Our Team

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Steve Macchia

Founder & President

The Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Macchia is founder and president of Leadership Transformations, Inc. (LTI), a ministry serving the spiritual formation, discernment, and renewal of leaders and learners since 2003. For more than 20 years he has been the Director of the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Doctor of Ministry Program. From 1989-2003 he was the president of Vision New England, the largest regional church renewal association in the country. Earlier in his ministry life, Steve was a member of the pastoral staff of Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts for 11 years. He is the author or co-author of 17 books, including The Discerning Life (Zondervan Reflective), and Crafting a Rule of Life, Becoming A Healthy Church (LTI), and Broken and Whole (IVP).  He and his wife Ruth live in the Boston (MA) area and are the proud parents of two married children and grandparents to three adorable grandchildren. Steve’s personal website is www.SteveMacchia.com.

“My soul comes alive singing the great hymns of the church and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. I’m in awe of God for fulfilling the dream for LTI that he birthed in my heart, for the team he has assembled, and the transformational impact experienced in the leaders and teams we serve.”

Detailed Biography
Articles by Stephen Macchia
Author Website
Schedule a one-on-one with Steve

Rick Anderson

Executive Vice President

Rick has a passion for spiritual formation and leadership development. He has completed the Selah Certificate Program in Spiritual Direction through LTI. He has also completed New Way Ministries’ School of Spiritual Direction and the Advanced School, both taught by Dr. Larry Crabb. Rick is a graduate of Biola University’s school of business. Prior to LTI, Rick served as the COO of the Christian Writers Guild and the Director of Finance & Operations at Trinity Law School. He currently serves as a board member for Peregrine Ministries and Beyond Survival. Rick and his wife, Lisa, live in Colorado Springs with their three boys: Cameron, Mitchell, and Jackson. Rick loves spending time with God in nature, laughing with friends and family, exploring new places, fixing things, watching movies, and taking in a strong Colorado thunderstorm. He also enjoys golf, international travel, and woodworking.  “It is such a joy to serve with the incredible people who make up this team and this amazing ministry of spiritual formation/soul care.”

Articles by Rick Anderson

Susan Porterfield Currie

Director of Selah, Abide Faculty, & Minister of Spiritual Formation

Susan is a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (DMin in Spiritual Formation; MATS), CFDM Pacific Northwest Certificate Program in Spiritual Guidance, and Bryn Mawr College (MA, English Lit). She has served in church and parachurch settings for the past several decades, focusing on spiritual formation ministries, retreat leadership, and spiritual direction, and along with her husband Dave serves as affiliated clergy in the Anglican Diocese of Christ Our Hope, offering support to area clergy and to the Anglican Formation Track at Gordon-Conwell. Susan and Dave are the parents of three adult children – all grace! – and enjoy home hospitality to extended family as well as guests that come their way. In Sabbath moments Susan will be found outdoors – sitting, hiking, kayaking, immersing herself in the beauty of creation – or indoors, tea and scones at her side, immersing herself in the beauty of good words. “LTI has been my ministry home for nearly 20 years, where with amazing colleagues I delight in creating and nurturing spacious, reflective presence to God. Glory!“

Articles by Susan Currie

Jeremy Stefano

Director of Emmaus, Director of Abide, & Minister of Spiritual Formation

Jeremy offers spiritual direction, leads retreats, teaches on spiritual formation topics and serves as the director of Emmaus, a Certificate Program in Formational Leadership, and Abide, a Certificate Program in Spiritual Formation. He also works with students of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary at the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building. The heartbeat of Jeremy’s calling is to encourage Christian leaders in the cultivation of their relationship with God. He has served various churches as pastor and interim pastor. He and Bethany, his wife of 35 years, have been blessed with eight children and five grandchildren. They make their home in Massachusetts. He has a Licentiate in Theology from the Cape Town Baptist Seminary in South Africa, a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Regent College in Canada and a D.Min. in Leadership and Spiritual Formation from Portland Seminary in Portland, OR. “Friendships have been a source of grace in my life. It is a gift to serve in LTI alongside those who value the priority of rich and enduring relationships with each other.”

Articles by Jeremy Stefano

Matt Scott

Creative Director, Abide Faculty, & Minister of Spiritual Formation

Matt serves on the LTI team as Creative Director and Minister of Spiritual Formation. With 15 years of local church experience, Matt has served various churches in the area of worship and arts, community life, shepherding, and pastoral ministry. A graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (MDiv) and the University of Mobile (Worship Leadership and Music Performance), Matt has a heart to shepherd people through songwriting, worship leadership, and pastoral care. He and his wife, Kristen, live in Bluffton, South Carolina with their two children, Emerson and Ashton. Matt enjoys building furniture, writing music, and being on the backwater of the Lowcountry’s May River. “I am humbled and honored to be part of the LTI team. I find great joy in building up and encouraging the Body of Christ through spiritual formation and soul care.”

Chrissy Chang

Online Ministry Coordinator

Chrissy coordinates the technical aspects of LTI’s ministries, including online event management, registration forms, the Discerning Leader Podcast, and the LTI website. She is a spiritual director trained through LTI’s Selah Certificate in Spiritual Direction and offers spiritual direction through her ministry, Dwell Soul Care.  She also has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and enjoys the creativity in technical challenges. She loves spiritual formation and co-creating spaces with God where others can experience and grow into their beloved selves in Christ and has completed the Emmaus Certificate in Formational Leadership through LTI. Chrissy lives in Houston, Texas with her husband, daughter, and 2 dogs, and loves to paint, read, take long walks in nature, and enjoy good food while connecting with others.  “The Lord has blessed and transformed me through the ministry of LTI. It is a joy to serve with a team so committed to creating hospitable space for others to be with God.“

Madison Elrod

Graphic Designer

Madison serves on the LTI team as a Graphic Designer. A graduate of Auburn University with a BFA in Graphic Design and a Minor in Business. Madison is passionate about anything that requires creativity. Her number one love is graphic design; however, she dabbles in all kinds of art, from painting to photography to illustration and even to printmaking. All throughout her life, she has always known God’s purpose for her life was to bring beauty into this world through her creative gifts. She has served various churches working in their creative departments and has a passion to communicate the Word through inspiring visual elements. She lives in Bluffton, South Carolina where she enjoys exploring the Lowcountry with her dog. “It is a pleasure to be able to work alongside such an inspiring team for a great purpose and cause. Contributing to the Christian community, which has done so much for me, is truly an honor.”

