Individual Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction is a beautiful ministry of soul care where someone trained in the art of contemplative listening holds space for you to be with God & asks reflective questions to help you explore where God is with you & how you are responding. It is important that in any spiritual direction relationship there be a mutual sense of open, honest & clear communication & a reverence for the unique way God is working in your life. Below you will find spiritual directors who have been trained & certified through PAX. If you are looking for a spiritual director, you are welcome to contact them directly to enquire about their availability & fees.
Please notice that we have directors who range across a wide spectrum of seasons & stages of life & across different denominations within the Christian tradition. With that said, please be sure to ask the questions important for you in seeking a director. If you would like help discerning who may be a good fit for your needs, please reach out to us at contactpaxcenter@gmail.com.
Here at PAX, we are disciples of Jesus Christ. It is our joy to see people falling deeper in love with the God who first loves us faithfully & unconditionally.
-
I'm a mother-artist, writer, & spiritual director on the South Shore of Boston. My approach to spiritual companionship is shaped by gentleness & curiosity. Sessions are safe, open spaces to reflect, wonder, & ask questions related to your unique experience of faith. I prayerfully listen alongside of you to help you discern the voice of God, as you hear it. I have experience supporting folks healing from purity culture, fundamentalist religion, & domestic violence. I also enjoy companioning women studying in seminary, serving in ministry or missions work, as well as those in seasons of discernment, de/reconstruction, or mothering. I have a Master of Arts in Religion as well as a certificate of Spiritual Direction from PAX Center for Christian Spiritual Formation. A free introductory conversation is 30-minutes over Zoom. Following sessions are 45-60 minutes & operate on a sliding scale.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & on the South Shore of Boston
Contact: sojourn.sf@gmail.com
-
Christine received her Certificate in Spiritual Direction from PAX in 2019. She is currently an apprentice at Life Work Direction, a ministry that blends spiritual direction with vocational guidance. As a spiritual director, she delights in seeing people experience deeper awareness of God's love & greater freedom in Christ. She enjoys playing badminton, discovering delicious gluten-free food, & spending time outdoors with friends.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom
Contact: tan.singyee@gmail.com
-
Practicing spiritual direction is one of the joys of my life. It is an honor to hold space for others in ways that allow their life with God to unfold. God, through the Prophet Jeremiah, reminds us, ““I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself.” (Jeremiah 31:3, NLT). My desire in practicing spiritual direction is to be a presence & listening ear that creates the space for others to attentively discern & respond to the drawing of God’s love in our lives. Other ways that I get to be with Jesus & people is as husband to a wonderful wife, a dad to two growing boys, & as the Lead Pastor at Faith Fellowship Church in Uxbridge, MA. My training includes a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Zion Bible College, a Masters of Divinity from Ashland Theological Seminary with a concentration in Spiritual Formation, & a two-year Certificate in Spiritual Direction through PAX. Other joys include reading, sitting around a campfire, vacationing with family in the mountains of Vermont, enjoying creation while hiking & kayaking, & building Legos with my boys.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & In Worcester County, MA
Contact: jknight@faith4square.org
-
Tina Lu received her certificate in Spiritual Direction through PAX in 2017 & has been practicing as a Resident Spiritual Director at Central Square Church ever since. She loves the quiet & life-giving connections that take place when director & directee alike slow down to pay attention to Jesus's voice.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom
Contact: tina.ht.lu@gmail.com
-
I received my certificate in Spiritual Direction from PAX in June 2020. With two parents who are spiritual directors, this ministry has been a huge part of my life since a young age. In order to know & love God, we must have places where we can experience God’s love for us. I believe that spiritual direction is one of these places. In my own life, spiritual direction has been a place to feel truly seen by God & let my guard down. I am passionate about bringing all of who we are into our conversations with God & knowing that we will be received. I am open & willing to listen to whomever desires a space to be with God, but especially enjoy listening & supporting those in ministry, college & graduate students, & folks in seasons of transition. When I am not working with PAX, you can find me meeting with clients as a therapist, outside with my daughter, deep into a book, or eating good food with my husband.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom
Contact: ielapaxcenter@gmail.com
-
Kate lives with her husband on a small pond in Moultonborough, NH. The time she spends with God’s creation is an important part of her church experience. She finds nothing as interesting as talking with people about who God is & might become in their lives. A published author & retired writing teacher, Kate now co-leads spiritual workshops called, “A Joyful Gathering.” The program includes creating with watercolor & ink pen; writing poetry & prayers; & learning contemplative practices to welcome God’s holy presence. Kate finds great joy in life; she is also able to enter into the places of grief & sorrow we all face at some time in our lives. She considers this work in spiritual companionship to be some of the most meaningful she has experienced in her life. She is honored to spend time with people of all ages, seeking God’s presence. Kate loves to tromp around in the woods, grow gardens from seeds, make art, & cook & bake for tables full of friends & family, especially when the grandchildren are visiting. | ajoyfulgathering.net
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & In Central NH
Contact: kateyoungnh@gmail.com
-
As a directee myself for over 10 years, spiritual direction has been an incredible grace & blessing in my life. It is a space of authenticity to freely be your true self. And a space to process all the questions, doubts, struggles, & hopes that you hold in your heart. I deeply value this ministry & the honor to walk alongside others on their journey. My hope is to create a safe, warm, & welcoming space to listen together for the voice & heart of God. Living in Southern California, I love spending time with my family outdoors, by the ocean, & traveling to new places. I also enjoy reading, taking walks, & eating delicious burritos.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & In Orange County, CA
Contact: RemaChengSD@gmail.com or remacheng.com
-
Jen is a graduate of PAX’s 2020 TL2 cohort based in Fall River, MA. Her approach to spiritual direction is about making contemplative space where you can honor the deepest parts of yourself, process change, & notice where God is already moving in your life. She especially enjoys working with artists/creators, college to early career stage of life, & folks who are going through a significant shift in their faith & need a safe place to process. She is committed to building an inclusive, trauma-conscious practice, & offers a sliding scale of fees for greater accessibility. Reach out by email to set up an initial meeting!
