Called to Flourish: Stories of Transformation

Formation rarely happens all at once. More often, it unfolds through faithful listening, intentional practice, and companions who help us recognize God's voice along the way.

We're sharing stories from four spiritual directors in training–Dr. Jon Dahlager, Angela McCullough, Kathryn Garner, and Dr. Curtis Pryor–whose journeys offer a glimpse into the transformative work God is doing through our Spiritual Direction Certificate. Their reflections remind us that spiritual direction is not simply a ministry skill—it is a way of becoming more attentive to the Holy Spirit and more present to others.

From Dr. Jon Dahlager

My wife Jennifer and I have been AGWM missionaries in Costa Rica for 26 years, and we have been involved in all kinds of ministry, including church planting, seminary teaching, NextGen training, pastors' kids ministry, working with unreached indigenous people, and training new missionaries. I have come to understand that a common denominator in all of these ministries, and what I love most in them, is "spiritual friendship," helping others listen to the Lord and discern His leading in their lives. 

When Dr. Mark Hausfeld, a longtime friend, started talking to me about spiritual direction several years ago, I was curious and began reading some of the literature in the field. When I started receiving spiritual direction with Mark, I realized that he had created space in his life for me to meet with the Lord, especially through contemplative prayer and intentional ordering of my discipleship. This is the kind of spiritual formation I want to reproduce in my circle of spiritual relationships, and when the Institute for Ministerial Wholeness announced its certificate program in spiritual direction in relationship with AGTS, I was in. 

The cohort classes have led us to reflect deeply on the contemplative disciplines and to be intentional in every part of our spiritual formation. Personality traits, life journey stages, families of origin, and church backgrounds all influence our current experience of God, and spiritual direction education helps us bring it all to the Lord, first for our own growth, and then for people in our ministry circles. 

If you regularly find yourself listening deeply to others, helping them discern the Lord's presence and guidance, perhaps a spiritual direction program like this is for you. 

From Kathryn Garner

I am overwhelmed with how much the Lord has taught me since I began spiritual direction. Having someone to help me make space to hear from God, to listen to the Holy Spirit with me, and encourage me to develop a Way of Life that makes spiritual growth an integral part of every aspect of my life has been transformational! 

The Lord led me to train as a spiritual director to help others find the healing and holistic peace I have found as I grow closer to Him. The reading for this program has broadened and deepened my understanding of spiritual formation. Our cohort is comprised of exceptional people who love God deeply, and it is a privilege to learn with them and from them. Our class meetings are spiritually rich, and our cohort provides a supportive and trustworthy environment to learn and practice. 

As Christians, we all want our relationship with the Lord to grow deeper. In our busy lives, we all need to make space for the Lord to speak to us and guide us, drawing us closer to Him. I am incredibly thankful for God’s gift of spiritual direction and would encourage others to make this practice part of life. If you feel called to develop deep relationships with God and others, prayerfully consider joining the next spiritual direction cohort. 

From Angela McCullough

My life has been so enriched by being a part of this Spiritual Direction cohort. Not only have I drawn closer to Jesus, but I have been blessed by the life-giving community of fellow ministers who yearn for more of Christ. 

The holistic approach has been spot on.  The reading and class time have given me the tools needed as I move forward in my current ministry context and in preparing me for my future as a Spiritual Director. I am so thankful I jumped in with both feet one year ago and am looking forward to year two in this wonderful cohort.  

From Dr. Curtis Pryor

The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves. – Thomas Merton

The above quote is the first thing in my notes for Session 1 of our retreat. Mark Hausfeld followed up by saying, “Perhaps the beginning of spiritual formation is allowing God to reveal our true selves as He created us to be.”

As the retreat progressed, I was challenged by the idea of discovering both my false and true self. At first, I was slow to catch on – I think because I am so used to the things I say to myself or think about myself, I assume them to be true. From the interaction in our group, I was not alone in this observation.

I also found it liberating and powerful to work through these concepts in our Coracle (the name of our cohort), together in community. Mark rightfully explained how important community is to spiritual formation.

I loved the way we learned what questions our false self asks, motivated by self-protection, etc. Things like: Am I enough? Am I acceptable? Am I safe? Am I valuable? And so many others.

We worked together on discovering the difference between our true self and false self through the filters of body, mind, soul, spirit, and vocation. This exercise allowed us to identify attitudes and practices that can help us find wholeness in Christ, as our true selves, beloved in His sight....My experience at the retreat confirmed my desire to pursue spiritual direction, teaching me many new things and reinforcing much that I have already been reading about and practicing.