Are you looking for more vibrancy and freedom in your walk with God?  

Many Christians are discovering for themselves the transforming power of God’s Spirit as they journey through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Birthed in the 1500’s by a simple Christ-follower, Ignatius of Loyola, the Exercises have long been used by the Jesuits in aiding those who desire a deeper walk with Christ. In recent years, more and more Protestants are experiencing this greater freedom in their faith as they join with a spiritual director trained in walking you through Exercises over a nine-month period of time.

 Click here for more info on what The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius can offer you!

 Our good friend, Larry Warner, long-time spiritual director and author of the excellent resource guide for the Exercises, Journey With Jesus: Discovering the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius, is now working alongside The Contemplative Activist, training up Christ-centered Spiritual Directors who are well-equipped in leading you through the Exercises.

Below is a list of well-trained, Christ-centered Spiritual Directors who are ready and willing to come alongside you as you prepare yourself for the Spiritual Exercises.

COLORADO

 Kim Nielsen – Kim offers individual spiritual direction by FaceTime, Skype, phone or in person. Kim has a Master’s Specialization in Spiritual Transformation from Northern Seminary and the Transforming Center. She received her two-year certificate in spiritual direction from Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction. She is also a trained companion for the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, through Sustainable Faith. Kim is a Certified ©iEnneagram Motions of the Soul Practitioner.

IDAHO

 Richard (Dick) Green, D.Min. –  Richard is a retired PCUSA Presbyterian minister,  who has moved out of pastoral ministry so he could devote more time and energy to the current passions in his life: spiritual formation, spiritual direction, and supervision of spiritual directors.  To prepare for this phase in his life and ministry Richard completed a two-year certificate program in Spiritual Formation and Direction from CFDM, and in 2016, a certificate in the Supervision of Spiritual Directors.  Richard is a member of ESDA and SDI.  Richard’s mission is to support others in finding the next step on their spiritual path by being a generous listening companion. You can find out more about Dick and his ministry by going to his web site at www.highdesertdirection.com.

ILLINOIS

 Jim Leonard – Jim has worked with Wycliffe Bible Translators as a translator and administrator for 30 years. After seeing a spiritual director regularly, he began experiencing a deepening sense of God’s loving presence in times of sitting alone with God in silence. This experience of Love has begun to flow over into his relationships with others, especially those nearest to him. Jim received his two-year certificate in spiritual direction from Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction, and is available for direction via in-person, Skype, Hangouts and Zoom. Check out some of Jim’s art created from handmade cattail leaf paper.

IOWA

Marty Boller – (Cedar Rapids) Marty has been actively involved in pastoral ministry for 30+ years and now serves the larger body of Christ through our popular blog and website: The Contemplative Activist. Marty’s passion is to come alongside pastors and church leaders, companioning them in the care of their soul as they juggle the heavy demands of ministry. Marty has served as a spiritual director to pastors, church planters and church leaders since 2015, and is also trained in The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius, the Enneagram, and trained in supervision of other Christ-centered directors (in groups or individually).

 Sheri Daylong – Sheri has accompanied people on the journey of life in the capacity of professional ministry for over forty years. Her purpose in life today is to provide space for all persons who are seeking to find deep peace and an authentic sense of being and life with purpose! Sheri has completed the 2-year Academy for Spiritual Formation, the 3-year Spiritual Direction Program at the Franciscan Spirituality Center in LaCrosse, WI, and is available via in-person, phone, Facebook, Skype and Zoom.

William (Bill) Daylong – Bill, a veteran of 42 years of pastoral ministry, has embraced his passion for ministry working alongside persons who seek through spiritual practices to open up to the God who has always been present in their lives. Bill integrates practices from his Native American and Celtic spiritual heritages to help seekers to slow down and attend to the slow work of God within them. Bill received his two-year certificate in spiritual direction from Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction.

Laurie Jensen – Laurie’s life’s passion…Christian spiritual growth in a context of a down-to-earth conversation and listening which is grounded in the Bible and in the realities of life as it is. She loves to listen, accompanying others as they explore the possibility of God’s present work in their lives. Laurie has a certificate in Spiritual Formation with Ruth Haley Barton and received her two-year certificate in spiritual direction from Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction. She is available for direction via in-person or Skype.

Leslie Leavenworth – Leslie is a practicing nurse, and visual artist. She believes there is both an art of healing and healing in art.  She offers a listening ear, an engaged spirit and an opportunity to explore together the rhythms and patterns of God’s working in the directee’s life. Leslie received her two-year certificate in spiritual direction from Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction.