James Hauptman

Executive Assistant

James handles many of the day-to-day administrative duties for LTI. Along with this role, he manages the programs of the Pierce Center for Disciple Building at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. His goal is to help people discover and enjoy the life that Jesus offers to them. James has served the local church for two decades, most recently as an Associate Pastor for 12 years. He graduated from Northpoint Bible College (Haverhill, MA) with a degree in Biblical Studies and is currently enrolled in the M. Div. program at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. James, his wife Abbie, and their four children live in South Hamilton, MA, and love to play, swim, and paddleboard in the ocean! “I am thrilled to be a part of the team of LTI. Spiritual Formation has been incredibly life-giving to me, and I am delighted to help others enjoy life with God for themselves!“

Gayle Heaslip

Spiritual Formation Associate, Abide Faculty, & Selah-East Faculty

Gayle Heaslip has a degree in counseling from Gordon-Conwell Seminary and having completed Selah’s spiritual direction training program, she is drawn to walk alongside others as they grow into the fullness of life the Lord supplies through both trials and triumphs. In addition to working with LTI and offering spiritual direction to individuals and groups, she is a priest in the Anglican Church of North America, serving a missional fellowship in Falmouth. Gayle delights in the ever-changing beauty of Cape Cod where she lives with her husband and close to their three grown children and eight grandchildren. Good books and conversation, hiking, writing and photography, and time alone to ponder are God’s gracious gifts to her. “I have been deeply formed over many years through LTI within its listening, companioning community, and I’m honored to walk with others in the Emmaus and Selah programs as we become more attentive and responsive to God’s presence.”

Judith Huang

Online Program Tech

Judith serves on the LTI team as Online Program Tech, supporting LTI’s Emmaus and Abide certificate programs. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with an Electrical Engineering degree. She has a passion for cultivating relationships and spurring people on in their walks with Christ. Judith resides in Austin, Texas with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys crafting and crocheting, reading books on parenting and personal growth, intentional conversations, and seeing how God is working through life’s situations. She is excited to work at LTI to help people deepen their relationship with God through the Holy Spirit.

Leslie Konhaeuser

Abide Proctor

Leslie Konhaeuser is a licensed clinical counselor currently living in South Carolina, after receiving her master’s degree from Florida State University in 2016. There has always been a clear connection between the counseling field and her faith, but a storm of personal and theological shifts around the time her first daughter was born awakened her to the deep need for healthy spiritual formation in the life of a Christian. She is passionate about the intersection of spiritual formation and neuroscience, and aims to use her creativity to help people connect with God in ways that honor their developmental makeup. After being introduced to LTI through books and podcasts, she became part of the inaugural cohort for the Abide Spiritual Formation certificate program. She plans to enroll in Selah when life stage permits the margin, but in the meantime she aims to bridge therapeutic insight and skills with spiritual formation principles in her work and personal ministry. Her days are filled with raising and homeschooling her three children, working with clients, doing yoga, and gardening. Her recent move to Clemson, SC has opened heart space for the enjoyment of the many good things the Lord provides.

Joe Pauli

Online Event Tech

Joe Pauli is the Campus Ministries Technician at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. He oversees technology in various event spaces and classrooms by running weekly events, troubleshooting equipment, and training volunteers across campus. Joe attained a degree in Communication with an emphasis in Media Production from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas, and then moved to Colorado with a passion for church work and audio production. Joe started his time in Colorado by completing a Worship Tech Residency at Woodmen Valley Chapel in Colorado Springs. He then moved to Centennial, Colorado for his current position at Cherry Hills, and is dedicated to making sure events run well so that people can learn about God and have a relationship with Him. Joe’s main passion is audio work, and his love for music has driven him to enhance his skills as an audio engineer. “I LOVE my job, and I love getting to work with people. The people I’ve worked with have taught me so much about sharing the word of God with others!”

Meritt Petrone

Online Program Tech

Meritt joins the LTI team as an Online Program Tech. She was first introduced to LTI through their online workshops and soul care retreats. The consolation found there inspired her to complete the Selah Spiritual Direction program and the Abide program for Spiritual Formation. Meritt created Roots and Wings Ministries which offers online spiritual direction, retreats, and rule of life creation support. Meritt is a devout Catholic Christian who is passionate about creating bridges in a world where division is often idolized. She is a member of a Secular Institute, a form of consecrated life in the Catholic Church, and lives a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience out in the world among God’s people, building the Body of Christ up from within. Meritt’s diverse education, training and personal experience have grown deep, rich, and nourished roots which help her support others to soar on wings like eagles and give their great “yes” to all God’s precious invitations in their lives. “LTI continues to confirm, inspire, and deepen my vocation.”

