Once you’ve decided to look for a spiritual director, we suggest you begin your search here with our Spiritual Directors Network. It’s our vision, as a network of trained spiritual directors, to offer high quality, Christ-centered spiritual direction to any individual, group of individuals, or any church, ministry or non-profit organization that is looking to benefit from the absolute joys of receiving on-going spiritual direction. We personally know each of these directors listed here and highly recommend any of these wonderful men or women listed below.

Click on the spiritual director’s picture or name to contact them inquiring of your interest in spiritual direction. And be sure to tell them The Contemplative Activist sent you their way!

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. Here, pastors and church leaders are encouraged to slow down, re-evaluate their work in ministry, and become, what we call, Christ-centered 3-C contemplative activists for the greater glory of God. 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). Marty, and his wife Sandy, have served as co-trainers/teachers of spiritual direction with the Sustainable Faith Schools of Spiritual Direction since 2015. Drop Marty an email and chat about all Jesus is doing in your life right now! May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You!

 Sandy Boller – (Cedar Rapids) Sandy has over 20 years of experience in pastoral ministry, and she loves to help women find God in the middle of their everyday lives. She carries a deep passion for encouraging people to discover creative ways in being present to the One who is always present to us, finding their unique voice along the way. Sandy, and her husband Marty, have served as co-trainers/teachers of spiritual direction for Sustainable Faith Schools of Spiritual Direction since 2015. Drop Sandy an email if you’d like to discover more about spiritual direction.

 Sheri Daylong – (Marion) 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. A trained director in The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius, Sheri is available via in-person, phone, Facebook, Skype and Zoom.

William (Bill) Daylong – (Marion) 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 and is a trained director in The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius.

 Ann Donat – (Sumner) For 27 years Ann taught special education focusing mainly on students with severe to profound disabilities. Upon turning 50, Ann responded to a call to pastoral ministry within the United Methodist Church, attended Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa and currently serves a three-point charge in NE Iowa. Ann is available for direction by appointment and looks forward to walking alongside those who wish to deepen their relationship with God. She received her two-year certificate in spiritual direction from Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction, and is available for direction via in-person, or other on-line communications.

Rod Dugan – (Cedar Rapids) Rod’s focus is to come alongside worship leaders, musicians, and other artists, helping them to more clearly hear the melodies of God woven throughout their lives, see more clearly the portraiture of their true selves, and assist them to creatively participate with the in-breaking of God’s Kingdom around them. Rod received his two-year certificate in spiritual direction from Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction, and has training in the Enneagram.

Laurie Jensen – (Ames) 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. A trained director in The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius, Laurie is available for direction via in-person or Skype.

Leslie Leavenworth – (Des Moines) 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 and is a trained director in The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius.

 Dr. Lisa Van Allen– (Cedar Falls) 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), and is a trained director in The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius.