Roseanne Elling

Dallas, TX, United States

It is my privilege to offer spiritual hospitality to those who desire a deeper or different relationship with God. My goal...

About Me

It is my privilege to offer spiritual hospitality to those who desire a deeper or different relationship with God. My goal is to provide time and space where people can be heard without judgment, with the hope that they can become more aware of how God’s deep, personal, and unrelenting love is present in every aspect of their life, even when it doesn’t seem that way. In our meetings we look to the Real Director, God the Holy Spirit, for wisdom and guidance.
My background includes a 25-year former career as a psychotherapist and a variety of life experiences. I completed a certificate program with Leadership Transformations Selah Spiritual Direction Program.
Along with providing spiritual direction in-person and over Zoom, I lead contemplative prayer groups, facilitate spiritual retreats, speak, and offer career and calling coaching.

Contact

Phone: 214-215-0250

Email:

Prefer Contact By: email or text to set up a time to meet over the phone or in person

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Individuals

groups

people in "full time Christian ministry" and their families (pastors missionaries

people in para-church ministries)

people in non-profits

creatives

married couples

singles

divorced

widowed

academics

business professionals

Expertise in...

Enneagram

Myers-Briggs

grief

psychology

calling and career

discernment

finding your authentic self

creativity

trials

waiting

Christina Elmajian

Newport Beach, CA, United States

Journeying with someone in life is an honor because it opens the door to knowing that person in a deep way...

About Me

Journeying with someone in life is an honor because it opens the door to knowing that person in a deep way. Many times the trials in life can make us weary and exhausted. I know this because I have traveled that road myself. My hope is to offer a safe place to be heard and to hear from God. Spiritual direction offers the time and space to discover what God is doing in your life and to experience those "ah-ha" moments of insight and understanding.

I received my MA in Spiritual Direction and Soul Care from Talbot School of Theology. Currently, I am a Staff Spiritual Director for the Center for Spiritual Renewal. My group direction experience has ranged from high school leaders, women only, to co-ed groups. I enjoy leading retreats, especially those that introduce believers to new ways of coming before God and listening to Him.

I have been married for 24 years and have four amazing, fun teenagers/young adults. My extra time is spent painting, running, taking yoga classes, reading good books, and having great conversations and adventures with friends.

Christina@bologroup.com

Contact

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...

Trained in 19th Annotation and Journey with Jesus by Larry Warner

Mary Kay Esswein

Cypress, CA, United States

God has led me through a lifetime of spiritual adventures that have unveiled His gracious presence in my deepest joys and...

About Me

God has led me through a lifetime of spiritual adventures that have unveiled His gracious presence in my deepest joys and sorrows and it's a blessing to prayerfully come alongside others seeking Him in everyday life. I have been a pediatric nurse practitioner for 38 years and graduated from Talbot School of Theology in 2012 with a Masters Degree in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, serving as a Spiritual Director at the Center for Spiritual Renewal at Biola for 5 years.

Family relationships and parenting are the joy of my life with 40 years of marriage, parenting three children to adulthood in the Lord and discovering the joy of being a grandma to 3 little ones. I have served on short term medical mission teams to Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Africa and India and enjoy hiking, skiing, whitewater rafting, photography, singing, journaling and talking with friends.

I treasure listening to the Lord with another as “deep calls to deep” and am thankful to be anchored in God's Word and His transforming power through the Holy Spirit.“You have turned my mourning into dancing.” Ps. 30:11

Contact

Phone: 714-821-6595, 714-443-1444 cell

Email:

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Women of all ages

parents/grandparents

medical professionals

students

professors

missionaries

Expertise in...

Women's spirituality

trauma or grief

music

lectio divina

prayer journal

body-spirit connection

Gem Fadling

Mission Viejo, CA, United States

One of my favorite metaphors for spiritual direction is that of midwife. A Spiritual Director is like a midwife who opens...

About Me

One of my favorite metaphors for spiritual direction is that of midwife. A Spiritual Director is like a midwife who opens her heart's home in holy hospitality. I like to create a safe place for women and attend to a process that has a life of its own.

My desire is to walk with women who are on their own spiritual journey. I enjoy creating a welcoming place as I listen well, both to the person and to God.

