficacy of the formational model for healing and pastoral care in the African American context. Subsequently, I authored two books that address the spiritual formation of African Americans: How I Got Over: Healing for the African American Soul, and Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey: Caring for the African American Soul. I feel a deep calling to be a “friend of the Bridegroom” and to come alongside others as an empathic witness. To enter with them into the sacred terrain of their soul is a sacred privilege. My prayer is that they will hear God’s voice, and discover an ever-deepening intimacy with God as we begin the journey of listening and discerning together.

Contact

Phone: (804) 730-1348

Website: thehealingplaceva.org

Email: rnsiler@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...

individuals

couples

pastors

church leaders

marginalized

African Americans

Expertise in...

Ignatian

trauma

grief

cross culture

African American spirituality

psychology

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