Linda Rankin

Selah Associate for Alumni Nurture

Linda is an ordained minister serving within a church planting movement and network of churches on the West Coast. She currently serves as Care Pastor at EastLake Church in San Diego, CA. Home is twelve miles north of the Mexican border and nestled next to the beautiful shores of the Pacific Ocean where she often spends time with her family including two adult children and one teenage son. In addition to offering Selah trained contemplative spiritual direction, Linda is also a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), a therapeutic modality designed to help individuals process stuck trauma in the body. Her work is contemplative in nature, helping others spot the active work of God in their lives. She specializes in contemplative practice, presence to God and to self, ministry burnout, trauma, chronic pain, fatigue, and stress. “Nurturing others in resilience and grace is an expression of the gift I’ve received from God’s steady presence and care throughout my life. It is a joy to help others spot the presence of God in and through their stories. Selah fosters an environment of nurturing in God’s presence and it is an honor to continue providing care to our graduates.“

Warren Schuh

Lead Church Health Coach

Warren graduated from Wheaton College with BA degrees in Religious Studies and Philosophy and then received a Master of Divinity degree from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. He has served four different churches in Massachusetts, California and Colorado over the course of 30 years in addition to overseeing Leadership Network’s Large Church Network in North America for several years. He has been consulting with churches for more than a decade. Warren and his wife Connie met and married while attending Wheaton College. They have three adult married children and eight grandchildren. It has been Warren’s life-long passion and calling to serve the leaders of the local church as they follow their own calling to shepherd God’s people. While pastoring in the local church can be incredibly fulfilling, it has never been more challenging than it is in these days. It is Warren’s desire to be helpful with the challenges. “I have been providing Church Health Assessment Tool follow up consulting with LTI for more than twelve years.“

Suz Skinner

Suz Skinner

Emmaus Faculty, Abide Faculty, & Spiritual Formation Associate

Suz received her degree in Art Education from Pennsylvania State University, received theological education from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary through CCO and IVCF campus ministries, and completed the Selah Certificate Program in Spiritual Direction. After serving in campus ministry, Suz has also served on church staff teams, in both youth ministry and adult discipleship ministry. In addition, Suz has worked as a visual arts instructor, for over two decades. Currently, Suz serves LTI at the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and on the faculty team for the Emmaus: Certificate in Formational Leadership. As both an artist and a spiritual director, Suz offers creative soul care and spiritual direction in her art studio. Five clever grandkids, along with their loving parents, continually bless Suz and her husband, Joel. Suz loves to fill her kitchen with friends and good conversation and is always refreshed by an oceanside walk. “God continues to use the grace-filled people and the attentive spaciousness of LTI to shape me for Christ’s Kingdom.“

Liz Whitfield

Accounts Receivable Manager

Liz Whitfield is a professional free-lance violinist in the Boston area. She was born in England and studied and performed there until coming to the U.S. with her husband Iain. She has performed in symphonic, ballet, opera and chamber music settings. Liz and Iain raised three daughters in Lexington, the two older are married, and one went to be with Jesus in 2006 after a fourteen year battle with metachromatic leukodystrophy. When not playing the violin or mulling over numbers Liz loves to hike, do jigsaw puzzles, bake scones and hang out with her grandkids. In her role at LTI as Accounts Receivable Manager Liz greatly appreciates her interactions with the LTI team and finds fulfillment in being able to support its ministry. Liz has participated in many soul care and staff retreats and her husband attended LTi’s Emmaus for several years.
“We are forever grateful for the impact of LTI on our lives”.

Kristyn Wirt

Selah Admin Assistant

Kristyn is passionate about spiritual formation and worship, and loves to see people experience God’s love in all of life. She received her Master’s in Spiritual Formation from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She was introduced to LTI through the Pierce Center for Disciple Building. She feels at home with the people and ministry of LTI, and is currently a part of Selah. Before seminary she worked with Youth With a Mission for five years which cultivated her love for traveling and meeting people from other countries. She now lives in Charlottesville, VA where she enjoys seeing the beauty of the mountains every day, exploring new places with her husband, Weston, resting in the quiet moments, reading books, laughing with friends, and spontaneous dance parties. Kristyn writes, “The Lord has healed and shaped me in His love as I have enjoyed His presence with the people of LTI. I am so thankful for the fruit of this ministry in my life and in the lives of many others. I am excited to be serving alongside this team!“

Kee Wong

CHAT Tech & Software Developer

Kee maintains the Healthy Church website and survey application for LTI. Along with Kee’s work with LTI, he develops and maintains a host of other websites, and loves to continuously tinker with new internet technology. Kee is passionate about developing computer apps and working with his hands on home renovations. When he is not working, he enjoys engaging with his wife and young child, investing into his family life. Kee enjoys being a part of the LTI team and writes, “I am grateful to have the opportunity to use my skills to serve the LTI ministry. I hope that my work here blesses the Christian churches and communities, near and far.“

Dr. Kimberly Alexander

Selah Senior Faculty, Abide Faculty

Dr. Kimberly Nash Alexander is a native of Charlotte, NC. She attended UNC-Greensboro and The George Washington University in Washington, DC where she received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Speech Language Pathology respectively. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy in the integration of religion and society from Omega Graduate School in Dayton, TN. Kim is certified as a spiritual director through Leadership Transformations and offers a 12 month contemplative mentoring journey, soul care retreats and soul care for businesses/teams and spiritual direction through DKA Services. She is the founder of the special needs ministry and leads the Women’s Ministry of The Park Church in Charlotte, NC. Kim shares life and love with her husband, Bishop Claude Alexander, Jr. and their two daughters Camryn and Carsyn. While she has a passion for empowering women to live in the fullness of their relationship with Christ. She can be found reading, jogging, or cooking great southern food. Good chocolate and popcorn are her weakness. “Having a broken toe during my Selah experience prompted a spiritual awakening.“

Gail Edmonson

Emmaus Faculty & Abide Faculty

Gail Edmonson has a deep longing to create space for people to feel safe – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. After serving for 18 years on her church staff in various positions including Director of Leadership Development and Director of Spiritual Formation, she entered private practice as a spiritual director. She delights in offering spiritual direction for individuals and groups, giving leadership to monthly gatherings for spiritual practices, and facilitating soul care retreats. Gail holds a Bachelor of Science degree in interior design from Baylor University. She received spiritual direction training through Leadership Transformations’ Selah Certificate Program as well as certification in spiritual formation leadership through Leadership Transformations’ Emmaus program. Additionally, Gail holds a certification in Death, Dying, and Grief from Tyndale Spiritual Formation Centre.