I am the co-founder of Unhurried Living, along with my husband, Alan. We inspire Christian leaders around the world to rest deeper so they can live fuller and lead better. We provide training and content (including a podcast) that helps people lead from fullness rather than leading on empty.

I have 15 years' experience in church ministry with youth, young adults, families, women, worship and prayer. I have certifications in spiritual direction from the Monastery of the Risen Christ (1-year program), as well as The Leadership Institute (3-year program). I also meet quarterly with a group of spiritual directors for ongoing supervision.

"As a holy listener …. I have to put myself out of the way, to become humble in the true sense of knowing my place in the order of God's creation …. above, all, I must be reverent, for I am entrusted with something precious and tender." (Margaret Guenther)

Contact

Website: http://unhurriedliving.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...

Women

Women in Leadership

Expertise in...

Women's Spirituality

Enneagram

Creativity

Solitude Retreats

Alan Fadling

Mission Viejo, CA, United States

Alan Fadling (M. Div., Fuller Theological Seminary) is President and Founder of Unhurried Living, Inc. in Mission Viejo, CA, inspiring people...

About Me

Alan Fadling (M. Div., Fuller Theological Seminary) is President and Founder of Unhurried Living, Inc. in Mission Viejo, CA, inspiring people to rest deeper, live fuller and lead better. He speaks and consults internationally, as well as nationally with organizations such as Saddleback Church, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Cru, Halftime Institute, Apprentice Institute and Open Doors International. He is the award-winning author of An Unhurried Life (IVP 2013), honored with a Christianity Today Award of Merit in spirituality, and of An Unhurried Leader (IVP 2017). He is a certified spiritual director. He lives in Mission Viejo, California with his wife, Gem, and their three sons.

Contact

Phone: 9492127904

Website: http://unhurriedliving.com/

Email:

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...

Pastors

missionaries and Christians in organizational leadership

Amanda Fessehazion

Worthington, OH, United States

Hi! My given name is Amanda, but if that seems too formal you can also call me Mandy. Spiritual Direction found...

About Me

Hi! My given name is Amanda, but if that seems too formal you can also call me Mandy.

Spiritual Direction found me in 2015 when a mentor of mine began formal training as a spiritual director. I had never heard of such a thing, but the experience has been so life giving to me personally. Pursuing spiritual direction training was a transformative experience in my life. I have personally gone through seasons of doubt and confusion surrounding faith. I continue to come back to Jesus because I have too much evidence of His existence and goodness to go anywhere else. That being said I am comfortable sitting with you in the middle places of faith where it is ok to say ‘I don’t know.’

I am the special needs ministry coordinator at Vineyard Columbus and it is truly my dream job! My academic background is in social work and special education from Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction has trained me as a spiritual director and it is a great joy to journey with you towards a deeper experience with the love and presence of God.

I am a native of Ohio, but I have a serious case of wanderlust and try to travel at any chance I get. Things I enjoy include humor, coffee, cooking for people, conversations, hikes and cozy British books and films. Things I do not enjoy include activity after 9 pm, math, pants that are too tight and humidity. I am married to a very handsome electrician and we live in Worthington, OH with our two spirited daughters and puppy.

It's my joy to offer individual direction, group direction, facilitate clearness committees and community discernment processes. I am a member of the Evangelical Spiritual Direction Association and ascribe to their code of ethics.

Contact

Phone: 9376577090

Website: www.rootedspiritualdirection.com

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...

Pastors

church leaders

disabled persons

terminally ill

seekers and anyone desiring to pay attention to the ways God is moving in their lives.

Expertise in...

special needs

dark night of the soul

women's spirituality

trauma and grief.

Karen Fields

Upland, CA, USA, CA, United States

Karen Fields has served as a certified spiritual director and life coach for the last eight years. She pastored with her...

About Me

Karen Fields has served as a certified spiritual director and life coach for the last eight years. She pastored with her husband, Mark, over twenty years at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship, Claremont/Pomona, California, as well as working professionally as a public school teacher for 25 years. Karen received her spiritual director training with CFDM (Christian Formation & Direction Ministries) in 2011. Karen has celebrated 40 years of marriage, and is the mother of three adult children and six adorable granddaughters.

