Spiritual Directors
Ted Nelson
My heart and passion is to create a safe space for men and women to experience a deep, abiding, transformational intimacy with God. I have been serving in various roles of shepherding, mentoring, intercessory prayer and spiritual direction for ministries, churches and individuals for over thirty years. In the last ten years I have increasingly been invited into more formal roles of intercessory prayer, spiritual direction and mentoring.
I have been blessed to have a personal spiritual director for over twenty years. It was through this journey that I experienced Abba’s invitation to walk alongside others in the same way. I have experience in many forms of contemplative prayer, including Lectio Divina and the Ignatius Exercises. As a spiritual director/guide/companion it has been such a joy and honor to walk alongside others listening, noticing and witnessing the ways God is present, speaking and moving in their lives. That is truly holy ground.
Jeff mcclain
Jeff has a heart for helping people grow in awareness of God's presence, activity, and love. With God, there is always more! Jesus calls it life abundant. Jeff and his wife Carrie founded Evergreen Pathways to help people explore the Spirit’s continual invitation to more through spiritual direction, coaching, and retreats. Jeff, Carrie and their three young children live in Boone, NC where they enjoy being outside, visiting the beach, and spending time together on the family Christmas tree farm.
Jeff was ordained to Word and Sacrament in the Evangelical Covenant Church in June of 2013. He served for ten years as Associate Pastor and Director of Congregational Care for Boone United Methodist Church in Boone, NC. Prior to serving the church, Jeff worked in the corporate world for ten years as a software engineer and manufacturing manager. In July of 2021, he received a certificate in spiritual direction from the Weborg Center for Spiritual Direction at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago. Jeff is in the process of becoming a certified executive leadership coach. If you would like to have a conversation about spiritual direction or coaching, please email Jeff at Jeff (at) evergreen-pathways.com
DavE Bonselaar
Dave pastors Bridge to Grace Covenant Church in Roswell, Georgia. He is a certified Interim minister through The Center for Congregational Health at Wake Forest University, and has been trained as a ministry and pastoral coach through the Reformed Church in America, and a certified Spiritual Director through The Cenacle—Our Lady of Divine Providence in Clearwater, Florida.
Currently, Dave is completing his Doctor of Ministry at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, where he is focusing on Ignatian spirituality.
Julia Styles
With over a decade of full-time ministry and a decade as a lay-leader, I have experienced many aspects of ministry and understand the stresses, challenges and blessings that come along with such positions. That’s why I enjoy serving as a spiritual director to ministers and church members alike. I get to carve out a safe and sacred space in the middle of life’s busy-ness for you to take a deep breath and rest in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
I have a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry and certificates in Spiritual Direction and Intercultural Studies from North Park Theological Seminary. In addition, I am certified as a leadership COACH with the ECC, and as an Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) consultant and have participated in the Antiracism Discipleship Pathway.
You can learn more about my spiritual direction practice and our Lent and Advent devotional resources at www.spiritualdirectionwithjulia.com. You can also contact me directly at: spiritualdirectionwithjulia@gmail.com.
John Kiemele
Spiritual Direction/Deep Listening matters!
From the Upper Great Plains to Canada to the West Coast to New England and now to the Florida Gulf coast, I have had the privilege of walking alongside individuals, clergy, congregations, classrooms, and community groups as a deep listener, encouraging heart-centered whole-person living in the way of Jesus. Experiencing how intentionally pausing and listening unlocks Life, I endeavor to hold space that welcomes and companions each person’s story, awakens us more deeply to God’s unconditional love, and gently evokes unique meaning-filled responses to the Spirit’s transforming invitations in every season of life. Along with my background in education and spiritual formation, I have completed programs in mindfulness, whole-person wellness, the Enneagram, and Mindful Self-Compassion. If you would like to talk further, please connect with me: kiemelejohn(at)gmail.com.