Gail and her husband live in Katy, Texas. They have three adult children and seven growing grandchildren.

“I am deeply passionate about the ministry of LTI because of the ways the Lord has used both Emmaus and Selah in my spiritual formation. Therefore, my gratitude for LTI and its leadership runs deep. It is an honor to serve alongside these grace-filled men and women.“

Marcos Leon

Emmaus Faculty, Abide Faculty, & Selah-West Faculty

Marcos has served as a Team Leader for Faithwalking since 2007. He facilitates and coaches the Faithwalking curriculum in English and Spanish, leads the communications team, and oversees the training for coaches. Marcos is also part of the Emmaus Online faculty team at LTI. Additionally he serves as a counselor and has a passion for spiritual direction. Marcos was born and grew up in Ecuador, but now lives north of Houston in Porter, TX with his wife Julie and four children. He loves nature, good stories, and road trips with family. His education includes a Masters in Hotel Administration in Spain and a Masters in Counseling from Houston Graduate School of Theology. He also received his training on the Enneagram from Crosspoint Ministry and is a graduate of LTI’s Selah program. “Selah facilitates an encounter with God. The integration of a solid biblical foundation in the teaching, the humble spaciousness of the discipline of silence, and the faith-filled loving attitude of the leaders invites the soul to listen to the Spirit of the Living God.”

Dr. Brenda Woods

Emmaus Faculty & Abide Faculty

Brenda has spent her career as a physician and has now entered a season of “re-purposement” with a call to accompany others in their walk with Christ. She is married to David for 42 years. They have 4 married children with a total of 10 grandchildren who are a joy and delight! She is active in her local church serving as an elder and facilitates the spiritual direction training program that has raised up spiritual directors in her congregation. She discovered LTI during the pandemic, and the Soul Care retreats and workshops were a lifeline while practicing medicine at that time. Because of this experience with LTI, she completed the Emmaus program and is currently an intern with Selah to continue to be formed as one who listens well and joins others as they journey with God. She graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University, Indiana University School of Medicine, and Dallas Theological Seminary. She enjoys time with her family, reading, painting and being outdoors especially if water is involved! “I am experiencing God in a new and powerful way. Instead of working hard for Him, almost as His employee, I now operate out of a deep and abiding knowledge that I am His dearly loved child. Everything I do in His service now flows out of gratitude and in response to His love. I see His activity surrounding me and have an ever-growing awareness of His continual presence in my life. This has brought me to a place of rest and contentment that I did not realize existed.”

Jovin Adjeitey

Jovin Adjeitey

Emmaus Faculty & Selah-East Faculty

Jovin delights to lead others to experience God’s life-changing love and power through the ministries of prayer, the Word, and attentive listening. She does this through offering prayerful, hospitable spaces and experiences to leaders across cultures who have become weary and need to be re-directed to hear the voice of God.

She lives in Ghana, West Africa. Though her educational background and degrees are in Hospitality, things took a turn when the Lord led her in a different kind of hospitality than expected. She spent the last two decades in full time vocational ministry with InterVarsity USA (an Interdenominational campus ministry) serving international students and scholars, and later InterVarsity Staff. She understands what it’s like to live in a different culture and serve many cultures. Her ministry experience includes speaking, training, and working with different cultures, spiritual formation, intercession and prayer ministry.

She trained as a Spiritual Director through Leadership Transformations’ Selah Certificate Program. For fun, she enjoys a good cup of tea and loves to express hospitality through cooking for others. “The ministry of LTI was meaningful to me during a Kairos moment in my life. I am blessed to serve with this remarkable team.”

Dan DeRoche

Emmaus Faculty

Dan enjoys being the senior pastor at Crossview Church in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. He has 25 years ministry experience which includes serving as a missionary in Lisbon, Portugal. He loves encountering God, getting lost in His wonder, and introducing others to Jesus. Prior to ministry, Dan served in the United States Air Force and is a war veteran. He has a bachelor’s degree from Judson University, a master’s degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and is ordained in the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA). He is married to the love of his life, Pam, and they have two adult children. Dan enjoys hanging out with his family, reading, golfing, coffee
conversations, and going for walks in nature. He is a dog lover and has a pug named Theo. “As a pastor, I heard of this idea of ministering out of the overflow of what God is doing in your own heart, but I never really experienced that as a regular practice until I enrolled in the Emmaus program. There I learned spiritual formation practices like noticing God’s presence, being more attentive to my soul, responding to God’s invitations, and remembering that I am dearly loved by God. I am grateful for LTI, and I am excited to walk with friends on the Emmaus journey.”

Gary Franklin

Emmaus Faculty

Gary Franklin has been a pastor since 1980. Today he serves as the teaching and vision pastor for Grace Church in Fayetteville, Georgia. He’s been in this role since 2007. He also served as the pastor of the same Grace Church in 1990’s.  He also serves as the Founder/President of The Leader’s Heart, Inc. which is a non-profit through which he provides spiritual friendship and direction to ministry and marketplace leaders.

Gary has been married to Verna for 44 years. They have three grown children and four grandchildren with a fifth arriving later in 2022.

Gary has a passion for spiritual formation which was awakened in 2005. It changed his spiritual journey and his pastoral ministry. “I’ve been part of two Emmaus communities and enjoyed privilege of sharing those experiences with members of my church staff. The rhythm of community with other leaders has been enriching and centering.“

Mitzi Mak

Selah-West Faculty & Emmaus Faculty

Mitzi started her professional life as a high school social studies teacher. She and her husband Jerry then served cross-culturally for ten+ years, living abroad first in India and then Kurdistan, N. Iraq. In addition to being a Spiritual Director, she now serves as a Formation and Care pastor in her local church in Houston, TX. She has graduated from LTI’s Selah Spiritual Direction training as well as LTI’s Emmaus Formational Leadership Program.

