Spiritual Directors

Casey Anderson is a Spiritual Director, pastor of Spiritual Formation, yoga teacher, wife, and mom with a deep passion for helping others experience wholeness, connection with God, and the joy of the Lord.

Originally from sunny Southern California, Casey has made Knoxville, TN her home since 2016.

Casey was Casey is devoted to creating safe, welcoming spaces for spiritual growth and walking alongside others on their unique journeys of faith. In her free time, Casey finds joy in reading, cooking, baking, and impromptu dance parties. A foodie, coffee enthusiast, and road trip lover, she treasures adventures with her husband and best friend, Neil, and their three spirited teenagers—Bennett, Mallory, and Amelia.

Taking new directees: yes

In-person or remote: yes

Ignatian Exercises: not yet, but hopefully one day!

As a practicing Spiritual Director, Joy Beless enjoys companioning others in their faith journey, facilitating workshops, and leading solitude retreats at the family ranch in North Texas. A seasoned worship leader and songwriter, she frequently weaves worship, God’s Word and spiritual practices together. She is a chapel provider for a shelter for houseless women and children and a certified Grief and Trauma Healing Facilitator. 

 Joy and her husband Roger, lived internationally with their four children and now lives in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. She is "JoJo" to eleven adorable grandchildren and enjoys the outdoors and encouraging flowers to grow in the Texas heat.

Taking new directees: yes

In-person or remote: yes

Ignatian Exercises: yes

Allison Bradsher is a certified spiritual director who has been meeting with people for the last 5 years. She loves facilitating guided retreats and helping people connect with God and themselves through silence and stillness. Allison deeply values spiritual rhythms and desires to help people discover and practice the disciplines that deepen their journey with God. In her work as a spiritual director, she has experience in the areas of discernment, alignment, grief, and memory work. When she is not practicing spiritual direction, she spends her time with her wonderful husband, Rob, and their four precious kids.

Taking new directees: yes

In-person or remote: yes

Ignatian Exercises: yes

Ginger has a wide and varied background of Christian denominational traditions. Her ministry experience includes summer camp programming, Bible curriculum development, youth & family ministry, and teaching at various groups and conferences across the Southwest. She has a BA in Theatre Ministry from Abilene Christian University and a Selah Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Leadership Transformations Inc. She is currently a practicing spiritual director who is passionate about God’s Word and companioning God’s people to stay alert to His heart and ways.

Ginger loves watching for His movements and abiding love in the life of each directee she meets with. Together they practice a preference for God (looking and listening for Him) in every aspect of life.

Taking new directees: yes

In-person or remote: yes

Ignatian Exercises: no

Originally from South Africa, Bruce received his M.Div. from Covenant Theological Seminary in 2001 and was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) in 2003. He married Vesi in December 2001 and began work with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at the University of Delaware (2002-2007). In 2007, they moved to Boston, where Bruce worked at Boston University (2007-2012) and then as Assistant Regional Coordinator of Spiritual Formation and Prayer (2012-2020). Bruce got a certificate in Spiritual Direction in 2012 from Selah and has been offering direction both in person and online since then. For the majority of his time with InterVarsity Bruce worked in a part-time capacity and was the primary caretaker for his three daughters. In December 2020, he began full-time pastoral ministry at Citylife Presbyterian Church, and in September 2022 became the Lead Pastor at Grace Fellowship in Newton, MA. Bruce enjoys long-distance running and playing with children, especially babies!

Taking new directees: yes

In-person or remote: yes

Ignatian Exercises: no

It is Gail’s passion to see people discover and live out a vibrant, hope-filled and intimate walk with Christ in the midst of our very complex world.  She finds deep satisfaction and joy in guiding and walking alongside men and women of all ages and backgrounds in their spiritual journey.

Gail has served in ministry in many capacities over the years. She has mentored women and men, led small groups and coached leaders. She has taught classes on parenting, leadership, prayer and spiritual formation; as well as served on various ministry advisory boards, including ten years as a church elder.  Gail has led or taught at conferences and retreats on small group leadership, solitude, prayer, and spiritual formation.   Presently she is the Co-founder of sacred.  (www.mylifeissacred.com), a ministry providing guided solitude retreats for men, women, leaders, ministry teams, and small groups. Gail is a certified spiritual director through the Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction. She has also facilitated classes and individuals through the OneLifeMaps curriculum to help people recognize and respond to God in their story.