Karen now devotes her energies to the spiritual, as well as leadership, development of Christian pastors and leaders. For the last eight years she has served with Vineyard Missions as part of a team of spiritual directors who minister, both internationally and in the US, through “Leader Care” spiritual formation retreats. She has led retreats all over the world in countries that currently include Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, England, Indonesia, Philippines, India, Nepal, Cambodia and Thailand. Karen is also available to lead local church spiritual formation retreats that emphasize experiences designed to facilitate an intimate friendship with God.

Karen also has significant experience working as a certified life coach, especially with those navigating major life transitions and Christian leaders needing professional coaching as well as personal spiritual direction.

Her private spiritual direction practice is largely online using Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, Google Hangout, etc., building relationships with individuals from a variety of cross-cultural backgrounds.

Contact

Phone: (909) 292-7661 (cell/text)

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 and missionaries

Expertise in...

Cross-cultural direction

Ignatian spirituality

Enneagram

Lectio Divina

Examen

imaginative prayer

creativity exercises

and life coaching

Diane Fillmore

La Habra, CA, United States

What has God been doing in your life? What is He doing now? How have you responded to Him in your...

About Me

What has God been doing in your life? What is He doing now? How have you responded to Him in your past? How would you like to respond to Him now? These are some of the many questions we might explore as we seek together to help you grow into the person God created you to be and to explore His purposes for your life. I'm a former hospice chaplain, pastor and life-writing instructor who loves to help people make sense of their past and discover their future, no matter what your current age. I've trained at the Institute for Spiritual Formation in La Mirada CA, hold an M.A. in Religion and Ethics and am currently finishing a second M.A. in Soul Care and Spiritual Formation.

Contact

Phone: (562) 383-7657

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...

females

those with chronic or terminal illness

mid-life or senior adults

cancer patients

Expertise in...

life review

Jill Fisk

Webster Groves, MO, United States

It is my incredible joy to walk alongside women as they discover the fullest expression of who God has designed them...

About Me

It is my incredible joy to walk alongside women as they discover the fullest expression of who God has designed them to be: holy and whole in soul, spirit, and body. I hold a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Aquinas Institute of Theology and am currently pursuing an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary. I am a recovering ministry busybody, and through practices such as lectio divina, contemplative prayer, sabbath, retreat, and prayerful yoga, I have found the treasure of being with my Lord instead overworking myself for Him. I meet with individuals or groups in person in the St. Louis area or via Skype or FaceTime. New directees most welcome.

Contact

Phone: 314-973-2688

Email:

Prefer Contact By: text

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

leaders

those seeking physical integration in prayer practices

Expertise in...

yoga

breathwork

meditation

retreat leading

Christine Flower

Surprise, AZ, United States

My personal journey into Spiritual Direction began after my divorce, which sent me into a very dark place both emotionally and...

About Me

My personal journey into Spiritual Direction began after my divorce, which sent me into a very dark place both emotionally and spiritually. Divorce left me broken, feeling that I had nothing left to offer God or other people. It was a death I had not anticipated; it left me without a recognizable identity because my foundation felt shattered. I read many books, sought counsel among a few fellow believers and friends, and embarked on a year-and-a-half journey through Christian counseling, which involved several sessions of inner healing prayer. During that time my friend was going down the road of her own healing and Spiritual Direction training. At her recommendation, I looked into becoming a director myself. The timing of it was like God; I had just finished up my counseling, and when I received the invitation to look into Spiritual Direction, I sensed that counseling tilled the soil for the deeper work that God was about to do in my heart. I think of Spiritual Direction as a quiet place where one can meet with another as they seek God together. When I experience Spiritual Direction as the directee, I know that I feel listened to, heard, understood, and cared for. God’s voice often seems so quiet that it is almost imperceptible, but He is most definitely there. We just have to get quiet enough to listen; Spiritual Direction provides just such the opportunity. Through Spiritual Direction, God seems to reach deep into our souls over time; it’s such a gentle practice.
I have been in Spiritual Direction since 2016, and in May 2018 I graduated from Sustainable Faith’s School of Spiritual Direction. Alongside my ministry of Spiritual Direction, I am a veteran English teacher (since 1999) and an occasional editor, so I have a long history of working with people. Additionally, I am a mother of one daughter in elementary school and a pit bull who thinks she’s a human.