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom
Contact: hello@jenroseyokel.com
-
I have always loved the ministry of the church. From a youth to an adult, I have always made a priority to be involved in the ministry of the church. I am from South Carolina & received a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education from Clemson University. After graduating, I got married to an engineer, who then decided to be a pastor, we moved to MA so he could attend Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. There we continued to learn what it means for the ministry of the church to be a vocation (for my husband.) I experienced spiritual direction for the first time while he was in seminary & have always wanted to have the opportunity to share this gift with others. I completed my Certificate of Spiritual Direction in the summer of 2022. I am excited to be able to invite others on this journey of spiritual direction. I have 2 wild boys & we enjoy mountain biking and hiking together. We are also licensed foster parents. I love reading, coffee, & being outside!
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & in Greensboro, NC Area
Contact: marsh603@gmail.com
-
I am a New England "newbie," a wife, a mom of two boys, & a nurse. As a nurse I have worked in hospice, labor & delivery, & public health. I think that witnessing peoples' defining moments of their lives led me to spiritual direction where I get to accompany people as a friend & companion on the spiritual journey of life. I think it is a true privilege to do this work. I love the silence & the space of the outdoors & am deeply moved by stories of Christianity from the margins.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & In Middlesex County, MA
Contact: arowemacadam@gmail.com
-
Lisa is a storyteller, mobilizer, & lover of humanity with a deep heart to elevate & empower others to become fellow wounded healers in the journey of life with God.
Lisa graduated with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary & holds her certificate in Spiritual Direction from PAX.
Today, she is a certified Spiritual Director, Professional Life Coach, & Mental Health/Wellness Coach. Visit her website at LisaXiaremba.com to connect with her & set up meetings.
Lisa enjoys guest preaching in the Boston community & currently serves as a ministry coordinator, leader, & preaching team member at Central Square Church. She frequently integrates spiritual formation practices across her coaching & ministry work.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & in Greater Boston Area
Contact: thesoulsspot@gmail.com OR info@lisaxiaremba.com
-
This is the most profound truth of life: our triune God chooses you, loves you more than you can possibly imagine, & longs to have an intimate relationship with you. This is the gift of spiritual direction that I love to share: as a director I accompany you (the directee) on your journey with God by reminding you to return to what you already know is true, & by helping you discover new ways of looking at God’s love that bring you greater intimacy with the lover of your soul. God, of course, is the real director; it is my privilege to walk with you & help you discern the next step, as God draws you ever closer & lovingly holds onto you. I wear many hats in order to share my love for the gospel of Jesus: spiritual director, coach, disciplemaker, church Elder, educator, church musician, author, & presenter. I've earned certifications in Spiritual Formation & Spiritual Direction, & coaching certifications in the Enneagram, Strategic Intervention, parenting, life, & mindset. My family loves skiing, hiking, & being on the water. Please look for my forthcoming book, Inside Out; Experiencing New Life in Christ Through Integrated Discipleship.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & In Maine
Contact: Debbie@DeborahCOwen.com
-
Matt is a pastor & spiritual director from Southern New Hampshire, & has served in pastoral ministry for over 15 years in New England. Matt spent a decade as an Executive Pastor before he took a Celtic pilgrimage that changed the course of his ministry life & began pursuing a more contemplative walk with God. Matt now serves in a diverse congregation in downtown Nashua NH, blending missional & contemplative practices. Matt’s heart is for people & he loves to help them walk with God in an honest & compassionate way, for the sake of transformation.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & In Greater Nashua, NH Area
Contact: matthewjbeattie@gmail.com | 978-255-7226
-
After many years serving on the prayer teams & as a Women’s minister in various churches, I completed a two-year Spiritual Direction training through the PAX Center for Spiritual Formation. Recently I completed my Masters in Spiritual Direction from Merrimack College. I thoroughly enjoy walking alongside men & women who want to go further in their walk with God. My desire is to provide others with a safe space to listen to their hearts’ desires, hear from the Holy Spirit & grow in their spiritual formation.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & In Middlesex County, MA
Contact: kgundersen@comcast.net
-
