Grafted Life Ministries

Amanda Schiro

La Mirada, CA, United States

In spiritual direction, my desire is for people to have room to experience being seen, known, and understood as they navigate...

About Me

In spiritual direction, my desire is for people to have room to experience being seen, known, and understood as they navigate their relationship with God. I love being a part of this journey, joining others as they discover themselves and God more deeply, in whatever places they may be and with whatever complex thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that may hold. God’s loving presence with me has been significant in my own story, and I hope to reflect this with-ness in spiritual direction as I sit with another in exploring different parts of their story together and with God. I would be delighted to join you in these sacred spaces that come out of everyday life.

My training is as a certified spiritual director and I received my master’s in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Talbot School of Theology.

Contact

Email: AmandaRSchiro@gmail.com

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Expertise in...

dark night

grief and loss

somatic awareness

body-spirit connection

myers-briggs

enneagram

family systems awareness

creativity

spiritual practices

silence and solitude

rest

beauty engagement

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, 4 young grandsons and a retired hospice...

About Me

Hello, my name is Lynn. I am a wife, mother to 3 grown daughters, 4 young grandsons and a retired hospice nurse. One of my favorite joys is to create a space for another's story, and holding it with reverence, noticing the holy . 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 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 6 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 walking alongside you on your spiritual journey with God. My goal is to help you experience His loving...

About Me

I’m passionate about walking alongside you on your spiritual journey with God. My goal is to help you experience His loving presence, find rest in His wonderful peace, and hear His voice for your life.
In my over three decades of walking with God and church life, I’ve been blessed by love, discipleship, and comprehensive training for ministry. I graduated from the Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction in May 2022.
I’ve been happily married to my best friend, Amal, since 1991, and we have two adult children. Together, we love hosting friends, traveling, and walking along 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

Specialties

Works with...

My desire is to see God’s children set free and empowered to live the full life he promised.

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

Wendy Shuffett

Centralia, IL, United States

As a spiritual director, I enjoy prayerfully walking alongside others as we curiously look for and listen to God’s work in...

About Me

As a spiritual director, I enjoy prayerfully walking alongside others as we curiously look for and listen to God’s work in their everyday lives. I am an ordained minister and have been in pastoral work throughout my adult life, serving in a variety of areas, including women’s, youth, and children’s ministries. I have a heart for pastors and their families, missionaries, and other church leaders as well as those who are seeking new invitations from God in their daily lives. I also enjoy the academic world, having spent the past 25 years as a college instructor.

Currently, I am co-pastoring a church with my husband as well as working for a non-profit committed to restorative healing for trafficked individuals. In these spaces, I preach and lead in the church as well as have the privilege of offering spiritual direction to those seeking healing from trauma.
I have been married for 33 years, am a mom to four, and nana to four. I enjoy spending time with my family, the beauty of nature, and entertaining family and friends.
I completed my spiritual direction training with Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction.
I would love to journey with you as we seek to encounter Christ in the everyday movements of your life.

Contact

Email: wendyshuffett@gmail.com

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Specialties

Works with...

pastors

church leaders

missionaries

students

academics

Expertise in...

Ignatian spirituality

Enneagram

Lectio Divina

trauma or grief

IFS

Melissa Sievers

Colorado Springs, CO, United States

Melissa Sievers is a transformational coach and spiritual director dedicated to nurturing the care of souls. With a heart for the...

About Me

Melissa Sievers is a transformational coach and spiritual director dedicated to nurturing the care of souls. With a heart for the spiritually thoughtful, she creates safe spaces for others to experience slower rhythms and encounter the loving presence of the Trinity. She also loves guiding clients to discover their unique, God-given design, discern their next right steps, and live with clarity and confidence in their callings.

Passionate about helping individuals cultivate inner lives filled with peace, joy, and rest, Melissa finds deep fulfillment in companioning those seeking a more abundant life. Other key themes in her work include serving church and ministry leaders, supporting sabbaticals, pursuing discernment in vocational transitions, navigating burnout, and creating healthy life rhythms.

Melissa holds a degree in communications from Taylor University, a coaching certification from the Coaching Transformation Academy, and a certificate in spiritual direction from Denver Seminary. Melissa partners with Soul Care and LifePoint Resources to offer spiritual direction, transformational coaching, and sabbatical support.