Contact

Website: https://aquietplacesd.weebly.com

Email:

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: NO

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

women

Expertise in...

Lectio Divina

women's spirituality

trauma or grief

Myers-Briggs

Enneagram

rule of life

Sharon Forth

Strongsville, OH, United States

I have experienced enough life to see that God is involved in everything happening, and love helping others to see this...

About Me

I have experienced enough life to see that God is involved in everything happening, and love helping others to see this also. He is ever-present and eager for our relationship. Leading women's groups, being a church secretary, having training in two inner-healing prayer ministries, and the completion of Sustainable Faith's intensive two-year Spiritual Direction course have prepared me to follow my heart's desire of seeing God’s work in others lives through spiritually directing women. Besides being a wife, mother, and grandmother, among other things I enjoy are nature, reading, knitting, art, hospitality, and travel.

During my sessions, I often incorporate spiritual disciplines such as Lectio Divina, Imaginative Prayer, and the Examen (looking over past days to see where God is moving in our lives). I love helping women “dust for the fingerprints of God”.

Contact

Phone: (440) 334-4941 (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...

Women of all ages & stages

Expertise in...

Women's spirituality

Lectio Divina

Justin Fox

Seal Beach, CA, United States

I am a graduate of Biola University's MA in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care ('13). I have been trained in many...

About Me

I am a graduate of Biola University's MA in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care ('13). I have been trained in many facets of direction, supervision, and various retreat approaches including the Exercises of St. Ignatius.

I’ve been involved in ministry for over two decades, and currently serve as Pastor of Worship at Grace Community Church in Seal Beach, CA. Because of my background as a songwriter, recording artist, and worship leader, I have a unique heart for artists, musicians, and the creative community. My passion is to walk alongside others, especially pastors, missionaries, and other Christian leaders as they discover their unique calling and freedom in Christ. I'm a west coast native, nature enthusiast, husband of 24 years, and father of four children, ages 15-22.

Contact

Phone: 562-508-8433

Website: www.justinfox.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...

pastors

missionaries

artists

creatives

seekers

Expertise in...

Igantian Spirituality

contemplative retreat

music

art

vocational discernment

Lectio Divina

centering prayer

Laura Francis-Thorp

Chapel Hill, NC, United States

It brings me great joy to prayerfully listen for God with others in spiritual direction. As I meet with others, we...

About Me

It brings me great joy to prayerfully listen for God with others in spiritual direction. As I meet with others, we seek to discern invitations from God for spiritual growth and renewal as well as to experience God’s presence and guidance in the midst of life’s ups and downs. With time set apart in an hospitable space, we experience a deeper understanding of Christ's goodness and love through the Holy Spirit. I received my certification in spiritual direction through Leadership Transformation’s Selah program after several years of facilitating Bible study, prayer and spiritual companioning groups and serving in mental health counseling.

Contact

Phone: 919-960-1814

Email:

Prefer Contact By: phone or email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

French

Specialties

Works with...

adults

ministers

high school

college and graduate students

professors

academics

married couples

parents

professionals

terminally ill

Expertise in...

Lectio Divina

women's spirituality

trauma

grief

psychology

Enneagram

recovery

dark night

life transitions

mind-body-soul connection

Deanna Frank

Camp Verde, AZ, AZ, United States

I received my M.A. in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, including 3 semesters of spiritual direction training, from Talbot School of...

About Me

I received my M.A. in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, including 3 semesters of spiritual direction training, from Talbot School of Theology. I have done individual and group direction with college and seminary students as well as with church members and those in ministry. Having been a part of churches from several different denominations and also having lived in Japan for 11 years, I am comfortable working with people from a variety of cultures and Christian backgrounds.

Contact

Phone: (559) 474-9773

Email:

Prefer Contact By: Email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: NO

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Expertise in...

Cross-cultural

third culture

Jennifer Friesen

Indianapolis, IN, United States

I find great joy in coming alongside others to pay attention together to the activity of God in their lives. I...