I first encountered spiritual direction & contemplative spiritual practices when I joined the Highrock Guides, a spiritual listening ministry at Highrock church, in 2012. In that ministry, I began learning how to be a spiritual companion to others by listening to their stories & helping them notice & respond to God. After serving as a Guide for six years, I felt called to go deeper by becoming a Spiritual Director. I completed PAX’s TL1 & TL2 programs in 2019. I value creating a restful space that is open for exploring & questioning where God is in the everyday rhythms of life. I’ve also grown to appreciate how incorporating stillness & silence can help us be more present to the Holy Spirit. I am married with one daughter & live in MA. I enjoy cooking, traveling & photography.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom
Contact: richard.s.yan@gmail.com
-
Mary is a lover of Jesus, nature, & movement as well as a mother of two vibrant young kiddos. She has a passion for coming alongside women of all ages. She enjoys spending intentional & prayerful time with others as they tune in to how God is moving in their lives. Mary desires to offer a safe space where others can show up authentically & speak freely, without fear of judgement, & receive God's grace & love for them.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & In Middlesex County, MA
Contact: mrm1179@gmail.com
-
Andrea is a graduate of the Spiritual Direction Certification Program through PAX & you may also know her as the Program Facilitator for Transformational Listening: Soul Care Companion. Her focus in Spiritual Direction is to offer the directee a space to be intentional & expectant with God. Knowing that God is with us, Andrea offers a reflective atmosphere to share, connect, & hear from God. She thoroughly enjoys listening & reminding others of God’s goodness for them. Andrea lives in MA with her husband & three children. As a lover of books, you will always find a novel in her midst. The ocean gives her life & her posture is often spent looking towards the sun.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & in Middlesex County, MA
Contact: andreapaxcenter@gmail.com
-
Jill received her Certificate in Spiritual Direction from PAX in 2019, & serves as a Resident Spiritual Director at Central Square Church in Cambridge, MA. She is drawn to spiritual direction as a space to notice God's presence & design infused in the everyday living of our lives. Jill is particularly interested in how God journeys with us through ethnic identity, vocational calling, & family life. Jill practiced as an immigration attorney for many years, & is currently a career advisor to law students at Boston College Law School. She also has been witness to God's kindness & all-consuming love as an adoptive mom to a special needs child. She enjoys beach days & movie nights with her husband & three children.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & in the Boston Area
Contact: jill.hwang@bc.edu
-
I dove into Christian spiritual formation while I ministered with my husband at a church in Vermont for 14 years. Having served in the church & been in many Bible studies, it took the pressures of ministry partnership to really make me notice & feel the need to encounter God in new ways. With the help of gifted spiritual directors, among others, I learned how to listen to & for God, & to let God heal & direct me. This is why I feel so drawn to giving spiritual direction & leading people in contemplative ways – so they can also experience the transformative power of God, as he leads. I received my Master’s degree in Spiritual Formation & Leadership from Spring Arbor University & my Certificate in Spiritual Direction from PAX. I have also received training in the Enneagram (through PAX), in inner healing prayer, & in the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius (at Boston College). In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband, my three adult children, & friends old & new. I like to be active, especially outside in nature, & to travel & explore places.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & in Middlesex County, MA
Contact: somanyhats@gmail.com
-
Raised in Ohio, with monthly visits to an Amish farm, his father’s family has Quaker roots, & Aaron was brought up Lutheran. Through his young adulthood, he explored many traditions—Zen, Sufism, Reconstructionist Judaism, Wicca, & Western Esotericism’s dark alleys—which have led him to the conviction that our unfolding relationship to God is the heart of our journey in the midst of the abstractions we may use to describe it. For Aaron, Spiritual Direction grows in experiencing Divine frontiers within ourselves & our lives. For ‘quiet in the storm,’ he finds meditation indispensable. Given these experiences, Aaron & his wife find a home in the Episcopal Church, cherishing the rich liturgy, commitment to social justice, references to Oxford’s ‘Inklings,’ incarnational theology, & beautiful music. In higher education since 2002, Aaron was previously a psychotherapist in community & private practice in Seattle for 10 years, achieving LGBT-specialist status. Aaron completed Spiritual Direction certification from PAX in June, 2022. Aaron offers Spiritual & Mindful Accompaniment at no additional charge to Northeastern University’s faculty, staff, & students. He is a member of the Bethany House of Prayer community in Arlington, MA. Aaron B. Daniels, PhD: Associate Teaching Professor, Psychology, Northeastern University; Mindfulness Fellow & Training Mentor, NU’s CSDS; & Research Fellow, Psychology & the Other, Boston College. Learn more about Aaron’s degrees, publications, & awards: https://aarondaniels.academia.edu/
Currently Aaron only offers spiritual direction to those connected with Northeastern University.