Gail has traveled broadly, growing up in Central and South America. She’s a graduate of Baylor University and holds a Master’s Degree from SMU in Dallas. Gail and her husband relocated to the Chicagoland area where they settled and raised their family. For enjoyment Gail likes long walks in creation, traveling abroad, experiencing new cultures, reading, and deep conversations with friends and family over a good meal. She and her husband reside in Dundee, Illinois, and have two grown children.

Catherine of Sienna said God is always looking at us with a gaze of love and we are invited to stop and receive that loving gaze. As a spiritual director, Dale walks with people as they seek to open themselves to God’s love, to experience their belovedness, and let that love overflow to those around them. There are many barriers and distractions, we fall short, we struggle, but God is patient, does not give up on us, and invites us to open our hearts to know his presence and care in every season of our lives.

As a spiritual director and pastor, Dale offers individual spiritual direction and leads people through the Ignatian Exercises, a life-transforming journey of prayer.

For more than 25 years as a pastor and leader in Christian ministries, Dale has experienced the joys and sorrows of the life of faith.

Dale has a passion to walk with others on their journey of soul restoration, to strengthen and encourage pastors and ministry leaders, and disciples of any kind, to help them grow in relationship with the living God. Through the years he has walked closely with spouses struggling in their marriages, those suffering from serious mental health problems, and those in times of doubt and deconstruction. He seeks to embody God’s patience, care, and compassion, wherever someone is on their journey. He seeks to see his directees in and through the love of the Father, encourage them to encounter the compassion of Jesus, and to open themselves to the Spirit’s work in their lives.

Dale has a Master of Divinity from Bethany Theological Seminary and graduated from both the SoulFormation Academy of Spiritual Direction and Formation and the SoulFormation School of Spiritual Direction. He was trained in Ignatian spirituality through SoulFormation, has led more than 70 people through the Ignatian Exercises, and now trains others to offer the Ignatian Exercises as well.

He and his wife Debbie have been married for more than 25 years and have teenage daughters. Together they lead a marriage ministry in the San Francisco Bay Area and seek to encourage couples towards God and into deeper connection with one another.

Taking new directees: yes

In-person or remote: yes

Ignatian Exercises: yes

Mike’s passion is to be a friend to those who are making the spiritual journey. He loves meeting people on the road with Jesus and walking with them along the way. Mike holds a doctorate in spirituality from Southern Seminary.

He received certification in soul care from Crosspoint Ministries, as an Enneagram Trainer from the Wagner Institute, and as a Life Coach with Realife Process. He’s also a certified faciltator of the Prepare/Enrich relationship assessment. Mike received his certification in spiritual direction from Sustainable Faith led by Sibyl Towner and Joan Kelly at the Springs in Oldenburg, Indiana.

Mike served for 25 years as a lead pastor and has a heart for pastors. He has established Sounding Depths Ministres to be a platform in which to be available as a Spiritual Director, speaker, and retreat leader. Mike considers listening to and holding stories to be a sacred calling and which he is honored to accompany others on their spiritual journey. Among the practices he employs with his listening are silence, oneLife Maps, imaginative prayer, and centering prayer.

Mike shows up with curiosity, openess, and an earthy humor.

Mike hails from the hills from East Tennessee. He is the proud husband to Mary Ellen, who loves her work as a Nurse and Nursing Instructor. They have five grown children whom they love dearly and reside in Madison, Indiana. They can often be found there walking their beloved Golden Retriever, Hank, together. Mike is an avid baseball fan, enjoys hiking, birding, reading, and the occasional CrossFit workout. He is also an aspiring poet. 

Taking new directees: yes

In-person or remote: yes

Ignatian Exercises: yes

Are you a leader wondering if you need a place to notice God in your story? Do you have a place to honestly explore your points of wrestling and your faith-filled longings? Cheri would love to invite you to experience the goodness of listening to God together. She has discovered that Spiritual Direction helps us to experience God’s love, to release what no longer belongs, and to receive what the Lord wants to give. In addition to Direction, she is also available to offer one-on-one supervision for spiritual directors.

Taking new directees: yes

In-person or remote: yes

Ignatian Exercises: yes

What do you get when you combine a teacher, a coach, a 911 dispatcher, and an event planner with the practice of spiritual direction? You get, Rhonda Jenkins! 

As Rhonda completed her certification in spiritual direction through the Transformational Listening Center, she reflected on all of her experiences and careers and noticed where God had been preparing her to be a listener! She would not have been a good teacher or coach, an effective 911 dispatcher, or hospitality professional if she did not listen well. And God continues to refine her gift of listening and deepen her passion for noticing where He is present in the lives of others. 