Contact

Website: https://www.lifepointresources.org/direction

Email: melissa.sievers.coach@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 and ministry leaders

other soul care providers

spiritual directors

leaders headed towards burnout

women

Expertise in...

life transitions

vocation

discernment

spiritual practices

lectio divina

examen

sabbatical support

navigating burnout

soul care

transformational coaching

life and leadership coaching

sabbatical coaching

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

myers-briggs

Ben Simpson

Waco, TX, United States

With St. Augustine, I believe God made us for communion and relationship with God, and that our hearts are restless until...

About Me

With St. Augustine, I believe God made us for communion and relationship with God, and that our hearts are restless until they find their rest in God. I also believe we, as human beings, often fail to notice the God who is there. God is always working, always active, and very near. Spiritual direction helps us to better discern and identify where, how, and what God is up to in the everyday, common occurrences of our lives.

God has led me to serve as a spiritual director in order to help others listen to God, listen to themselves, and grow close to God as friends of Jesus Christ. In direction, I create space for prayer, silence, and conversation. I try to listen with God's ear and speak only as the Spirit leads, often with questions, sometimes with observations. I commit to pray with directees during our conversations, and also in between meetings.

I am an ordained Baptist minister and have served in church leadership positions in children’s, youth, and college ministry. I serve as Associate Director of Spiritual Formation at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, working with students in our Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Direction Training Programs.

I am a graduate of Baylor University (BA – Religion, ’02), Dallas Theological Seminary (MA – Christian Education, ’05), and The University of Kansas (MA – Religious Studies, ’11). In ’15 I completed course of study for a Certification in Spiritual Direction at Perkins School of Theology, SMU. I enjoy conversation, sports, and time with friends. I'm a writer. I also like to draw.

Contact

Website: www.benjaminasimpson.com

Email: bas@benjaminasimpson.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...

Students

Pastors

Church Leaders

Youth

Young Adults

Emerging Adults

Expertise in...

Spiritual Formation

Pastoral Leadership

Praying the Scriptures

Spiritual Disciplines

Sheli Sloterbeek

Waymart, PA, United States

It is my passion to offer space and quiet for anyone who is discovering what is looks like to live into...

About Me

It is my passion to offer space and quiet for anyone who is discovering what is looks like to live into wholeness with God.
What I love to say in a first meeting with someone is that spiritual direction/companioning looks different for each person I meet with - and that's just one of the things I love about it!

I stumbled across Spiritual Direction in a years long journey to figure out what I wanted to be when I "grew up" and and as I explored spiritual direction training I discerned it was exactly what I was created to do at this moment in my life. My passion is for the “whole” person – spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically – to be alive and live fully.

I am a mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, spiritual director, retreat leader and most especially, beloved child of God. I am honored to be a companion of others as they discover God in their everyday life through the ministry of spiritual direction, either one-on-one, in a group, or making space through workshops and retreats. My life work has been working with the vulnerable locally and globally, and I have an intense understanding of cross cultural experiences as well as justice advocacy.

I also have been discovering art in its many forms in spiritual direction in my own life as well as extending that love to others. Everything from poetry to photography to painting has been pouring out of my own soul and into the lives of others I'm journeying with. Living slowly, practicing presence and noticing the movement of God in all of life is how I live and I open up the invitation to you.

Contact

Phone: 4803263088

Website: www.aslowjourney.com

Email: ssloterbeek@gmail.com

Prefer Contact By: Any way you'd like!

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

pastors

church leaders

church staff spouses

non-profit leaders & staff

missionaries

students

artists

advocates

justice advocates

anyone longing for God

Expertise in...

Lectio Divina

Visio Divina

Art in Spiritual Direction

contemplative living

living wholly

Music

Creativity

cross-culture experiences

enneagram coach

rule of life

Samantha Smidt

Issaquah, WA, United States

I hold a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from the Institute of Spiritual Formation...

About Me

I hold a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from the Institute of Spiritual Formation at Biola University. During the week I work part-time as a Bookkeeper and HR Administrator for an accounting firm when I am not chasing around my two little ones. I along with my husband, two kids, and tiny pup currently live in Issaquah, WA where we enjoy being out in God's creation, spending time with our church family, and navigating the challenges of raising young kids.

I am passionate about walking with people as they grow to understand their stories and how God is working in their lives. My desire is to see people experience God's love and freedom in the fullness of who they were created to be.

Contact

Phone: 760-703-5716

Email: samantha.l.smidt@gmail.com

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...

youth

college students

and adults

Expertise in...

women's spirituality

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