Donna Sperry received her BSN from Graceland University and worked most of her nursing career in Emergency Medicine. She is a life-long member of Community of Christ, serving her congregation and Mission Center as worship leader, pastor, and spiritual formation specialist. After many years in nursing, she shifted her career focus to faith-based leadership and began work with the Central Mission Center of Community of Christ as a Spiritual Formation Minister. She expanded her education through certification in Leading Congregations in Contemplative Prayer from Shalem Institute, a Master’s in Theology from Saint Paul School of Theology, and a Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction from San Francisco Theological Seminary. She has been a Spiritual Director for 20 years.

Donna and her husband, Dave, are blessed with loving children and grandchildren who bring a great deal of joy to their lives. Much of their free time is spent supporting grandchildren in sports, music, and theater activities. Donna enjoys music, theater, knitting, and travel.

As a Spiritual Director, Donna feels honored to share in conversations with those who are exploring deeper connections with the Divine. She believes God shines through all aspects of life and continually seeks to bring us into greater unity within ourselves, with God, and creation.

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Katie Harmon-McLaughlin (she/her) received her Doctorate of Ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary with a focus on discernment and spiritual leadership, and a Master of Arts in Religion from Community of Christ Seminary. She received a dual certificate in Spiritual Direction and Spiritual Leadership from Pneuma Institute and is a trained labyrinth facilitator through Veriditas. She has worked in a number of roles including pastoral ministry, spiritual formation ministries, associate faculty in spiritual formation for Community of Christ Seminary, and is currently the Director of Formation Ministries for Community of Christ.

Areas of passion and emphasis include supporting young families on the spiritual journey, discernment and formation for pastors and leaders, facilitating communal discernment, navigating faith transitions, the intersection of contemplation and action, and ecological and feminist spiritualities. For Katie, it is a deep privilege to accompany others on the journey of spiritual deepening and she has trust in the presence of the Spirit at work in all the circumstances and seasons of life. She believes that God meets us wherever we are and however we arrive. She is also the mother of two young daughters, a dog lover, avid camper, and perpetual spiritual seeker.

*Katie is not seeing new directees at this time

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David strives to be a gentle guide and fellow traveler on the sacred journey. He holds a Doctorate of Ministry in Missional and Spiritual Formation from the Hazelip School of Theology at Lipscomb University. His deep love for spiritual companionship led him to complete a three-year Spiritual Formation and Companioning Program through the Community of Christ, where he now serves on staff. Currently, he is also engaged in a supervised practicum in Spiritual Direction, further nurturing his call to walk alongside others in their faith journeys.

His path has been rich and varied. Dedicating his life fully to ministry, he served both locally and internationally as a pastoral and administrative field minister and as director of human resources for Community of Christ. Prior to that, he completed a 30-year career in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a colonel. His service took many forms—pilot, strategic planner for global concerns, and diplomat—each shaping his understanding of leadership, discernment, and the sacredness of every moment.

 What brings David the most joy is creating spaces where others can pause, breathe, and encounter the presence of God. He believes in the power of sacred listening, in the beauty of slowing down, and in the mystery of God’s call in each of our lives. He would be honored to walk with you as you listen for the whisper of the Divine.

 To friends, he is simply “Big Dave.” He delights in camping under the stars, exploring new places, and cherishing time with his family and grandchildren. Wherever he goes, he hopes to carry a heart open to wonder and a deep desire to journey alongside others in faith.

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Spiritual direction or companioning is a process done together. As John Mabry says, we are both beggars searching for bread. I am there to meet you where you are in your spiritual journey and companion wherever that takes us. For some, that even means meeting them on the margins of their faith, full of doubt, wonder, anger, frustration, joy, or sorrow.

Personally, I find spirituality and the Divine in everyday life, nature, human relationships, even cooking, and so much more. I companion people of many faith backgrounds, those in faith transition or crisis, those who attend church regularly, and those who haven’t stepped foot in a space in years. May you know you are beloved and worthy, just as you are.

Among many things, I have experience in Ecospirituality/Nature-based, Spiritual Practices, Group Spiritual Direction, LGBTQIA+, Men's Issues, Mindfulness/Meditation, ministerial leadership, and Young Adults. I have a Masters in Religion from Graceland University, training in spiritual direction from San Francisco Theological Seminary, and am pursuing my Doctorate in Ministry from SFTS as well.

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Channin Daugherty received her BSN from Graceland University and her MSN from University of Alabama, Birmingham. Channin is certified as a Grief Educator. She worked 17 years in pediatrics, then the remainder of her career in Hospice and Palliative Medicine as a Nurse Practitioner. She joined Community of Christ in her twenties and has been active as contemporary worship leader, camp director, camp nursing coordinator, Sunday school teacher and Elder. Additionally, she created a community labyrinth for the San Jose Congregation in California. In retirement, Channin is changing her focus to Spiritual Direction Ministry and Grief support.

Channin is married to Michael Ray Daugherty and they now welcoming their growing extended family, savoring the blessings of grandchildren. Channin is grateful to be available to her children and grandchildren as they navigate this treasured time with newborns and toddlers. Her hobbies include gardening, cooking, camping and beading.

Channin believed that God is present in and treasures all of creation. Spiritual Direction is a safe and sacred space, held with the intent of exploring experiences in life, as the veil between the individuals and The Holy is lifted as they move towards wholeness and healing while experiencing the embrace of God’s tremendous love. Channin is in a Spiritual Direction certification program through Souljourners in Atchison, KS.

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Denise is a Spiritual Director, mentor, caregiver, clergy, gardener, artist, former chaplain and educator, devoted to her family and dedicated to deep listening and companioning people along life’s journey.  Her creative practice combines the beauty and wisdom of the natural world with awareness of life evolution, trauma, grief, as well as the healing potential of storytelling, watercolor, soul collage, poetry and prayer.

Denise has led and taught people of all ages, valuing the uniqueness and inherent worth in each individual.  Specifically, she has led camping programs, retreats, served in several faith communities, and worked in healthcare and hospice. She became a Spiritual Director in 2003, earning a Certificate of Spiritual Direction from Aquinas Institute of Theology.  In 2012, after completing a chaplaincy residency and supervisor training, she became National Faculty with ACPE (Association for Clinical Pastoral Education).  She holds ordination with the United Church of Christ and devotes time to Green Justice issues.  In  2021, she was humbled to receive the Steve Jeffers leadership award from the Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council.  Denise also enjoys hiking in national parks.

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Because I believe that each conversation is sacred when we allow it, I am compelled to intentionally offer space for deep listening. A space where another can tell their story and come to recognize their inner wisdom that walks in union with their loving creator. I am drawn to ecumenical and interfaith experiences that promote deep listening and learning. I have personally experienced the loss of long held beliefs and the continual rebuilding of my own story. I have served as pastor, youth leader, and leader in young adult ministries.

 I completed a three-year Spiritual Formation and Companioning Program through Community of Christ and currently serve on staff. I am in a three-year Spiritual Direction certification program from Souljourners at Mount Saint Scholastica, a Benedictine monastery in Atchinson, KS. I serve as a Human Resources leader for a healthcare system in Kentucky and Indiana.  

 My wife, Channin and I enjoy spending time with our adult children and our three grandchildren. We have a Goldendoodle that is full of life and a Yorkie that loves to bark at nothing and then rest. Channin and I like camping in our small 1955 Canned Ham style camper.

CONTACT MIKE