Contact: a.daniels@northeastern.edu | https://aarondaniels.academia.edu/
-
I’m thrilled to have participated in the TL1 & TL2 programs with PAX & to be able to serve as a Spiritual Director. As someone who grew up in a missionary home & has had the great joy of having lived in 5 countries (so far!), God continues to instill a love for His peoples’ unique lived faith experiences around the globe. God has created each one uniquely & each has a distinct way of relating to their Creator, Heavenly Father, Mother, & Friend. I believe that Spiritual Direction is a key part of worship & a life of faith (it has definitely been so for me). It’s a joy to walk alongside another in their faith journey. I serve in a pastoral capacity in a local church context & I enjoy being able to serve God’s people by seeking to be His loving presence. God cares so deeply about His children & I get to be a part of displaying this truth through the church. Two hobbies of mine include reading & traveling. I’m also passionate about continuous education & cross-cultural learning.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & In Vancouver, BC, Canada
Contact: sharon.dhavale@gmail.com
-
I love Jesus. I love God’s written Word. I love so much of the Christian heritage that I was raised in. As I have matured I have sought to know Jesus more fully. God has used the practice of spiritual direction to open up doors that would have answers to questions that I didn’t even know I could ask about Him & me & us & His Word. I am learning just how much Jesus loves me. I have fallen even more in love with Him. As a spiritual director my desire is to walk alongside those who don’t know what questions to ask but are learning it’s ok to ask them. The truth of God’s Word & the riches of His Spirit blend to provide a place to call home, a place where we know we are loved unconditionally. My desire is to walk or sit alongside people as they take time out to quiet their heart, to learn to listen, & respond to the One who loves them so. I am certified through PAX. With a degree in Bible my background includes social work, counseling, travel consulting (!), & women’s ministries. I am available for both individual & group spiritual direction.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & In Nashua, NH Area
Contact: nancypatc@gmail.com
-
Steve Watson has been the senior pastor of Reservoir Church since July, 2013. Prior to that, Steve served as the principal of Watertown High School, as a middle- & high-school English teacher in the Boston Public Schools, & as a campus staff minister with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. The throughlines in Steve’s life & career have been teaching, coaching & mentoring, organizational & community development, & public healing & justice. In addition to his work at Reservoir, Steve has served on the Boards of Greater Boston Interfaith Organization & Samaritans. Steve has a B.A. in music from Brandeis University, a Masters in Education from UMASS-Boston, & is enrolled in the Doctorate in Ministry & Theology program at the Center for Open & Relational Theology. Some of Steve’s many life passions are the well being of his family, great writing, bike commuting, hiking, all manner of social justice, & the whole-hearted spiritual & emotional & relational well-being of men. Steve is a white, straight man but is experienced in the pastoral care & support of people of color & LGBTQ+ people as well.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & in Cambridge, MA
Contact: steve@reservoirchurch.org
-
I first began to learn about Spiritual Formation in 2009 in a two-year community led by author & leader Ruth Haley Barton. I’d spent years in full-time ministry at that point & was interested to learn a way of leading & living that didn’t lead to burn out or harm. I began implementing ideas from those retreats into my work & personal life & also learning to supervise with spiritual formation in mind. In 2014, I moved to New England to sit under the tutelage of a long-time spiritual formation leader while earning a theology degree & a certification in spiritual direction from PAX. I worked in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship’s Spiritual Formation & Prayer team in New England until 2021, leading retreats & pilgrimages. I continue as a spiritual director, as well as ministry as a National Scripture Engagement specialist with InterVarsity. I currently live in St. Andrews, Scotland, where I completed a master of letters in Biblical languages & literature at the university there. I’m now working with a ministry called Revive Europe as their Leader of Scripture Engagement. Doing almost anything with people I love is top of my list in bringing me joy. These days that looks like drinking coffee & being active in nature. looks like drinking coffee & being active in nature.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom
Contact: sherami.hinders@gmail.com
-
Heather Sheldon is a wife, mom & neighbor. She loves to bake. An avid reader, you will rarely find her without a book somewhere on her person. Heather has been ministering to people in a variety of ways since her early twenties: first helping college students integrate their life & faith, then mining the rich lessons of parenthood alongside other moms while as serving beside her husband, who pastors a small New England church. When Heather's children were little a mantra emerged that she still embraces today: If you want to make a masterpiece, you've got to be willing to make a mess. Heather received her training in Spiritual Direction from the Pax Center for Spiritual Formation & it is her delight to accompany those who are seeking to listen to & connect with the God who is closer than their very breath. She currently works for Life/Work Direction, a small organization in Jamaica Plain, MA, that offers spiritual companionship as well as a process for vocational discernment.
