Who We Are.
Our Administration Team
Alyssa Bell
Co-Executive Director
Alyssa Bell is a pastor at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in Spokane, WA where she lives with her husband Matthew and daughters Theresa and Susie. While serving the church, which she loves, she pursues complimentary vocational avenues like teaching and spiritual direction.
She completed her Doctor of Ministry degree in Leadership and Spiritual Formation in 2021 (Portland Seminary) and the Spiritual Direction Training Program through the Companioning Center in 2022.
She completed her Doctor of Ministry degree in Leadership and Spiritual Formation in 2021 (Portland Seminary) and the Spiritual Direction Training Program through the Companioning Center in 2022.
Kathi Gatlin
Co-Executive Director
Kathi Gatlin co-founded the Companioning Center and founded Boldly Loved to bring together her two greatest passions: spiritual formation and teaching. Walking alongside others in their spiritual journey, whether individually or in groups, brings her immense joy. She loves sharing the contemplative life and exploring ways of understanding God with others.
Kathi is a trained spiritual director, supervisor, and educator. She holds a D.Min in Leadership and Spiritual Formation and an M.Ed.
Kathi is a trained spiritual director, supervisor, and educator. She holds a D.Min in Leadership and Spiritual Formation and an M.Ed.
Melodie Scalf
Community Administrator
Melodie is passionate about creating compassionate listening environments and encouraging personal growth. Living in Colorado, she values nature and promotes its benefits. Being in nature reduces distractions, helping us better perceive God’s influence. Melodie is a Spiritual Director completing the Spiritual Direction Training Program through the Companioning Center and is working on her Master’s in Spiritual Formation.
Our Board
Kathi Gatlin
Instructor
Board President
Board President
Kathi Gatlin co-founded the Companioning Center and founded Boldly Loved to bring together her two greatest passions: spiritual formation and teaching. Walking alongside others in their spiritual journey, whether individually or in groups, brings her immense joy. She loves sharing the contemplative life and exploring ways of understanding God with others.
Kathi is a trained spiritual director, supervisor, and educator. She holds a D.Min in Leadership and Spiritual Formation and an M.Ed.
Kathi is a trained spiritual director, supervisor, and educator. She holds a D.Min in Leadership and Spiritual Formation and an M.Ed.
Lynn Holt
Instructor
Board Secretary
Board Secretary
Lynn is gifted in preparing and supporting soul companions whose faithful response in these challenging times invites generous listening and a compassionate heart for the sake of the world. Her ministry is grounded in a contemplative posture of holy listening, surrendering to the Mystery with a sense of awe and curiosity, and the dynamic relationship of God's Presence.
Lynn is a Quaker and has received training as a spiritual director, supervisor, and educator. She holds an M.Div. from Portland Seminary.
Lynn is a Quaker and has received training as a spiritual director, supervisor, and educator. She holds an M.Div. from Portland Seminary.
Jean Nevills
Instructor
Board Director
Board Director
Jean Nevills' desire for God has led to adventures in contemplative wisdom and solitude, as well as mission adventures as far away as Ethiopia, South Korea, and China. Marriage and mothering, a family business, and community life are the natural arenas for ongoing spiritual transformation, spiritual practices, and living life with God in a Jesus way.
A Spiritual Director and Supervisor with a Master’s degree in Christian Education and Certificate in Spiritual Formation from the Renovare Institute, Jean has served as a Spiritual Director and Supervisor at Portland Seminary and a praxis instructor for Fuller Seminary’s DMin in Spiritual Direction.
A Spiritual Director and Supervisor with a Master’s degree in Christian Education and Certificate in Spiritual Formation from the Renovare Institute, Jean has served as a Spiritual Director and Supervisor at Portland Seminary and a praxis instructor for Fuller Seminary’s DMin in Spiritual Direction.
Jeff Savage
Instructor
Board Director
Jeff Savage is a spiritual director, retreat guide, and couples facilitator shaped by over 30 years of pastoral ministry and contemplative practice. He also serves as a spiritual director and faculty advisor for Portland Seminary. In each expression of his calling, Jeff finds abundant joy in holding space for folks to pay attention to their life in God. The values that center him in his vocation include hopeful trust, hospitality, attentiveness, and integrity.
Jeff is a trained spiritual director, supervisor, and educator with a D.Min. from Fuller Seminary.
Jeff is a trained spiritual director, supervisor, and educator with a D.Min. from Fuller Seminary.
Katie Skurja
Instructor
Board Director
Catherine “Katie” Skurja is the founder and director of Imago Dei Ministries. Her greatest passion is to accompany people in the journey of discovering who they are in their Imago Dei (image of God). Deeply rooted in and dedicated to Trinitarian principles, the ministry’s purpose is to help people everywhere engage in a Christ-centered healing process that transforms relationships with God, self, and others.
Katie has received training as a counselor, spiritual director, and in the work of inner healing prayer. She has received an MA in Counseling and an MA in Spiritual Direction.
Katie has received training as a counselor, spiritual director, and in the work of inner healing prayer. She has received an MA in Counseling and an MA in Spiritual Direction.
Our
Instructors
Our instructors are highly qualified spiritual formation professionals, who all create a spacious space in our virtual community.
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