The Discerning Leader podcast is for Christian leaders who are interested in discovering the joy of “practicing a preference for God” in all aspects of their personal lives and relationships, their leadership and service to others.

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The Discerning Leader Podcast

Jenn Giles Kemper | Your Discerning Life Story, Episode 12

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Jenn Giles Kemper

“What if the things that bring you joy are an arrow pointing you to God?” – Jenn Giles Kemper

Jenn Giles Kemper is the Founder of Sacred Ordinary Days, offering intentional spiritual guidance for those desirous of a wholistic life in Christ. They create tools and curate resources for a global community of ecumenical believers. Jenn’s a contemplative entrepreneur with a heart for the health and vitality of the body of Christ. She’s creative, insightful, and willing to take risks courageously and prayerfully. A trained spiritual director, Jenn organized the Sacred Ordinary Days planner for those who prefer a tactile prayer experience throughout the liturgical year. When asked about how she fosters a discerning life, she encourages us to know yourself and give yourself permission to be yourself, to create space, become more aware, learn to live life more open handedly, and see prayer as a doorway into a relationship with God. 

Steve Macchia (Podcast Host)
Founder and President of Leadership Transformations
Steve is the author of The Discerning Life,  Becoming a Healthy Church, Broken and Whole, Crafting a Rule of Life and several other titles. Steve has over 40 years in ministry and two postgraduate degrees from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Jenn Giles Kemper (Season Eighteen Episode 12 Guest)
Minister, Spiritual Director, and Founder & CEO of Sacred Ordinary Days
Jenn is a minister, spiritual director, and the founder and CEO of Sacred Ordinary Days, an organization offering companionship and guidance in intentional Christian spiritual formation. She is an experienced leader, teacher, and speaker, and her vision inspires and propels others forward. She relishes a challenge, values learning, and loves being at a growth edge. Jenn is also a lover of color, hospitality, sunshine, shared meals, and life together. She and her husband, Grant, enjoy a full and adventurous family life with their three young sons in Waco, Texas.

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Steve Macchia

Founder & President

Steve is a graduate of Northwestern College (IA) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div. and D.Min.). His prior ministry includes serving on the pastoral staff at Grace Chapel (Lexington, MA) and as president of Vision New England. Since July 1, 2003 Steve has served as founder and president of Leadership Transformations, director of the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building, and adjunct faculty in the Doctor of Ministry department at Gordon-Conwell. He is the author of sixteen books, including The Discerning Life (Zondervan Reflective),  Baker bestseller Becoming a Healthy Church, and Crafting a Rule of Life (IVP). He lives in the Boston area with his wife Ruth and is the proud father of two grown children, Rebekah and Nathan, daughter in-love Ashley, and papa to his beloved granddaughter, Brenna Lynn and twin grandsons, Aiden Joseph and Carson Stephen. “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

Mitzi Mak

Selah-West 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.“