About Me

I find great joy in coming alongside others to pay attention together to the activity of God in their lives. I grew up in a Christian home as a child of missionaries in Spain and then served together in Ecuador with my husband for eight years during our early years of marriage. After a difficult season of disorientation, I was introduced to spiritual direction and began meeting with a director. Through this relationship I began developing a framework for making sense of my inner life and began to grow in intimacy with Jesus in a way I had not known was possible.

Over the years a desire grew in me to provide presence for others in the same way. I received my training through Sustainable Faith Indy. My husband and I now serve full time with an organization where our ministry is shepherding global Kingdom workers and companioning them in their journey with God. I enjoy spending time with my husband traveling the globe and with our 3 young adult kids. I also enjoy bicycling on local trails and reading. I am available to meet face to face or virtually.

Contact

Phone: (317)869-8421

Email:

Prefer Contact By: Email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Spanishmission

Specialties

Works with...

Pastor's family

missionaries

Expertise in...

cross-cultural

third-culture

Lana Gentile

Vernon Hills, IL, United States

My heart and passion in spiritual direction is to create an environment for individuals to come and be a soul in...

About Me

My heart and passion in spiritual direction is to create an environment for individuals to come and be a soul in God’s presence. Spiritual direction is an invitation to explore, and engage the miracle, the mystery and the movement of Christ in you and to experience the deep heart of God which leads to freedom and abundant life in Christ. Together we seek to discover your true desires so that you can live into the giftedness and purpose that God has planted in your heart. Colossians 1:27 tells us that, “God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Just like a caterpillar is created specifically to become a butterfly, each of us is created to be first a child of God in relationship with Him, and second to claim our unique presence in our community. Just like the caterpillar, we need to be transformed from the inside out. The caterpillar spins a cocoon called a chrysalis in which it is encased, and it’s molecular structure is completely transformed into a butterfly. Spiritual direction is like a chrysalis where transformation happens. There is a great mystery in how God transforms a caterpillar into a butterfly. There is also a great ministry in how the Spirit transforms a human soul. In spiritual direction we open ourselves to this mystery, to the Holy Spirit’s transforming presence by engaging various spiritual practices, such as Lectio Divina, Visio Divina, Centering Prayer, etc.

I’m a graduate of Trinity International University (BA in Group & Interpersonal Communications), earned a Certificate in Spiritual Transformation (from the Transforming Center) and a Certification in Spiritual Direction (from Christos Center for Spiritual Formation).

My personal interests are in health & wellness, exercise, yoga, crocheting, crafting in many different forms, seeing God’s creation through my camera, and organizing.

Contact

Phone: 847-951-1583

Email:

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Deborah Gill

Springfield, MO, United States

My motto is Grace and Truth; and my goal is to be a best friend of Jesus and to love others...

About Me

My motto is Grace and Truth; and my goal is to be a best friend of Jesus and to love others toward the same.

It has been a joy to serve my Lord Jesus Christ as a senior pastor, missionary, professor, and denominational leader of discipleship. I have been married for 30+ years to my kindred spirit, Jan Gill, an architect/designer of churches. We spent the entire 12 months of the 2014-15 academic year "spiritual adventuring”: traveling 12 countries in pilgrimage—journeying deeper into the presence and power of God. We stayed in monasteries and retreat houses, interviewed spiritual leaders, and concluded with a 32-day Ignatian Retreat.

My ministry specialities include retreats, pilgrimages, and working with a few directees or groups a year who are hungering for more of God, desiring to hear the voice of God, or longing to to abide in Christ. Many of my directees are women in ministry and leadership; and some seek spiritual direction when facing professional transitions, or wanting to be intentional in life-stage planning, or because they have heard an invitation of the Holy Spirit.

Personally, I have been greatly blessed by Ignatian Spirituality (the Ignatian Exercises, 19th Annotation, Examen of Consciousness, and Ignatian Discernment); Teresian Spirituality (Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle and spiritual formation coaching with the Teresian Mansions Mapping Tool); and the spirituality of the ancient Celtic Christians, and the Desert Fathers and Mothers and their contemporary counterparts.