Contact: hspooner@gmail.com
-
As a wife, mom, sister & friend when I faced the limits of my understanding, resources & dreams, I learned to turn to the one person who I could lean into: Jesus. Like Simon Peter in John 6:68 I realized, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life…” Spiritual companionship is something I have practiced long before I became a spiritual director. Spiritual direction training in the different disciplines & practices expanded the ways I experience God speaking to me & others. As a 4 on the enneagram, Jesus continues to grow in me the capacity to companion others on their journey toward a closer relationship with the triune God. I am a wife & a mom to 2 college aged kids. We recently moved to San Francisco after having lived in the Boston area for 25 years. I enjoy walks in nature, cooking as a form of connection with others, & traveling with my family.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & In Northern, CA
Contact: e_westermark@msn.com | 617-5001-0359
-
I love to walk alongside others who are on a journey into deeper relationship with God, themselves & others. Our lives are full, rich, complicated, painful…sometimes season by season & other times all at once! In my work & relationships, I bring the wisdom & grace, heart & humor that I’ve gained on my own redemptive journey & in ministry with justice-involved youth & others in recovery from addiction. Since 2005, I have served as Communications Director for Straight Ahead Ministries, giving voice to the experience of youth in our juvenile justice system via website, podcast, social media & print. In 2019, after training with PAX, I also began practicing spiritual direction. Through it all, I love to laugh with my four children, share great meals, music, & stories with friends, throw another log on the fire & enjoy each beautiful day just a little longer.
Contact: bpicard@straightahead.org
-
Karen resides with her husband Curt in Hopkinton MA, where, besides spiritual direction, she currently works part time among the senior community at the Hopkinton Senior Center. She started her professional career as an aerospace engineer but soon realized she had a passion for community, relational work & ministry. Since leaving engineering, she has worked in a variety of roles including consultant, community bible study leader, softball coach, barista, mentor & end-of-life doula. Most recently, she spent a decade as Director of Student Ministry at Faith Community Church in Hopkinton, overseeing a large, vibrant ministry. Karen has a passion for seeing people build relational connections in her church, neighborhood, community, & among pastors through Barnabas Ministries, where she is on the board of directors. Her favorite things to do include laughing with her 4 grown daughters, playing with her awesome grandkids, walking, biking, jigsaw puzzling, reading, & traveling.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & In Middlesex County, MA
Contact: kcooprider@alum.mit.edu
-
Hey there, I’m Susan! My husband & I have two wonderful & rambunctious little boys. In the quiet moments I can find, I feel most connected with God while on the porch with a good cup of coffee & journal in hand. I enjoy walking alongside others & creating space in our busy lives for drawing awareness of God & His deep abiding love for us. Let’s meet via Zoom & take a deep breath together! Please feel free to email me with any questions.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom
Contact: susan.neubaum14@gmail.com
-
Hi there! My name is Kevin Ryan. I have been a member of Central Square Church (formerly Cambridge Community Fellowship Church) since 2009 where I oversee the small group ministry. I practice spiritual direction in East Watertown (accessible by the 71 & 73 buses) where I live with my wife & son. I am happy to make other arrangements on where to meet or to meet virtually. I’ve practiced Spiritual Direction since 2016 when I took PAX’s Transformation Listening course. I love learning how God is at work in other people's lives & coming alongside others while they engage with God. It makes God bigger & more real for me. As a white male in my mid 30s I love learning about the experience of others from all backgrounds & life stages. It makes my world bigger & more amazing. I would be honored to learn more about you & experience God together.
Currently Meeting: Over Zoom & In Middlesex County, MA
Contact: ryan.kev43@gmail.com
-
Having greatly benefited from the ministry of spiritual direction myself, I completed my Certificate in Spiritual Direction through PAX in 2025. My desire is to provide a safe space for others where they can process their relationship with God right in the middle of their present reality. In this sacred & quiet space I love to come alongside & deeply listen in the presence of the Holy Spirit for where God might be “showing up” & working in one of his beloved children’s lives. My training includes graduating from Emmaus Bible College, completing a two year Spiritual Formation Certificate from The Caritas Center & presently completing the Enneagram Certification through PAX. I have been married for 42 years, most of which we have served together in full time Christian ministry. We have four adult married children & my most recent greatest joy is that I am a “Nana” to my adorable grandkids. I love spending time in God’s beautiful creation, walking contemplatively & hiking. Other joys include reading good books with a steaming cup of coffee, talking & laughing with good friends, & going on traveling adventures with my husband.
Currently Meeting: In the Philadelphia area & via zoom
Contact: nnelson0813@gmail.com
-
Tina began her ministry career serving undergrads at Harvard College as an InterVarsity staff & Harvard Chaplain. After moving to the Bay Area, she has served seven different churches -- each one unique & full of beloved men & women who love the Lord. Tina is a certified spiritual director thru PAX Center for Christian Spiritual Formation & co-facilitates a PastoraLab cohort for women pastors thru Innovative Space for Asian American Christianity.