Mitzi enjoys engaging conversation, reading fiction, doing jigsaw/crossword puzzles, ocean gazing and exploring the world with Jerry through food and travel.

God has two main callings in Mitzi’s life: to care for those who care for others and to be a guide in helping others have a healthy relationship with the Trinity – recognizing God’s loving presence and activity in their lives and how to faithfully respond.

“Selah was a transformative experience for me – allowing the contemplative within to emerge and to beautifully co-exist with my extraverted personality.“

Sanda Tomuletiu

Emmaus Faculty

Sanda is from Romania and she currently lives in her hometown, Sibiu. She has a Ph.D. in communication from Duquesne University (U.S.) and is a graduate of LTI’s Emmaus program. Her interest in spiritual formation, discovered while teaching at Wheaton College, deepened after she moved to Lithuania to provide leadership for the new communication major at LCC International University, a Christian university serving students from the former Soviet Union. Since her return to Romania, Sanda’s heart has been with the local church, where she provides teaching and spiritual companionship to women. Her desire to be better equipped for accompanying others in their walk with God led her to pursue training in spiritual direction with LTI’s Selah program in Europe. Books and dogs are Sanda’s faithful companions, gardens and forests – her life-giving spaces, while deep friendships and conversations are her soul food. “Finding LTI’s Emmaus program was like finding home. The spiritual discipline of holy restraint, of again and again returning to Silence in order to notice the Spirit’s movement, has entered my life for good.”

David Wu

Selah Senior Faculty, Emmaus Faculty

David serves as Senior Faculty of Selah, LTI’s Certificate Program in Spiritual Direction, and Emmaus, LTI’s Certificate Program in Formational Leadership. He is a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.,’11) and Selah. Prior to his ministry with LTI, David was involved with overseas missions in East Asia, church planting, and pastoral ministry in the local church. David is passionate about creating prayerful and hospitable space for others to listen to God, whether through leading worship corporately, facilitating soul care retreats, or one-on-one spiritual direction. For fun, David enjoys long hikes, playing the guitar, gluten-free cooking, and pulling weeds. David and his wife and three kids make their home in Sugar Land, Texas. “I first encountered LTI at a soul care retreat during a very low point in my life and ministry. LTI was my spiritual paramedic at just the right time. Today I am so grateful to serve with this incredible team of loving and compassionate soul care-givers.“

Ted Wueste

Selah Senior Faculty & Associate Director, Selah-West

Ted has served in ministry for almost 30 years with 22 of those years in pastoral ministry as both an associate pastor and a senior pastor at a church he planted and pastored for 10 years. With Master degrees of Divinity and Sacred Theology as well as a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership, he has also received training in Spiritual Direction from New Way Ministries and Selah. Ted has been married to Jenifer since 1992 and has two college aged children. He serves as the Director of the Spiritual Formation Society of Arizona where he loves to hike, tend is cactus garden, and spend time outdoors. Ted shares: “It’s a joy to be a part of this team! From the moment I got involved with LTI, I felt like I’d met my ‘tribe.’ The loving, nurturing LTI ‘way’ creates space for those in leadership and those who are a part of various offerings to follow the leading of our Triune God. I love it!“

Sally Breedlove

Sally Breedlove

Selah Senior Faculty & Associate Director, Selah-Anglican

 Sally Breedlove (BA in English, studies in Spiritual Theology at Regent College, Certificate in Spiritual Direction, Selah) is the co-founder of JourneyMates (www.JourneyMates.org), a contemplative ministry that invites people to connect intimately with the Triune God in communities and small groups. She now serves JourneyMates as a trainer and supervisor. She also co-founded 8@8 (www.8at8pm.org), a ministry that calls Christians around the world to biblically-informed prayer for eight minutes nightly. As an author, spiritual director, teacher, and retreat leader, she delights in helping people notice, trust, and follow Jesus. Sally and her husband Steve, a bishop in the Anglican Church in North America, live life in the rich context of five married children and fifteen grandchildren. Any given day unfolds rhythms of long walks, good books, hospitality, and real conversations. If anyone asks Sally about LTI’s ministry, her answer is the same: “LTI leadership lives humbly and joyfully into all it teaches, as it invites people into a broader and robust with-God life.”

Dr. Nathan Baxter

Selah-Anglican

Nathan’s long-term sense of calling has been to help Christians go deeper into their faith and to respond in culture influencing ways. While studying ways faith and culture interact, Nathan led home groups and formation classes in his local church contexts (MA Exegetical Theology, Western Seminary; PhD in Communication and Culture, Indiana University; MA Speech Communication, Texas A&M University; BA Speech Communication, Willamette University). After 14 years as a college professor, he embraced pastoral ministry as the context of his calling. Nathan was trained in spiritual direction through the Holy Conversations program of the Anglican Diocese in New England. He lives with his wife and two children in Modesto, CA, where he pastors Wellspring Anglican Church. He enjoys espresso, books, conversations, and guitars. “I’ve been blessed by the lives and ministry of the Selah team for years. What a privilege to be serving alongside wise and thoughtful people!”

Fyfe Blair

Dr. Fyfe Blair

Selah-Europe

Fyfe has 30 years of experience in ministry – serving within a range of diverse contexts of parishes in Scotland and New Zealand; the vocational formation of students training for ministry; facilitation and training provision in conflict transformation (a ministry of reconciliation) and Spiritual Direction.  His educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts (Religious Studies) from the University of Edinburgh, a Bachelor of Divinity from the University of Aberdeen, a D.Min. in Church Planting from the Columbia Seminary, a Certificate in Mediation Skills for Churches, and a Certificate in Horticulture. Fyfe is married to Gillian and lives in N.E Scotland. He is blessed with two married daughters and their husbands. He enjoys cycling, gardening and painting. He is exploring new opportunities in which to establish a context for soul care, contemplative rhythms and seasons using horticulture to engage around Gospel, soul, land and community, helping others recognise the presence and voice of God and to respond appropriately. “I so appreciate being part of a wonderful team and engaging with interns from a host of countries. It is so enriching.”