I have completed the Selah Certificate in Spiritual Direction training program; the six-week English Immersion Course in Ignatian Spirituality, Cova Manresa Spain (above the case where Ignatius of Loyola write the Spiritual Exercises); have a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies (Old and New Testaments); and am an ordained minister.

Contact

Phone: 417-379-5297

Email:

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

ministers

missionaries

educators

women in ministry

seasoned adults

Expertise in...

Ignatian

Dale Gish

San Francisco, CA, United States

As a spiritual director and pastor, I offer spiritual direction, the Ignatian Exercises, individual and group retreats, workshops and consultations for...

About Me

As a spiritual director and pastor, I offer spiritual direction, the Ignatian Exercises, individual and group retreats, workshops and consultations for churches and ministries.

I have been a pastor and leader in Christian ministries for more than 25 years, experiencing the joys and sorrows of the life of faith. I have a passion to strengthen and encourage pastors and ministry leaders and to strengthen their relationship with the living God. Through the years I have also walked closely with spouses struggling in their marriages, and people suffering from serious mental health problems. I seek to see my directees in and through the love of the Father, encourage them to encounter the compassion of Jesus, and to open themselves to the Spirit’s work in their lives.

I have a degree in Philosophy from Berea College, a Masters of Divinity from Bethany Theological Seminary, and graduated from both the Soul Formation Academy of Spiritual Direction and Formation, and the Soul Formation School of Spiritual Direction.

My wife Debbie and I have been married for 20 years and have two school-age daughters. Together we lead a marriage ministry in the San Francisco Bay Area and seek to encourage couples towards God and into deeper connection with one another.

Contact

Phone: (415) 608-4604

Website: https://www.deeplybeloved.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...

Pastors

Church leaders

Lay leaders

Youth

Pastor's Family

Missionaries

Married Couples

Anyone seeking God

Expertise in...

Prayer

Ignatian Exercises

Examen

Discernment

Contemplative

Third-Culture

Desire for God

Grief

Midlife Crisis

Burn-out

Discipleship.

Ralph Gjerde

Montrose, PA, United States

I started my career in the business world and transitioned into full time ministry about 10 years ago. I've worked as...

About Me

I started my career in the business world and transitioned into full time ministry about 10 years ago. I've worked as a pastor of spiritual formation and as a director of a Christian retreat center. I have a masters degree in theology from Wheaton Graduate School and another masters degree in spiritual formation and direction from Richmont Graduate University. I am also a graduate of the Renovare Institute of Spiritual Formation. I became a Christian through the Navigators in college. Major spiritual influences: the lives and writings of Ole Hallesby, George MacDonald, and Dallas Willard. As far as hobbies and interests are concerned, I love mountain biking, traveling, cross country skiing, reading and am now working hard at learning German. I'm a big believer in the need for our lives and ministries to flow from a heart seriously and continually seeking intimacy with our Father. I offer spiritual direction to anyone who wishes to grow closer to Christ.

Contact

Phone: (845)645-6264

Email:

Prefer Contact By: Phone or email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: NO

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Norwegian

Specialties

Works with...

Pastors

church leaders

retreat participants

and anyone who wishes to grow closer to Christ.

Expertise in...

Ignatian

Lectio Divina

Larry Glover-Wetherington

Durham, NC, United States

My spiritual formation began when a nursery worker from the church my parents attended visited our home seven days after I...

