Shannon Leadbeater
Email: deeplyrootedspiritualdirection@gmail.com
Location: Port Coquitlam, BC
Method: In-Person or Virtual
As a Spiritual Director, trained through Emmaus, my desire is to help you pay attention and respond to God’s invitations and activity in your life. My approach is to pay attention to you and the Holy Spirit without agenda, to listen and linger with what resonates, to observe and offer questions and spiritual exercises as appropriate, to create space to hear from God directly, and to be a prayerful presence as you discern God’s transforming love, grace, truth, and leading in your life. I live in a suburb of Vancouver, BC with my husband and 2 children and love to read, walk and kayak.
Auke Algera
Email: a.a.spiritualdirection@gmail.com
Location: Fraser Valley, BC
Method: In-Person
Auke Algera is a graduate of Emmaus Formation Centre. He serves as a pastor in the Evangelical-Protestant tradition and brings with him nearly twenty years of pastoral experience. He believes that every person is in a process of spiritual formation. As a spiritual director he wants to help you make sense of your faith journey and grow in your relationship with Christ. He offers time and space to help you discern how God is present with you and how the Spirit is working in your life. Auke offers spiritual direction in the Fraser Valley in British Columbia.
Dan Armishaw
Email: danarmishawmba@gmail.com
Location: Mississauga, ON
Method: Virtual
Dan has served in several congregations in a wide range of roles including elder and small group leader. A passion for Christlikeness led him to Emmaus Formation Centre where he completed the three-year spiritual direction certificate. He looks forward to meeting with men who desire a deeper relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Tracey Bagley
Email: traceylynnbagley@gmail.com
Location: Hamilton
Method: In-Person or Virtual
Tracey is a spiritual companion who delights in helping people notice the quiet ways God meets them in everyday life. Her gentle, creative approach creates space to slow down, listen deeply, and explore questions or longings without pressure or judgment. Trained at the Emmaus, and shaped by years in social work, theology, and ministry, Tracey brings both compassion and practical wisdom. She loves the moon, the colour red, and conversations that open the heart. Living in Hamilton with her husband, Jim, Tracey welcomes anyone seeking a safe, encouraging place to grow in faith and feel deeply seen.
Tracey offers both online and in-person sessions (Hamilton area).
Paul Bains
Email: paulbains30@gmail.com
Location: Surrey, BC
Method: Virtual
Does your heart long for deeper fulfillment? Have you been spiritually faithful and attentive, yet parts of your life still feel heavy, dry, or repetitive? I offer a prayerful, mindful presence—a space where you are deeply listened to and gently accompanied. Together, we notice how God is already at work in your story, and we explore how the Holy Spirit invites you to respond. Rooted in years of formation in counselling, spiritual care, life coaching, and leadership, I walk alongside you as you slow down, listen more closely, and live more fully into God’s love and purpose.
Sharon Beattie
Email: bydesign.sharon@gmail.com
Location: Barrie, ON
Method: Virtual
Sharon is a compassionate, empathic listener who delights in helping people connect more fully to God. She loves to accompany others on their spiritual journey and to help them understand God’s immense love and goodness in their lives. She creates a gentle, nonjudgemental space for people to share safely and openly. Sharon delights in coming alongside anyone honestly seeking to connect with God and, in particular, women in all stages of life – single, married, in school, raising children, grieving, in transitional stages, moms of LGBTQ+ children, or those within the LGBTQ+ community.
Carol Bell
Email: carollucillebell@gmail.com
Location: Kitchener-Waterloo, ON
Method: In-Person or Virtual
At the heart of Carol’s ministry is the ability to create a safe place of trust and confidentiality for deep listening to your life story, while also listening deeply for the movement of the Holy Spirit in your situation, seeking to help you find renewed joy, hope and rest in your relationship with God.
Carol offers both Individual and Group Spiritual Direction (3-4 people) in an option of online or face to face meetings. She lives in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.
Carol is an Emmaus graduate and brings 30+ years of leadership experience in the Christian, evangelical tradition. Her specialized areas are in Hospital Visitation, Grief, Cancer Support, Divorce Support and Mental Health struggles and Suicide Intervention.
Tom Bell
Email: tomlesbell@gmail.com
Location: Hamilton, ON
Tom Bell worked for Toronto Hydro for 31 years before joining the staff of The Meeting House as an associate pastor where he focused on pastoral counselling and spiritual direction, as well as providing support in other areas. He has a BASc (Electrical Engineering)(U of T, 1970), an MBA (U of T, 1979), and an MTS (Tyndale, 2007).
He trained in spiritual direction and supervision at Tyndale Seminary and is currently in the Emmaus Supervision Program. Tom provided spiritual direction in the church as well as in private practice and has provided individual as well as group supervision.
Robynn Bliss
Location: Port Colborne, ON
Method: Virtual
Robynn’s greatest joy is to come alongside and bear witness to how God might be bringing redemption, healing and hope. As a Spiritual Director she feels like she has a front row seat to the glory of God at work in people’s stories! Robynn received her Spiritual Director training through the Souljourner program (hosted by Benedictine College) in Atchison, Kansas. Robynn and her husband, Lowell, moved to Port Colborne, ON in 2018. They have three fabulous adult children. Robynn loves hot beverages and deep conversation. She cries easily and laughs loudly! You can find her online at: robynnjoybliss.com
Michelle Bodle
Email: michelle@abideinthespirit.com
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Method: Virtual
Michelle is a graduate of the Center for Spiritual Formation Spiritual Direction Program, Drew University’s Spiritual Formation Certificate Program, and Fordham University’s Supervision of Spiritual Directors Advanced Certificate Program, in addition to a Mdiv and Dmin. She has served for over a decade as a pastor in the United Methodist Church and spiritual director. She now creates sacred spaces of holy listening through Abide in the Spirit, www.abideinthespirit.com, in addition to her vocation as a pastor.