Adele Ahlberg Calhoun

Selah Guest Faculty

Adele is the co-pastor of Spiritual Formation with her husband Doug at Highrock Covenant Church in Atlington, MA. She has pastoral and missionary experience stateside and overseas. Adele taught as adjunct faculty at Wheaton College and Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has served on a variety of boards and currently serves on the board of New Wine and Pax Center for Christian Spiritual Formation. Adele has authored seven books including The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook (IVP), Invitations from God (IVP), and Spiritual Rhythms for the Enneagram (IVP). She is an accomplished retreat leader and a spiritual director.

Caryn Dixon

Selah-Anglican

Caryn serves as a supervisor for the Selah-Anglican interns. Companioning others on their journey has looked different in changing seasons of her life. Originally working in human resource management in the city of London, she retrained as a counselor and began her own counseling practice serving her local church. Shortly after moving to the United States with her husband she was invited to explore the Selah program of spiritual direction. It was a life-changing gift to discover others who have a deep desire to listen and attend to God’s healing presence. Caryn has been married to Simon for 18 years and they are blessed beyond measure with a 7 year old son who keeps them embracing joy, adventuring and exploring. They love family life and “doing life” with friends, nurturing community. Caryn has a degree in Theology and Psychology (Stellenbosch University, South Africa), a qualification in Counseling and Theology (London School of Theology, London) and offers spiritual direction, leading retreats, small groups and teaching within the local church. “Through Selah – the community, the practices and learning – God has continued to bring real life; like a river always flowing, quenching a deep and often unacknowledged thirst.“

John French

Selah-East Faculty

A sabbatical with Eugene Peterson 31 years ago began John’s journey with spiritual direction, and for the last 16 years he has been offering individual and group spiritual direction to others. John began his professional life as an elementary teacher, went on to Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary with a MDiv. John trained as a spiritual director with Shalem Institute. Recently retired after 36 years as pastor of a Baptist Church, John continues to offer ministries of retreats, preaching, spiritual formation companionship, including spiritual direction supervision and facilitation of spiritual formation groups. John and his wife Janet live on the North Shore of Massachusetts involved in congregational life and using their home as a gathering place for people to experience God’s grace. They enjoy life with three grown children, their spouses, and five active grand-boys. John enjoys gardening, biking, skiing, body surfing and walking the beaches with his wife. John says, “My greatest joy is to watch people discover their true selves when they respond to God’s grace and love.”

John Hall

Selah-Anglican

John and his wife, Kathy, have 4 adult children and 6 grandchildren. Together they have served in pastoral ministry for over 40 years. It has been a path traveled with many twists and turns, but at every point God has met them with his love and grace. They both have a love for nurturing a younger generation of church planters, missionaries and pastors in their life with God. Over the past 15 years this has been a specific focus of their ministry while they have been directly involved in church planting and pastoral ministry. Recently, John stepped down as Rector of Christ the Redeemer to give more energy to developing a ministry, with Kathy, to those desiring to deepen their relationship with God. John enjoys being outside walking in the woods, college sports, trying to learn banjo and pottery, and reading. Recently, he has really enjoyed diving into Celtic Christian spirituality as he became a Novice in the Company of Jesus. John has a Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry from Westminster Theological Seminary in California and currently serves as an Assisting Priest at Christ the Redeemer in Clemson, SC. “In many ways I feel like I have just begun the journey with Jesus as he constantly surprises me. A significant part of my journey has been Selah, so it is a joy to give back a portion of what I have been given through Selah.“

Laura Hash

Selah-Europe

Laura, who never desired to be a missionary, along with her husband Dan, are founding members of Josiah Venture, a mission organization which exists to see a movement of God amongst the youth of Central and Eastern Europe which finds its home in the local church and changes society. She has an MA in Biblical Counseling from  CCU and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction through Selah with LTI. God has graciously called her towards walking with and discipling young leaders in many capacities over the 28 years they’ve lived in Poland which she loves. From teaching, spiritual directing, organizing silent retreats and caring for teammates, God is at work by his grace in her and through her. Laura and Dan are thrilled that their son and his wife also serve with Josiah Venture in Poland.

Cheri Hudspith

Selah-West Faculty

Cheri serves as a Supervisor to our Selah Interns. She is a graduate of LeTourneau University, (BS Accounting, 1989), Fuller Theological Seminary (Master of Arts in Theology, 2008), Selah Program, 2013. She and her husband Dave live in Flower Mound, Texas (Near Dallas), and have been faithful lay servants of the church since the early days of their marriage. They are blessed with a grown son, his beloved bride, and a grandchild. Cheri is still full of wonder that the invitation to leave her first vocation as a CPA led to life as a Spiritual Director. It is a privilege and a joy to help others, especially leaders, make space for their relationship with God. “Leadership Transformation has become a sacred home for me. A place to meet God, receive from God, and watch the Lord transform my heart and the hearts of those around me. If you are looking to be with people that really listen to God and respond out of that listening, this is the place to be.“

Grace Long

Selah-East Faculty

Grace is a native of Taiwan but emigrated to the U.S. to pursue her American dream. It turned out that God had a different dream for her and eventually called her away from America to serve in Central Asia as a missionary for a decade. She has had the immense privilege of witnessing the Triune God’s loving pursuit among the nations. Having served in ministry in various parts of the world for over 20 years, Grace has found spiritual direction to allow her the space to notice and embrace the loving invitation to keep walking with the Lord. Her longing is for her fellow travelers to also experience this beautiful – sometimes treacherous – and unhurried journey that the Good Shepherd leads us on. Grace is a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (MA Intercultural Studies) and Selah with LTI. As a side mission, Grace looks for affordable quality dark chocolates (70%+) to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea – sometimes sharing with a friend. Grace and her husband Damian and three kids make their home in the Boston area. “What a gift it is to be part of this transformative community! I feel like I’ve found my people. The hospitable nurturing space Selah (LTI) offers has allowed me and many others to become more present to God’s loving way.”