About Me

My spiritual formation began when a nursery worker from the church my parents attended visited our home seven days after I was born and enrolled me in the Cradle Roll. My father was called into ministry several years later and church was the context of my life. The first time I remember hearing about God, or Jesus, or the Holy Spirit were childhood experiences in church.
As a young person, I began to encounter major changes and challenges in my life. My college education was interrupted by four years in the Air Force, 1968-1972, where I served in Texas, Japan, and Vietnam. I returned from Vietnam embittered and very spiritually needy. After my discharge from the Air Force, my wife and I moved to Gainesville, Florida, so I could finish my BA degree at the University of Florida. Having been separated a year by the Vietnam tour of duty, we immediately began our church life together again.
The Sunday School lessons were about Joseph in the Old Testament. From my Vietnam experience, I readily identified with Joseph being sold into slavery. I was floored when Joseph said to his brothers, “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.” How could he say that? How did he know that? Where did he get his faith? It occurred to me one day after much soul-searching, that from his dreams Joseph had realized that God had called him to a higher purpose. All the tragedies had not prevented God’s redemptive purpose for him and, in fact, had him at the very place God needed him to be.
One Sunday afternoon in my living room, the Holy Spirit brought it home to me that I, too, was loved by God, and God had purpose for my life. I didn’t know how Vietnam fit into that, but I trusted God to bring the pieces together. I encountered Christ so personally and profoundly that I felt healing and acceptance fill my being. I began to experience profoundly transforming spiritual growth.
I had entered the University of Florida to go to their Law School. During my last semester, it was time to take the LSAT. During those weeks, I was also reading through the New Testament devotionally. One day in the Spring, between classes, I sat under a pine tree, still very much in prayer about God’s direction for my life, and I turned to the next chapter in the New Testament, which was Ephesians 3. Shortly, I began to read the words, “I, who am less than the least of all the saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” God quickened those words to me in that moment, and I knew God was calling me into the pastoral ministry. To prepare I received the MDiv and ThM degrees from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I have now accompanied individuals and churches for 41 years as a pastor.
When I turned 50, I sensed that God was calling me to a different place in our relationship. I yearned for a deeper intimacy with God, a different language for my spirituality, a more expansive understanding of transformation and spiritual formation, and a more effective usefulness in the Kingdom of God.
I had heard about spiritual direction in seminary, but besides the demands of seminary and pastoring a church, my wife was chronically ill, and I was her primary caretaker. She subsequently died at age 40. Her name was Myra Jane (Janie) Wetherington. The epitaph God gave me for her was: "She was the joyful presence of the suffering God." The journey of being present to her through her illness and death has been one of my most profound walks with God both in questions and assurance. I remarried a couple of years later to Miriam Anne Glover, and we combined our names to Glover-Wetherington.
At the age of 50, I entered the Spiritual Guidance Program offered by the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation and received a Certificate of Completion in 2001.
The spiritual journey begins with an inner longing for God, who is grander than us, to satisfy an emptiness within. We may strike out on a search for God only to discover the wondrous truth that God is already searching for us; that our yearning for God is also God’s yearning for us.
Our journey to God is not something we achieve; instead, it is a response of love to God, who wants a love relationship with us that is real and personal. This relationship is a gift that we receive and a choice that we make. The Christian life is not only a journey to God, but a journey with God, within the embrace of God. It is a life lived out of the continual life-giving presence of Christ around us and within us.
Do you have a deep desire for intimacy with God? Have you experienced perplexing spiritual dilemmas and wanted to talk about it without fear of censorship or someone trying to fix you? Has God been at work in your life, but you didn’t recognize that it was God, or how God was leading? Have you been in a period of time where your prayers seem like the doldrums? Does your spiritual life seem dry and meaningless? Does your life seem incredibly busy and without meaning? Have you been away from God for a long time and are wondering how you can cultivate God’s presence in your life? Are you going through a time of major transition? Do those around you look to you for spiritual guidance, but you need a place to talk about your own spiritual concerns? If you find yourself responding positively to these questions, you would benefit greatly from spiritual direction.
I always begin a spiritual direction relationship with three sessions of discernment. We can then prayerfully discern if we are a good fit for that journey. I would love to explore that possibility with you.

Contact

Phone: 919-564-6061

Website: https://www.CompanionsAlongTheWay.com

Email:

Prefer Contact By: email or phone

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Pastors and church leaders

pastor's family

missionaries

students

elderly

married couples

military

terminally ill

business professionals

major transitions in life and work

Expertise in...

Individual spiritual direction

group spiritual direction

spiritual direction for clergy and lay leaders

life transitions

List of ESDA Spiritual Directors

Roseanne Elling

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Christina Elmajian

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Mary Kay Esswein

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Gem Fadling

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Alan Fadling

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Amanda Fessehazion

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Karen Fields

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Diane Fillmore

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Jill Fisk

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Christine Flower

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Sharon Forth

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Justin Fox

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Laura Francis-Thorp

About Me

Contact

Available For

Languages Spoken

Specialties

Deanna Frank