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. 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.
Dr. Christine McHenry
Dr. Christine McHenry is a retired Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Director of Medical Ethics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Chris has served on a number of institutional and organizational boards including Hood College in Frederick, Maryland, the Bioethics Network of Ohio, and the United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries. She has been a member of Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church (West Ohio Conference) for over 40 years and received a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio in 1998. In 2009, Chris completed the two-year Academy for Spiritual Formation at Bon Secours in Maryland, and in 2013, she graduated from a three-year training program in spiritual direction through the Sycamore Spiritual Center. In addition, she is a trained spiritual direction supervisor. Chris offers contemplative experiences and retreats and individual spiritual direction in the Cincinnati area.
Rev. Linda Kelly
Rev. Linda M. Kelly is an ordained elder in the California Nevada United Methodist Conference. She received her Master of Divinity degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1991 and her certificate in the Art of Spiritual Direction with the Sisters of Mercy, Burlingame/Bread of Life Center, Sacramento, CA in 2002. Rev. Kelly went on to complete her training in Supervision of spiritual directors at Mercy Center Burlingame, CA.
In addition to serving several churches as pastor (now retired), most of her ministry has been as the founder and director of Side-By-Side Spiritual Companions program, a listening ministry with those experiencing homelessness at Sacramento Loaves & Fishes, a homeless services organization.
She is a mother and proud grandmother, a pet lover, and spends as much time as possible communing with the Spirit in nature and wilderness settings while camping, kayaking, and hiking, or sitting in her backyard.
Dr. Ruth Cox
Dr. Ruth Cox is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Family Nurse Practitioner and Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She works with individuals, children, and families. Dr Cox is an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning through PATH. She is currently working with PATH to become a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. Soon she hopes to be certified to do Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
Dr Cox is a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in eastern NC. She is a Stephen Minister and is working to become a Leader. Dr Cox is also working to become a Spiritual Director through the NC Institute for Spiritual Direction and Formation. Presently, she is working with the Pastoral Staff related to Spiritual Formation for the congregation. Starting in Jan. 2025 she and another Stephen Minister will provide a course on different forms of prayer for the congregation.
Rev. Dr. Hubert Ivery
Hubert Ivery is a retired United Methodist pastor and spiritual coach who finds deep joy in helping people listen for the voice of Spirit in their own lives. His ministry of more than twenty-five years has focused on spiritual formation, pastoral care, and guiding others through times of change and renewal.
He holds graduate degrees in theology and pastoral studies and earned a Ph.D. in East–West Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. His integrative work bridges pastoral care, clinical pastoral education, and spiritual direction and coaching, drawing upon both Eastern and Western spiritual and psychological traditions.
As co-founder of the Center for Intentional Inclusive Community, Hubert accompanies others in discovering how spirituality can nurture justice, healing, and authentic community. A lifelong student of Howard Thurman’s wisdom, he helps individuals and groups find deeper freedom and connection through contemplative awareness, sacred listening, and compassionate action.
Rev. Dr. Bill Campbell
My love of nature began when my mother kicked me and my brothers out of the house so she could get some peace and quiet. From exploring the field and woods just beyond our backyard, to hiking trails across the United States and Europe as a boy scout, a campus minister leading students and as a solo hiker. Water has also competed for my attention, canoeing, fishing, teaching swimming lessons, standing watch as a lifeguard, scuba diving and swimming on a college swim team. Wet or dry the outdoors has always beckoned. Sometimes, I carry a camera and engage in contemplative photography. As a seven on the enneagram, adventure pulls me out to travel in location and mind. Some of my best times are talking a walk in the woods with my three grandchildren. The focus of my spiritual direction practice involves hiking, forest bathing and contemplation of nature.
After attending Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, TN as engineering major, I transferred to Lambuth University in Jackson, TN and graduated with a degree in Social Work. Bill received a Master of Theology degree from Southern Methodist University (Perkins School of Theology). Also, a Doctor of Ministry degree at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. Bill is an Eagle Scout. Bill is a Water Safety Instructor Instructor WSII for over 50 years and teaching swimming classes and lifesaving courses. In addition, Bill has been a certified Scuba Diver for 57 years. Bill is a certified Spiritual Director, having completed certification program at Southern Methodist University in 2015. In 2023 certification as a Forest Therapy Guide from the Forest Therapy School.
Bill is ordained as an Elder in the United Methodist Church. Over the years I served churches in Oklahoma, Texas and Tennessee. For almost 30 years, I served as the United Methodist Campus Minister at Middle Tennessee State University. Currently, retired from the Tennessee Western KY Conference. In addition to Hearts on Fire Board of Directors, Bill serves on the Board of Directors of MoreTreesBoro. Bill has served as the President – Interfaith Association Middle Tennessee State University; served on the Tennessee Conference Board of Ordained Ministry; the National Chair of the Executive Committee for UMCMA – United Methodist Campus Ministers Association; the Board of Directors for NCMA – National Campus Ministry Association; the Coordinating Committee for the Conference of European University Chaplains; the Board of Directors for Recycle Rutherford County; the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Conference Disaster Recovery; the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club; the Board of Directors of the Wisdom Tree Collective (a Spiritual Directors School).
Jan Hood
Jan Hood is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health therapist working in private practice and specializing in adult clients, especially older adults, with trauma and grief. She has worked across the human services field in program development, education, court administration for children and families, and as a nonprofit executive director. Jan is a Spiritual Director and certified by the United Methodist Church in Spiritual Formation. She has been a member of HOF since 2012 and engages annually with The Academy for Spiritual Formation in Five Day Retreats. In her local church in eastern North Carolina, Jan serves as a leader in Stephen Ministry, is a member of the Spiritual Formation Committee, and leads in the implementation and facilitation of Covenant Groups. She enjoys time with family and friends, reading, walks and meditations by the water, and dancing…of any kind.