 Dr. Lisa Van Allen– Lisa has a certificate in spiritual direction from Mercy Center/Burlingame, CA (1996). The program helped heal the wounds of a broken marriage and a toxic church environment, while nurturing a contemplative faith and practice that supports Lisa through all of life’s challenges, including chronic pain. As a clinical psychologist and a certified executive business coach, Lisa supports people and organizations through painful transitions and in developing what she calls a Sabbatical Lifestyle. Lisa received an additional two-year certificate in spiritual direction from Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction (2018).

MINNESOTA

 Judith Ritchie– After nearly 30 years as a congregational pastor, Judith’s calling now is to come alongside pastors and ministry leaders to help them thrive in ministry. Too often in ministry we care for everyone else’s soul and neglect our own. Judith has been a spiritual director with certification for 20 years. As a member of ESDA, she also has training in Ignatian spirituality, Enneagram, MBTI, and prayer. She loves helping ministry folks hear again Jesus’ words, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Judith meets with people in person, by phone or by Skype.

KANSAS/MISSOURI

Jennie Altstadt – Jennie loves to help create a grace-filled window of time for women to experience the Holy Spirit and connect the dots of God’s working in their lives in ways they may not otherwise see. She received her two-year certificate in spiritual direction from Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction. Jennie is a member of ESDA and is available for direction via in-person or Skype.

Karen Bartlett – Through her years of ministry, Karen recognized a need to create space for people to hear God’s voice as they expressed doubts, concerns, or a longing for a deeper spiritual life. Her Masters degree in social work and Masters certificate in theology helps her understand spiritual formation and personal development as part of a holistic approach to faith and life. Karen received her two-year certificate in spiritual direction from Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction.

Chandelle Claassen – Chandelle offers spiritual direction as a listening ministry where she protects and holds open space for people to explore interior movements or feelings as they interact with God in a conversational relationship. She is also a certified life coach, working with individuals in the areas of leadership and soul care. Chandelle is available for retreats and speaking on spiritual formation and soul care rhythms. She received her two-year certificate in spiritual direction from Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction.

Sarah Cook – Sarah is passionate about coming alongside others as they journey with Jesus, and making space for them to see God’s presence in their own lives, whether on the mountaintop or in the valley.  Her desire is to create a safe atmosphere where others can slow down from the busy pace of life and have protected time to be present to the Lord.  Sarah is a graduate of Vineyard Leadership Institute and has a B.A. in Art History.  She received her two-year certificate in spiritual direction from Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction. Sarah is a member of ESDA and is available for direction via in-person, Skype, Zoom, or Face-Time.

 Barb Toft – (Overland Park) Barb’s desire as a director is to hold a space for women where they can rest in the love of their heavenly Father as they grow in their relationship with Him. She also offers bi-annual spiritual weekend retreats where women can unplug from the busyness of their lives and connect with the one who calls them, “Beloved Daughter.” Barb received her two-year certificate in spiritual direction from Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction and is a member of ESDA. A trained director in The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius, Barb is available for direction in person and via Facetime and Skype.

Jenny Wall – Jenny has developed an appreciation for a person’s spiritual journey through experiencing many highs and lows in her own life.  With over 30 years’ experience as a church lay leader and staff member, she felt called to gain tools for supporting others who are looking for a safe place to explore their questions about God in the midst of their life’s experiences. Jenny obtained her Masters of Arts Degree in Christian Ministries and Spiritual Formation from Friends University, Wichita, Kansas in 2014 after studying at the Larry Crabb School of Spiritual Direction in 2010. She is a member of the Evangelical Spiritual Director’s Association (ESDA) and considers it an honor to be available for direction in person or through technology such as Skype.

TEXAS

 Jan Hassler – Jan has a passion for journeying with others in a personal way as they discover their life stories, seeking to hear and know God better and respond to His leading in their sacred and ordinary moments of life. She has job experience in various social work capacities and is a trained Spiritual Director. She delights in accompanying others on their journey with Christ, whether in a Spiritual Direction capacity or as she guides others through The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. She and her husband of 35 years are church planters in San Antonio, Texas where she provides soul care retreat experiences for her church and others. She is available to meet personally, or by telephone or Skype.

GREAT BRITAIN

 Stefan Smart – Stefan received his Certificate in Christian Spirituality and Spiritual Direction from the Diocese of Portsmouth in the UK. He is also a trained life coach. He has offered spiritual direction for fourteen years and has recently completed Larry Warner’s course in leading others through ‘Journey with Jesus’. Stefan has found this to be an invaluable tool in helping others to deepen their faith and find God in the ordinariness of life. Stefan lives in Southampton, England, and is available for direction in person or via FaceTime or phone.

---

FYI: Please note that while many of the directors listed here have been trained in spiritual direction through Sustainable Faith cohorts, our Journey With Jesus Network is not associated with Sustainable Faith Schools of Spiritual Direction.