I began looking into Spiritual Direction when I started to have questions surrounding my faith and the traditions I was raised in. I needed a space I knew was safe where I wouldn’t be met with judgment or someone who needed to “fix” me. Dave has been that for me. He is honest, grounded, and easy to connect with. Since starting with Sustaining Presence it's not that I’ve landed on a slew of life changing answers, but I’ve become more comfortable with articulating my questions and I’ve gained some valuable tools to help navigate an uncomfortable and unsettling season of life.

I came to spiritual direction hoping to regain some sort of relationship with God after several years of family illness and loss, which led to a season of generalized anxiety. After tackling my anxiety in therapy, I still felt like my faith was mostly bitterness and anger towards God. Luckily I found Dave. His presence is relaxed and calming, open to any mixture of emotions you might have about religion and faith. He doesn't dictate a direction; rather, he listens thoughtfully and helps pull out themes from what you share that help you determine your own next right step. Spiritual direction helped me shed my bitterness and return to a sense of openness toward faith and the divine. Today I view my faith as a lifelong journey of learning and relationship, rather than a 'yes or no' checkbox or a list of rules.

I have grown up in the church and the faith my whole life, and I was looking for a way to take my faith to the next level. I was recommended to seek out Dave as a Spiritual Director, and it has been an absolute blessing. Dave has provided a safe space for all conversations and has invited me to look beneath the surface. He has been helping me move beyond knowledge about God into a personal relationship with God. In the process, Dave has equipped me to do this work on my own so that it can be truly sustainable.

I was at a point in my life where I needed to process some life events and seek spiritual direction in what was next for me. My time meeting with Dave has been so valuable. He has given me the time and space to freely share my thoughts and feelings, while asking such pertinent questions at just the right times, which have led to spiritual growth. I've been able to see more clearly how God is working in my life and become more confident in God's leading.

I sought out Spiritual Direction because I felt a bit disconnected from God. The disciplines that used to make me feel close to God felt more like empty exercises. I was tired of going through the motions. I longed for more. Dave had a winsome way of guiding me away from striving in my own strength to receive the peace and presence of God. Dave is a good listener and discerned the right questions to ask to lead me to a greater awareness of how God is speaking to me in this season. God used Spiritual Direction with Dave to remind me of God's love and grace for me, to nurture a deeper trust in the Spirit, and to grow a holy indifference to those things that might distract me from loving Jesus and others well.

I wanted to find a space to seek God with the discernment and support of someone that I trust. In Dave, I found both, and a regular encouragement to my pursuit of following Jesus daily. Through spiritual direction I have found a greater sense of peace and contentment, as well as a deeper experience of God’s love for me, not for what I do, but because of who I am.

I sought Spiritual Direction as I found myself in a season of spiritual weariness, and I desired to have guidance from someone who would walk alongside me and challenge me in my relationship with Christ.My experience with Dave has been incredible. The way Dave intentionally slows down our conversations, focuses on breathing, and seeks the presence of the Holy Spirit causes me to become calm and creates a space for me to seek the Lord's presence. I have noticed my relationship with God has become more intentional and personal. In the spiritual weariness I was facing, I found it difficult to sense the nearness of God, but after meeting with Dave, I've noticed my prayers become more real and vulnerable with God. I'm seeing the Lord in a more real way, and I'm finding joy spiritually, again!