Currently Meeting: Online via Google Meet & in the Bay Area of CA
Contact: friendofrsf@gmail.com
-
Marissa is a jazz pianist, watercolor painter, quilter, photographer, former project engineer, & writer who received her Certificate in Spiritual Direction from PAX in 2023. At St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Renton, Washington, she plays piano/keyboards for worship, serves on the spiritual care team, & leads a support group for people experiencing life changes & transitions. Marissa loves being outdoors in God’s creation. She deeply listens & is committed to holding a safe, warm, welcoming, & inclusive space where you can be yourself & observe how God might be already moving in your life.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom
Contact: upliftedwings@gmail.com
-
Despite being in ministry for 35+ years, discovering the transformational practice of Spiritual Direction revealed greater depth, texture, & nuance in my relationships with God, others, & myself, bringing with it a more patient, compassionate, & grace-filled view of the world. As a result, one of my greatest passions is walking alongside others who seek deeper relationship with the One who loves them most, bearing witness to God’s amazing love & grace in their lives.
I received my Certificate in Spiritual Direction & Enneagram Training for Spiritual Directors through PAX, my Master Christian Life Coach Certification through the American Association of Christian Counselors, & I am currently obtaining my Masters in Strategic Leadership through Life Pacific University, in San Dimas, CA.
In my free time I love to hike, garden, travel, read, & enjoy great conversations. I have been married for almost 40 years to the amazing Pastor Stan, & have two grown children, two amazing daughter-in-loves, & four seriously cute & fun g-babies.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & in the Charlotte, NC Area
Contact: wilsonccnc@gmail.com
-
It took me years to grow in the realization that God truly loves & accepts me - exactly as I am - in all of my light & especially in the darkness of shame & shadows - & that realization was greatly indebted to the ministry of Spiritual Direction. After benefiting so much myself, I knew that this was indeed a ministry that I wanted to offer others. I completed my Spiritual Direction training with Pax Center for Christian Spiritual Formation in June of 2023. I have also been trained under Imago Dei Ministries in Inner Healing & Spiritual Integration. I believe that before anything - love comes first. And I consider it an absolute honor to walk along side others in that love - journeying through those tough & hard to reach spaces - towards a deeper & fuller relationship with God. In my spare time when I am not singing along to Yacht Rock at inappropriate volumes, I am spending time with my husband & eight year-old son in gratitude - taking advantage of every opportunity I can get to love them better.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom
Contact: siftingthesoil.com or siftingthesoil@gmail.com
-
I live in Providence, RI I where I spend my time baking, crocheting, wandering, & being in the presence of dear friends. I work for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship on the local college campuses, & I deeply enjoy getting to walk with young people as they’re learning how to follow Jesus as adults!
It is truly my greatest honor to be invited in as a companion on one’s journey with Jesus through the vulnerable space of spiritual direction. What a gift to behold! Henri Nouwen calls this kind of ministry a “compassionate being-with,” & that is my hope as a spiritual director - to be with you as a companion as you come into deeper awareness of God in your life & who He is uniquely to you. I’m happy to meet with anyone who seeks spiritual direction, but especially enjoy connecting with college students, young adults, & those working in ministry.
Currently Meeting: via Zoom
Contact: taylor.brenchak@gmail.com
-
Kate believes it is deeply important for everyone to feel heard & seen. She hopes to create space to walk alongside others in their journey after the heart of God, through the possible reconstruction of their faith or simply to help create space for rest, prayer & listening for the voice of God in their lives.
She loves to play, be with her husband, three kids & two dogs, dance to Bruno Mars, & loves to feel the flow of God in her life through writing.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom
Contact: KateAnnKing@gmail.com
-
I love cultivating a safe space for others to become curious about themselves & Divine Love & to notice together how Divine Love has formed them & is moving around, within, & through them. Holding the difficult, confusing, & delightful aspects of others' lives with them is a sacred honor. I am tender toward those who grew up feeling unseen or marginalized & for those detangling their faith. I’ve had the privilege of soul-companioning individuals from varied backgrounds & ages. I have offered discipleship counseling, coaching, & spiritual direction for twenty years & have a fresh excitement for spiritual direction. This excitement was further fueled by my recent completion of the rigorous PAX Spiritual Direction Training, a program that has deepened my understanding & practice of spiritual guidance.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom in Charlotte, NC
Contact: anjtle@gmail.com or visit www.truelifeexchange.com
-
Rev. Dr. Linda Leon lives in NE Ohio. She’s a PAX-certified spiritual director & long-time campus minister. Her story includes the loss of multiple loved ones, unexpected divorce, & church hurt. Through it all, she has tangibly experienced that God still overcomes darkness with light, extends love without end, & gives hope for everyday living. Linda seeks to deeply listen & compassionately encourage others in their relationship with Christ. This can look like guiding others to listen to the Spirit, processing everyday life & faith, or teaching Christian spiritual practices to understand God & self. All are welcome to a conversation in person or online! Linda particularly enjoys working alongside young adults, people who are separated/divorced, & Christian leaders experiencing doubt or burnout. Linda is a life-long learner, outdoor adventurer, & wannabe movie critic. Give her some free time & she’ll be gardening, kayaking, reading, or hanging out with her rescue dog Kona.