Dorcas McPhee

Selah-Europe

Dorcas is an artist, spiritual director, retreat leader, mother and widow. She lives in the Scottish Highlands with two of her children, another lives away. Her love of nature inspires her walk with God. Dorcas has a deep connection with the sea where she swims all year round. She is learning what it means to live an embodied life. She has a BSc in Zoology, has studied Montessori education and taken many online art courses. Her most shaping experiences have been motherhood, marriage and grief. She is a graduate of Selah Europe and has been part of a Renovare group for 18 years. She enjoys spaces where questions are held open and there is space for mystery and holding tension. Dorcas looks forward to holding nurturing space for others, and is excited to encourage creativity and wonder.

“I loved the four rhythms of Selah echoing the seasons of the year. I found this incredibly helpful along with the monthly examen to pay close attention to my life with God. I was also surprised by how much I enjoyed the practice of silence together.”

 

Dr. Douglas Mitts

Selah Senior Faculty & Associate Director, Selah-Europe

Doug’s interest in spiritual formation started in the early 90’s and only deepened as he served to facilitate church planters, first in Poland, and later across Europe. His education includes a D.Min. in Spiritual Formation for Ministry Leaders from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Selah, with LTI. He and his wife, Lisa, currently reside in the Dallas area, as Doug continues to assist people in their spiritual formation in GEM and accross Europe. Doug served as a senior leader with Greater Europe Mission for many years. In his leadership capacities, he established the spiritual life ministry within GEM and now serves on that team, providing retreats, workshops, and other resources to their missionaries. Doug also enjoys an active ministry of providing spiritual direction for ministry leaders across the globe. He and Lisa are the proud parents of two wonderful adult children. “LTI’s Selah program made beautifully concrete and phenomenally real the leadership and initiative of God the Holy Spirit today.“

Tamara Murphy

Selah-Anglican

Tamara is a spiritual director, writer, and author of The Spacious Path: Practicing the Restful Way of Jesus in a Fragmented World (Herald Press, June 2023). Her writing also appears in Plough Quarterly and two anthologies–Ordinary Saints (Square Halo Press), and On the Eighth Day (WestBow Press). She has worked in ministry roles for 25 years and is a lay leader within the Anglican Church of North America. Tamara lives with her husband Brian, an Anglican priest, in Bridgeport, CT. They are the grateful parents of four children and in the past few years have joyfully welcomed a daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and–in November 2022–their first grandchild. When she’s not walking along the Long Island Sound or playing with her grandson Julian, you’ll likely find Tamara taking a great nap. You can also find her at TamaraHillMurphy.com. “One of my greatest honors is to hold a safe and quiet space for directees to listen to the Holy Spirit, each other, and their own hearts.”

LuAnn Roberson

Selah-West Faculty

LuAnn is a Selah grad and serves as a Supervisor to our Selah-West interns. She is a tender of bodies and souls. A Spiritual Director after many years as a trauma and breast cancer nurse, she is familiar with life-altering circumstances and provides safe, compassionate accompaniment and healing space for individuals and groups. As Minister of Formation with MSW Ministries, she is creator and curator of the app, A Simple Pause, a collection of 5-7 minute contemplative spiritual practices that invite us to keep ourselves in the love of God, as we do life with God. She also serves in leadership with the Spiritual Formation Society of Arizona,  facilitating events that support leaders and learners in their journey toward Christ-likeness. LuAnn also offers Enneagram coaching, using the Christ Virtues approach from David Wu. LuAnn and her husband Mike, both Arizona natives, have been married 38 years, have two daughters, one son, and 3 delightful grandchildren. They enjoy rock-hounding, exploring epitaphs in cemeteries, and adventures with grandkids. (LuAnn loves chocolate and books, too)

“What a privilege to be a part of the Selah (LTI) community, as alum and faculty. Seeking and experiencing God and his good grace and presence alongside willing, thoughtful companions is a gift to my soul.”

Dr. R. Neal Siler

Selah Guest Faculty

Dr. R. Neal Siler, Senior Pastor of First Shiloh Baptist Church and President/founder of The Healing Place Center for Counseling and Spiritual Formation in Mechanicsville, Virginia where he practices clinical counseling and spiritual direction. He holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology, and a DMin in Formational Counseling. Neal is an adjunct professor in the Doctoral program’s Spiritual Formation track at Tyndale University Seminary and College in Toronto, Ontario, and Director of HCM International’s Spiritual Formation and the Art of Spiritual Direction Program in Ashland, Ohio. His wife Sharon is also a spiritual director. The Siler’s enjoy sharing life with two grown children, their spouses, and three grandchildren. Neal’s special interest is the efficacy of spiritual direction’s focus on spiritual and psychological wellbeing as it relates to systemic issues that create pain and brokenness for African Americans and marginalized people. “It has been a wonderful and welcoming experience to share my thoughts and insights, reflective of the experiences that I bring as an African American, with The Selah/LTI community.”

Laura Strunk

Selah-East Faculty

Laura is a spiritual director in Maryville, TN, where she lives with her husband, David, and their three spirited kids Lucy, Maisie, and Davey. The seeds of spiritual direction were planted at a precocious age in Laura’s life as she began engaging deeply in contemplative spiritual disciplines during high school and college thanks to the nurture of wise mentors. After receiving a BA in Psychology from the University of Tennessee in 2006, she accepted a call to ministry with Young Life near Denver. Laura has enjoyed various ministry roles over the years, and spiritual direction has been an unmistakable and natural part of them all. She says, “God led me to Selah through the Internet of all places! In His kindness, He was drawing me to a home I didn’t know existed with a tribe of others who speak my native tongue.”

