Rev. Glynden Bode
Rev. Glynden Bode is an ordained Deacon (now retired) in The United Methodist Church, and was also certified by the UMC in both Spiritual Formation and Christian Education. She served on several church staffs in discipleship and formational ministries, and then in extension ministry with a varied ministry.
For over a decade, Glynden served as chair of the board of the Charis Spiritual Director Training Program, and previously served on the board of Texas Impact, an interfaith advocacy organization. She teaches, leads retreats, collaborates, travels with a canvas labyrinth for prayer, and occasionally preaches. Glynden is a wife, mother, and grandmother, and enjoys nature, knitting, reading, and being on the spiritual journey.
Rev. Dr. Linda Holbrook
Rev. Dr. Linda Holbrook is an ordained elder in the California Nevada United Methodist Conference. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University and her Doctor of Ministry degree from Claremont School of Theology. Her doctoral thesis was on forgiveness.
Rev. Holbrook received her spiritual director training at Perkins School of Theology. She is also certified in the Myers Briggs Type Indicator. Linda provides individual spiritual direction and retreats to churches and groups on spirituality, visioning, and leadership.
Rev. Ella H. DeDeaux
Rev. Ella H. DeDeaux is an ordained elder in full connection in the Mississippi Conference. Pastor Ella graduated from Emory University Candler School of Theology in 2013 with a Masters of Divinity (MDiv) Degree. She also has a Masters of Education (MEd) in 1985. Pastor Ella, after teaching for 29 years, retired in 2008.
Ella attended a two-year course, Journey Partners, in spiritual direction. Upon completion of Journey Partners, she was selected to facilitate a small group and be on the team for the nexttwo-year, Journey Partners. She attended Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary for a certification in Spiritual Formation and is approved from the General Board of Higher Education in Ministry.
She has served as mentor to those seeking spiritual discernment in the Seashore District of the United Methodist Church. She has taught Spiritual Formation through the Center for Ministry in the Mississippi Conference. She has also served on several boards and committees in her local community, the United Methodist Seashore District, and the United Methodist Conference level.
Rev. Brian Hardesty-Crouch
I’m a clergyperson of the United Methodist flavor. As the Director of HeartPaths DFW, I am privileged to teach contemplative prayer, lead in the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius, and train spiritual directors. I love accompanying the discovery of next phases of calling. I enjoy a quiet walk by the sea or a family hike in the mountains. Some favorite spiritual practices include lectio divina, journaling, Ignatian examen, and music. One of my joys is teaching spiritual formation with students at Perkins School of Theology (SMU) and Duke University. Any day that includes pizza is a pretty good day!
Rev. Jason Ellingson
Jason Ellingson is currently working on a Doctor of Ministry degree at Saint Paul School of Theology in Leawood, KS while also completing a graduate certification in spiritual direction through St. Catherine University in Minneapolis, MN. Jason currently serves as a part-time appointed pastor at Alden UMC in Alden, Iowa. Jason is also a community ministry organizer for New Beginnings Christian Church in Urbandale, IA.
Jason’s doctoral praxis project is how to embody vulnerability as a spiritual practice. He is eager to demonstrate how this authentic presentation of self is pleasing to the Divine. Further, Jason is in the middle of his practicum experience for spiritual direction. Finally, Jason originated a Spirituality in Nature Group (SING) in the fall of 2022 to focus on the presence of the spirit specifically in the prairie.