Contact: www.flourish-ministries.com
-
Camping in the spring of 2021, I heard the whisper, “We all need to be heard.” Soon after, I read about the ministry of spiritual direction, & with an embodied sense of excitement, I enrolled at PAX. I am a wife, mother, musician, dog, & nature lover who cries easily, laughs easily, & seeks to receive God’s love & grace as a pure gift. I cherish the opportunity to hear others in spiritual direction where we seek not to fix or control ourselves but to find spiritual freedom & flow in our everyday lives. All are welcome.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & Knoxville, TN
Contact: carriekahlhardy@gmail.com
-
Meeting with a spiritual director became a life-giving practice for my journey while I was studying at Gordon-Conwell. After years of working as a campus minister & then experiencing ministry burnout, the Lord led me to pursue a certificate in Spiritual Direction & I currently serve the staff of Intervarsity's New England region. It is a privilege to accompany people as they attend to their life with God, Christ's work, & the Holy Spirit's leading & often experience newfound freedom, joy, & peace. A few areas that I am passionate about include emotional/mental health, preventing ministry burnout, & being part of a global, diverse Church. I have a special place in my heart for those in vocational ministry & cross-cultural workers. When I am not working with IV or offering spiritual direction, I am often spending time outdoors, playing soccer, singing, reading, or spending time with my community.
Currently Meeting & Available to Lead Retreats: Virtually & in Arlington, MA
Contact: elizabeth.lelievre@intervarsity.org
-
As both an artist & a spiritual director, I believe deeply in creating beauty that cares for the soul. My deepest desire as a spiritual director is to create a space for you that is safe, warm, & welcoming; where you are able to encounter God's love, tenderness, & gentleness in whatever way He has for you that particular day. It is my joy & honor to hold space for you as we walk through the seasons of your life together.
I have my Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation from Gordon-Conwell, & my certification in Spiritual Direction through PAX. I live in Beverly, MA with my husband, where we will soon be welcoming our first little one into the world! I love reading, painting, & chasing the sunbeams around my house, & would love to meet with you online or in person in my sunny, peaceful studio.
Currently Meeting: Online & in Beverly, MA
Contact: shaunakurihara@gmail.com or shaunakurihara.com
-
Caroline is a PAX-certified Spiritual Director who finds grace in holding space for others. Her recent work as a postpartum doula was the stepping stone to the ability to listen to others & create a space for them to feel grounded in confidence. Having worked through traumatic grief, Caroline finds comfort in sharing with others who are experiencing loss & holding that emotion where God is present to move through grief towards joy. She celebrates the gifts from the spirit & welcoming others to see the gifts they have been given. Caroline finds comfort in her rhythm of life which includes spending time walking in the woods, curling up for cozy reading time, or porch time with family & friends.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & in Northern NJ
Contact: cschestag@yahoo.com
-
I believe God answers our heartfelt prayers. My prayer started something like this. “Jesus, I’ve been walking with you for over 30 years, yet sometimes I feel like a stranger. I want to really know you.” Perhaps you have also felt that nudge within to draw closer to God, heart to heart. Or perhaps you feel alone in the wilderness & want someone to journey with you into a more abundant place.
If you desire to grow deeper in your relationship with God, I would be honored to journey with you in Spiritual Direction. We are all seekers, & I trust that God will meet you where you are in your desire to know Him more deeply.
I offer the space where you can be heard, encouraged, challenged, & affirmed that God indeed loves you & knows you by name.
I bring to Spiritual Direction 60+ years of life experience, training in Spiritual Direction from PAX, equipping in the School of Heart Healing prayer ministry through Elijah House Ministries, experience walking with those who are navigating divorce or other significant losses, & gratitude for the character-forming 12-step principles of recovery. Your seeking, questions, joys, & sorrows are welcome.
In my free time, I enjoy walking with my dog, reading on a quiet porch, gardening, enjoying a piece of good dark chocolate, kayaking, laughing & eating with friends, & helping people notice God's presence in their lives.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom with some availability in-person just north of Concord, NH.
