Spiritual Direction
Contemplative listening and spiritual direction are at the core of who we are and what we do at Journey Center Great Lakes. With each person we encounter, we listen reflectively to people’s stories, with welcome and acceptance. We listen with a spirit of openness, care, and support, because people matter and their stories matter. We believe God is in all our stories because God cares so deeply for each one of us.
Tapestry of Spiritual Directors
The Way of Spiritual Direction at Journey Center Great Lakes is also a gathering place for spiritual directors to find a spiritual home, and a place where they can share and express their gift of holy listening, teaching, accompanying, and guiding on our shared spiritual journey. JCGL’s spiritual directors add flesh and breath to our framework and bring life to what we do and who we are.
If you are interested in learning more about spiritual direction, or are seeking a spiritual director, please reach out to Jennifer at jennifer@journeycentergreatlakes.org.
Meet our Core Spiritual Directors
Jennifer Andersson
Jennifer Andersson, LCSW, CSD, has been walking with people on their personal journeys for over 30 years. She began as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (1994), and then her focus on the whole person (mind, body, AND spirit) naturally drew Jennifer to becoming a certified Spiritual Director (2009) as well as a licensed pastor. It is through these avenues that Jennifer has worked with individuals of all ages, as well as couples and families at every stage of life, from birth to end of life. As a spiritual companion, Jennifer has experience with grief, loss, and trauma (including religious trauma); Ignatian Spirituality; spiritual formation; and discernment. She loves working with individuals and groups in personal as well as retreat and workshop settings. To learn more about Jennifer, go to enrichedself.com
Cristina Ferri
Cristina Ferri is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Spiritual Director, & Chaplain. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Divinity at Kairos University. Cristina seeks to create a safe environment for one to speak and be heard without judgment. She has a passion for working with people in recovery and applying her experience in trauma-informed crisis intervention, recovery coaching, and mindfulness meditation into her ministry. As a native New Englander, Cristina experiences God’s presence and grace throughout the natural beauty of the region and her two fur-babies. To learn more about Cristina, go to christinamarieferri.com
Patti Harrison
Patti earned her Certification in Spiritual Direction in 2007 from C. John Weborg Center for Spiritual Direction at North Park Theological Seminary as well as a certificate in Healing Care from Ashland Theological Seminary. In the many years of offering spiritual direction, it has been Patti’s privilege to journey with many amazing and diverse people and to witness the deep work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Patti has also facilitated multiple groups and workshops on topics of Prayer Practices, Spiritual Disciplines/Practices, Personal Prayer Approaches, Inner Healing, and the Spiritual Journey Process, as these provide a deeper way to experience one’s relationship with God It would b Ean honor for Patti to meet with anyone who is seeking to grow in their faith and in their relationship with God. She is available to offer spiritual direction virtually or in person (Farmington Hills, MI area).
Heather Monkmeyer
Heather Monkmeyer has been a spiritual director since 2002. She is a retreat leader, circle holder, artist, writer, teacher, and friend of the Journey Center. She holds a B.S. and an M.A. in Education, a Graduate Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction from SFTS, and is an ordained minister. Heather co-leads weekly writing circles for women, offers spiritual direction, supervision, and teaches in the Wellstreams Spiritual Direction program. She lives in Columbus, Ohio and Onekama, Michigan with her husband, Jim. They have two amazing daughters and a devoted German Shepherd, named Rilke.
Becky Przybylski
Rebecca holds a BA from BGSU and an MDiv from Ashland Theological Seminary. To continue to deepen her work in discernment and accompanying others on the transformational path Rebecca became a Certified Integral Professional Coach, a Certified InnerLife Skills Enneagram Coach, and has completed additional training in Ignatian Spirituality as well. A holistic approach to overall wellness and the Contemplative Christian lineage inform her life and work.
Having served in various leadership roles and settings for the last 20 years, Rebecca’s vocational experience includes associate and senior pastor positions; creating and facilitating experiential retreats, workshops and trainings; spiritual direction, consulting and coaching; facilitating mindful art experiences; and she has also worked for over a decade as a fitness instructor/coach. To learn more about Becky, go to alisteninglife.com
Additional Spiritual Directors in the Journey Center of Michigan community
In addition to our core spiritual directors, we have directors in the Journey Center Great Lakes community who participate in and offer their gifts to the community. Some of them are Megan O-Neil, William Mack III, Emily Conway, John Sullivan-Knoff, and Joe Muzzi.