Rhonda’s passion for spiritual direction was ignited even more when she participated in The Ignatian Journey. After completing the journey, she was offered the opportunity to walk alongside others, in small groups and individually as they committed themselves to prayer and to experience the intimacy of God.  For many, it's the first time they've personally encountered God's deep and abiding love. 

Rhonda is also drawn to hold space for weary ministry leaders and those who are humble and curious about the interior movements of God in their relationship with Him. 

To learn more about Rhonda, you can visit her website www.highercallinghospitality.com.

She would be delighted to meet with you in spiritual direction in person, via video conferencing, or by phone.

Taking new directees: yes

In-person or remote: yes

Ignatian Exercises: yes

Joan’s mission is to create spaces to help people “connect the dots” on their spiritual journey and find God’s story in the midst of their everyday lives. She loves walking alongside others as they grow in Christ. Joan received her certificate in spiritual direction in 2013 from a 2-year program with Sustainable Faith led by David Nixon and now is co-leading a cohort of others through the program. Joan is a curious, gentle, attentive listener whose Spiritual Direction style is marked by her contemplation, shepherding, and companionship gifts. She considers it an incredible honor to hold a safe space for other's stories and discovery of God in them.

Joan has also been involved in leading and teaching in several ministries around topics including spiritual practices, parenting, grief, gratitude, joy, life story, marriage, mentoring, and stewardship. Joan is co-founder of a ministry called "Sacred" leading a rhythm of guided solitude retreats. Joan also leads people through the visual maps used in oneLife Maps helping people look at their life story.

Joan is a farm girl at heart and grew up in central Illinois. She is a graduate of University of Illinois in General Engineering, and worked as a consultant in the manufacturing/food industry for a large consulting practice before starting her own consulting business. Joan and her husband John have four children and live in Palatine, IL. She loves reading a good book, a walk in God’s creation, ballroom dancing or cooking with her husband, or a lively conversation or game around the dinner table with her friends or family.

Taking new directees: yes

In-person or remote: yes

Ignatian Exercises: yes

Matt is passionate about helping others deepen their relationship with God and experience the joy of His presence in their daily lives. As a trained Spiritual Director with an MA in Spiritual Formation & Soul Care from The Institute for Spiritual Formation at Talbot School of Theology, Matt brings a thoughtful and compassionate approach to walking alongside individuals on their spiritual journeys. He also holds advanced degrees in Philosophy and Clinical Psychology, which provide a deep understanding of the complexities of the human soul.

With nearly 20 years of full-time pastoral ministry experience, Matt has served in a variety of roles, including Worship Pastor, Executive Pastor, and Campus Pastor. He has led in churches of various sizes, giving him a unique perspective on the diverse needs of congregations, teams, and leaders.

Matt’s heart is especially drawn to pastors, ministry leaders, creatives, and teams, offering them a safe and welcoming space to explore their unique callings and challenges. Whether providing one-on-one spiritual direction, guiding teams through group direction, or facilitating transformative retreats, Matt helps to create spaces where individuals and communities can encounter God’s love in meaningful ways. He is honored to serve others as they grow in intimacy with God.

Taking new directees: yes

In-person or remote: yes

Ignatian Exercises: no

Are you in a challenging or transitional season of life or ministry? Are you busy serving those around you but know you need to pause and pay closer attention to how God is moving in your own heart? Brenda has found that slowing down enough to share with a spiritual companion who is outside of her immediate sphere, yet who can listen prayerfully, is a rich spiritual practice that helps us appreciate God’s loving presence in the details of our lives. As a trained spiritual director (with the Selah Certificate Program of Leadership Transformations Inc.) and over years in ministry with her husband (serving in Canada, the US, Eastern Europe, and now back again), she has found much joy in walking with women who desire a deeper connection with God. It is a privilege to accompany them in their journey; whether in full-time or lay ministry (or ‘married to’ ministry), whether caring for others professionally or domestically, whether living in another country or in your home culture, and whether ‘settled’ or in transition or discernment to a new calling. Please contact Brenda if you'd like to set up an initial meeting to talk more about spiritual direction.

Taking new directees: yes

In-person or remote: yes

Ignatian Exercises: yes (in September 2025) 

Adam is a spiritual director and pastor with over three decades of experience in church and para-church ministry. He holds a Master’s degree in Spiritual Formation and Leadership from Spring Arbor University.