Contact: tamim.listening@gmail.com
-
The first twenty years of my post-college life were spent as a bi-vocational pastor of a small Christian community & as a social studies educator in the Austin public schools. In 2000, I became the pastor of a very eclectic Christian community made up of Christians from many backgrounds located in the heart of Austin, Texas. It has been my joy to value & benefit from multiple expressions of the body of Christ throughout my Christian journey. During my twenty-two years of pastoring this diverse congregation, my passion was to engage in ministries that focused on deepening our relationship with God & experiencing His love & transforming power in our individual and communal lives. I have led 12-Step, Christian recovery groups, spiritual formation groups, & a variety of discipleship groups, including some that focus on emotional health. I left the pastorate in 2022 & a year later founded the non-profit, Ordinary Disciples. Ordinary Disciples supports believers in their life’s purpose & calling as they follow Jesus as His apprentices. We are pioneering Metanoia Groups, which combine the principles of recovery, discipleship, & spiritual formation in a small group format with Christians from a variety of church backgrounds. I also host the Ordinary Disciples podcast.
The works & teaching of Dallas Willard have profoundly impacted me & my walk with Christ. I am a certified pastoral counselor with a focus on family ministry. I completed the PAX Enneagram certification program in 2023 & the Spiritual Direction certification program in 2025. After almost five decades of Christian ministry, I am increasingly drawn to a life of contemplation & reflection.
I live in Austin with my lovely wife, Melinda, who is a communications consultant & actress. We have three grown children & a middle school son. My interests include singing, songwriting, playing the guitar, reading, writing, independent films, tennis, & an occasional round of golf with my son.
It would be my joy to walk with you as you grow in your awareness of God’s presence & work in your life.
Currently Meeting: In person in the Austin area & via Zoom.
Contact: keithatkinson6@gmail.com or https://ordinarydisciples.org/
-
As a spiritual director, Kerry comes alongside others to offer a hospitable presence as they seek to know & experience God. She desires to create a safe space for directees to show up authentically -- whether with laughter, tears, questions, groans, or desperate pleas. It's all welcome, for we come to know God in deeper ways as we allow ourselves to be known more deeply by others & by God. For Kerry, spiritual direction is the delightful work of bearing witness to how God is showing up for others & listening to how they are discerning God's invitations in all the seasons of their lives. Kerry's training includes a Master's in Spiritual Formation & Leadership (Spring Arbor University 2015) & completion of her Certificate in Christian Spiritual Direction (PAX 2025). She has been working at the intersection of leadership development & soul care in various church & faith-based nonprofit settings since 2011.
Kerry has been married to Bryan for going on 30 years, & together they have three adult daughters, two sons by marriage, & two of the most adorable grandchildren you'll ever meet. When she's not dinking on the pickleball court, she can be found reading (preferably outside &, when she's lucky, toes in the sand) or engaged in deep conversation with others, sipping an Americano with a splash of cream. She currently resides in the Harrisburg/Hershey region of Pennsylvania.
Currently meeting: Via Zoom or in person throughout South Central PA
Contact: kerry.hoke@integritasdev.com or at https://www.integritasdev.com/
-
Carrie received her certification in Christian Spiritual Direction from PAX in 2025 & is excited to begin a new season in her life. As her kids have begun to leave the nest, Carrie finds herself in a great place to celebrate what has come before & anticipate what will be in the future. Her desire in spiritual direction is to encourage others along on the adventure of life, fueled by joy & accompany them as part of God’s great desire to see people become whole & well. Carrie currently lives in Naugatuck, CT with her amazing husband & together they pastor a local church & serve in their community.
Currently Meeting: Via Zoom & in person in CT
Contact: ctbaxtermom@gmail.com
-
Katie enjoys walking alongside others as they become more aware of God’s presence in their everyday lives. She seeks to provide an open & safe space where we can be honest with God & with ourselves. Katie received her Certificate in Spiritual Direction from PAX in 2025. She also holds an MA in Biblical History & Geography from Jerusalem University College.
Currently meeting: Via Zoom or in person (Rockville, MD)
Contact: katie.willeman@gmail.com
-
I have been in campus ministry for over 30 years & have extensive experience working with college students & faculty around the country. For me, being a spiritual director is like being a window cleaner. I want to help people clear away misunderstandings, false views of God & themselves, & therefore see & love God more clearly. I think a good spiritual director listens to the directee & to the Holy Spirit, helping the directee to articulate a framework for reality & understand what has been experienced & where God is at work. A spiritual director invites in the light (in the person of Jesus) to dispel the darkness. I particularly am interested in the intersection of spiritual formation & mental health. I am certified in trauma-informed ministry.
Currently meeting: Online or in person in New Jersey
Contact: laura.vellenga@gmail.com
Are you interested in becoming a certified spiritual director & being trained in the art of contemplative listening? Follow the link below to read all about the first year in our 2-year training program, Transformational Listening.
Please Read Our Terms of Use Before Connecting With A Director - Your decision to connect with one of the above spiritual directors means that you are accepting personal responsibility to use these recommendations to engage the services of a spiritual director. Your relationship is then made directly with them. We can confirm that these directors were certified through PAX, but PAX is not responsible for the acts, omissions, or services provided by any of the spiritual directors we might recommend, or that are on this page. Use any contact information supplied by PAX solely for the purposes of finding a spiritual director. Thank you.