David Vryhof

Br. David Vryhof

Selah Guest Faculty

Br. David Vryhof, SSJE, is an Episcopal priest and a monk of the Society of St. John the Evangelist in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He earned a Master’s degree from Gallaudet University and taught Deaf children at the Rhode Island School for the Deaf for several years. He also spent three years training teachers for the Deaf at the MICO Teachers’ College in Kingston, Jamaica. He entered the monastery in 1985. Following his initial monastic formation, he was sent to Duke Divinity School and then to the General Seminary in New York to complete a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1994. He has held a number of positions in the monastery, but most especially the role of Novice Guardian, responsible for the formation on new men who join the community. He is a widely-experienced teacher, preacher, retreat leader and spiritual director. He loves sports and actively follows the Red Sox and Patriots. “I consider it a great privilege to be working with the staff and students of the Selah program.”

Christine Warner

Selah-East Faculty

Christine serves as Supervising Faculty of Selah, LTI’s Certificate Program in Spiritual Direction. She is a graduate of Regent College (MA Spiritual Theology), UT Austin (MA Rhetoric/Applied Linguistics), and Selah. She is the Director for the Matthew 25 Initiative, the Anglican efforts to companion the vulnerable, marginalized, and under-resourced communities in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Christine is also founder/director of Lumen, a non-profit ministry for spiritual direction. Having grown up in Central America during civil war and natural disasters, Christine’s TCK-ness laces everything she does, seeing the world through the lens of God’s global people who will worship before the throne as every tribe and tongue and nation. Living in Canada and serving on the border with Mexico among the urban poor helps that lens. Christine and her family of six serve in parish ministry in Austin, Texas. Boba tea, Isaiah 25 & 58, and dappled-sunlit trees are good things. “My great joy lies in the spaces where contemplative activists are nurtured and inspired in soul care and their life in Christ while also engaged in acts of justice and mercy.”

Cynthia Fantasia

Cynthia Fantasia

Cynthia Fantasia served for 24 years as Pastor of Women at Grace Chapel, Lexington, MA and speaks nationally and internationally. Ordained in 2007, Cynthia earned a D.Min. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She currently serves as vice-chair of the Grace Chapel Elder Board. One of 15 pastors in North America selected to join a Templeton cohort, investigating the relationship between science and faith, Cynthia was the co-founder of GCScience – which now has an international internet following of over half million.  Cynthia is the author of “In The Lingering Light: Courage and Hope for the Alzheimer’s Caregiver” (NavPress, July 2019) chronicling her and her husband’s journey through Alzheimer’s Disease. She and her late husband have three adult children and five grandchildren. Long walks, great books, and seeing the world through the eyes of her grandchildren, fill Cynthia’s days with wonder and joy.One of her greatest passions is developing and nurturing leaders. “LTi is a great fit because of its dedication to leadership development. It is a privilege to serve on the Board.”

Richard Kennelly

Treasurer

Richard Kennelly has served on vestries, as a warden, leading Bible studies and on church property committees. He holds a B.A. with honors from Harvard University, a J.D. and a Master of Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia. Richard and his wife, Margery, a priest currently serving as Associate Rector at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Nashville, have two adult children and have been blessed in many ways over the years by LTI’s ministry. Richard is currently the Chief Teambuilding Officer at Team Concepts, Inc., a leadership development and executive team coaching company. He was a founding member of BigBelly Solar, an innovative cleantech startup, and served as an environmental advocate at Conservation Law Foundation in Boston. He is also an Olympic silver medalist in rowing, having competed in the 1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona games. “It is a true privilege to serve on the LTI board and an amazing gift to see how God’s transforming love is working through LTI’s various ministries in unique and vital ways.“

Graeme Mills

Graeme Mills

Chairman

Graeme Mills grew up in Australia, completing his Bachelors and Masters of Commerce at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. He is a Managing Director of Cambridge Associates, which provides financial investment management and advice. Graeme has been an active member of the Church of the Redeemer in Chestnut Hill, MA for over 20 years. He serves as Co-Chair of the Commission of Ministry for the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, the body responsible for evaluating, mentoring and qualifying individuals called by God to ordained ministry. Graeme and his wife, Debby, have three young adult children. Graeme has participated in numerous LTI offerings, including many years of Emmaus, during which he completed The Diana C. Bennett Certificate in Spiritual Leadership. He and Debby lead multiple Spiritual Formation Groups modeled on the small group experience at Emmaus. “I am a huge beneficiary of the life changing impact that LTI provides in deepening our walk with God. I am humbled by this call and by what I have seen God do through LTI’s development of spiritual leaders.“

Sage Paik

Sage Paik

Sage is a graduate of Boston College and has a Masters of Religion in Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary where she also worked at The Pierce Center for Disciple-Building. She has served youth and young adults for over 20 years through local church and parachurch ministries and was on staff with Leadership Transformations through its earlier years. She is grateful to be back with this important ministry and its team of brothers and sisters who listen and love well. Sage and her husband, Young, live in MA with their son, Timmy. “Whether on staff many years ago or on the board now, the priorities are the same inside and out. Listening to God and listening to one another. Caring for the soul. Enabling a deep life in Christ to produce freedom, discernment, humble obedience and fruitful service. It’s wonderfully heartening and rare to be a part of such a consistent, faithful and excellent organization.“

Richard Plass

Abide Guest Speaker

Rich has served in pastoral ministry and counseling for over forty years. He founded CrossPoint Ministry, where he provides pastoral counseling to Christian leaders. Rich is a graduate of Gordon-Conwell, M.Div. and Southern Theological Seminary earning a Th.M. in the Psychology of Religion, and a Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling. Rich and his wife, Sallie, live in southern Indiana and have six children and eight grandchildren. Richard writes, “It is a great adventure to serve with LTI seeking to care for and strengthen the souls of those who lead God’s people.“

Full bio at Crosspoint Ministry