Adam completed his Spiritual Direction training through Sustainable Faith and is a member of ESDA (Christ-centered Spiritual Directors). He is also a certified Transformational Coach.

Adam and Rebekah co-founded LifePoint Resources, a soul care ministry based out of Denver (Colorado), in October 2021. They consider their home as “base camp" to provide hospitality and soul care to those in need all around the world. LifePoint Resources provides spiritual direction, transformational coaching, formational mentoring, inner-healing prayer ministry, and additional resources and retreats to help people along the transformational journey of being with Jesus and becoming people of love. Visit www.lifepointresources.org to learn more.

Adam also hosts meaningful conversations on spiritual formation, spiritual direction, soul care, and life with God on “The Being Formed Podcast.” Visit www.thebeingformedpodcast.com to listen to a special conversation with Cheri and Lori (Practice Collective) about The Ignatian Journey. (Episode 20)

Adam is currently accepting new directees and is available to guide others through the Spiritual Exercises.

Taking new directees: yes

In-person or remote: yes

Ignatian Exercises: yes

Holly Porter Phillips is a pastor, writer and trained spiritual director (Anam Cara). She loves the slow pace of spiritual direction and the gift of walking alongside others, bearing witness to their lives. After years of wrestling with her place in the church and overthinking life with God, she’s found new ways of encountering the Spirit through simply being. Holly serves as co-pastor at a small church in Austin, Texas where she lives with her musician husband, their three kids and a backyard full of birds. Holly can be found at www.hollyporterphillips.com or hollyporterphillips.substack.com.

Taking new directees: yes

In-person or remote: yes

Ignatian Exercises: no

Nicole has been facilitating spiritual conversations for over 20 years. She’s passionate about helping others connect more deeply with themselves and with God, and Spiritual Direction is the best way that she’s found to do that.

Nicole has had several careers, including church ministry leader, international humanitarian worker, and water resources engineer, and she’s grateful for the ways her professional experiences shape how she listens. She’s a wife and mom, and she enjoys traveling, gardening, dancing, long walks, meaningful conversations, being in nature, and city adventures.

Spiritual Direction has led her personally into deeper head/heart/body integration, breakthrough, and freedom, and she is honored to offer this sacred space to others.

*The most important words about Nicole as a Spiritual Director come from the folks she’s had the privilege of holding space with. Many of them were generous to share their experiences on her website (link below). She offers a free consultation session with no obligation to continue meeting with her. If you’re interested or even curious, she would love to hear from you!

More specifics about Nicole’s eclectic professional and personal experience:

-She’s a Certified Spiritual Director, with a certificate from Sustainable Faith.

-She spent 7 years in ministry working as a Care Ministry Director, Small Groups Director, and Staff Coach at a large church in Chicago.

-She spent 5 years in international development/humanitarian work. She helped start a non-profit in Kenya as Water and Sanitation Program Manager.

-She worked 5 years as Water Resources Engineer for a top environmental consulting firm in downtown Chicago.

Before kids, she traveled to 28 countries, and she now enjoys mostly domestic adventures with her husband and two daughters exploring all the charms of her 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, she volunteers with her church and several organizations in her community.

Website: spiritualdirectionwithnicole.com

Email: nicolegscott@gmail.com

Taking new directees: yes

In-person or remote: yes

Ignatian Exercises: yes

After 30 years of serving in ministry and counseling, I am delighted to walk alongside others who are seeking the Lord's presence and joy of intimacy with Him in their lives through Spiritual Direction.

Availability

In Person, Zoom, Skype, Google Meet

Denomination or Church Affiliation

Non-Denominational

Taking new directees: yes

In-person or remote: yes

Ignatian Exercises: yes

Pastor, Spiritual Director, Director of the SFSAZ, author, speaker, retreat leader: I have a deep desire to see others spiritually formed through a deepening intimacy with the Trinity. Providing a safe place to prayerfully explore how God is leading and at work is the core of spiritual direction. Having served as a pastor for over 20 years, I have a heart for pastors and ministry leaders. Knowing the unique challenges they face, I value the opportunity to walk alongside ministry leaders in direction. I completed a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Selah (Leadership Transformations) as well as Larry Crabb’s School of Spiritual Direction (New Way Ministries). My academic training includes a MDiv, STM, and DMin. My approach to SD is contemplative in style and Trinitarian in theology.

Website: desertdirection.com

Taking new directees: no

In-person or remote: n/a

Ignatian Exercises: no