Karen Bott
Email: karenbott1@gmail.com
Location: Gorrie, ON
Method: Virtual
As a spiritual director, Karen provides a hospitable and welcoming place to discover, discern, renew, and question one’s relationship with God. Having navigated many storms throughout her life, she understands the value of having a spiritual friend to walk alongside, to provide confidentiality, hope, a deepening walk of faith, and how to live out one’s calling in everyday life.
Karen has been on staff at Youth For Christ, Canada, for approximately twenty years. She understands the challenges and blessings that come from a life of vocational ministry and is uniquely positioned to walk alongside those in parachurch ministries.
Paul Bramer
Email: pbramer@gmail.com
Location: Kitchener, ON
Method: In-Person or Virtual
I am trained as a Spiritual Director through Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation and have a part-time spiritual direction practice (www.formationinsights.org). I have studied analytic psychology and dreamwork and have a doctorate in Christian education from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. I am retired as a professor of Christian Formation and Leadership at Tyndale Seminary, Toronto. I have also taught in Emmaus Formation Centre’s Spiritual Direction program. I am ordained in Evangelical Covenant Church.
Lisa Brewitt
Email: lbrewitt@gmail.com
Location: Oshawa, ON
Method: Virtual
Lisa is both a pastor and spiritual director who loves helping people grow in their capacity to discern and experience God’s love, direction and empowerment and in their freedom to respond with greater faithfulness. She especially enjoys working with pastors and ministry leaders across denominations and ministry contexts. As a self-proclaimed “Bapti-Costal”, she brings to spiritual direction a strong grounding in God’s word and insight into the Holy Spirit’s movements. Lisa has a Master of Divinity (Pastoral Studies) from Tyndale Seminary and a certificate in Spiritual Direction from Emmaus Formation Centre.
Leanne Cabral
Email: leannecabral@icloud.com
Location: Toronto, ON
Method: Virtual
Leanne is a graduate of the 3-year Spiritual Direction Certificate program at Emmaus. She is passionate about coming alongside others, inviting them to slow down and create space to connect with their soul and Creator so they can intentionally respond to the gifts, stirrings and calling He has placed within them. Her authenticity and gentle approach creates the kind of atmosphere that makes delving into this subject safe and comfortable.
Leanne is the creator of Bringing Faith Home speaking series and the author of A Parent’s Best Gift. She lives just outside Toronto with her husband James and their four kids.
Lynn Canby
Email: canbyhl@gmail.com
Location: Vancouver, BC
Method: In-Person or Virtual
Lynn provides a welcoming, prayerful, and confidential space where individuals can slow down, notice God's presence in everyday life, and deepen their relationship with Him.
Lynn completed the Spiritual Direction Learning Community (SDLC) formation program, including training in evocative and contemplative practices, and has also completed the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Recently retired after more than 22 years in a Christian Counselling Centre, she now devotes her time to spiritual direction and retreat ministry. Lynn is an active member of ESSD and serves on the executive committee of the Emmaus Society of Spiritual Directors.
Andrea Chang
Email: andrea@anchorandserenity.com
Location: North York, ON
Method: Virtual
Andrea is a Spiritual Director and Transformation Coach with an MTS in Spiritual Formation. She truly cares for people, and will walk with you as you discern what is next and how to accomplish it. Being a spiritual director is like being a midwife, someone who assists others in giving birth to a deeper relationship with God. As she journeys with you during this season of life, Andrea’s prayer is that you will be able to hear God through all the noise, learn how He speaks to you, discern what He wants for your “right now” and trust Him for your “not yet”.
Phil Cole
Email: phil2vs13@gmail.com
Location: Woodstock, ON
Method: In-Person or Virtual
As a former Baptist pastor, and as a trained Christian counsellor with the spiritual gift of teaching, Phil has a strong foundational knowledge of Scripture. In 2013 when God directed him to the practices of spiritual formation, it opened a new gateway into his heart that allowed his training to harmonize with the spiritual awareness of God’s presence. As a result, the Spirit of God has been allowed new freedoms to lead and transform him into a man who is daily discovering a richer joy and purpose in the Christian journey.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Religious Education (Emmanuel Bible College);
Bachelor of Theology (Emmanuel Bible College);
Bachelor of Arts – Sociology (Waterloo University);
Master of Arts – Counselling (Providence Seminary);
Certified Spiritual Director with CCPC global.
Aneta Coulter
Email: anetac59@gmail.com
Location: BC
Method: Virtual
Aneta is a graduate of the Emmaus Spiritual Director training program. She is committed to creating an honest, compassionate, contemplative listening space for those seeking to deepen their spiritual life. Her desire is that they would become more aware of God’s constant loving presence in their actual everyday lives. She is a wife, mother, grandmother and retired homeschooler. She loves a good book, coffee with friends, laughing with her grandkids, and spending time outdoors. Aneta lives in the interior of BC.
Ken Dryden
Email: theotherkendryden@gmail.com
Location: Calgary, AB
Method: Virtual
Ken and his wife, Vera, live in Calgary, AB, Canada. He brings his love for Jesus and skills in listening deeply to the role of spiritual director. His heart is to come alongside others as a companion in discerning the work of God. In his work as a spiritual director, he trusts in the Holy Spirit, who is the true spiritual director in our lives.
Ken has 28 years of pastoral ministry experience, as well as experience as a Regional Director for Alpha Ministries Canada.
Aukje Dykstra
Email: aukje.dykstra@gmail.com
Location: Georgetown, ON
Method: In-Person or Virtual
Aukje believes God is present and active in every moment of life and sees immense spiritual benefits from pausing and reflecting. She delights to listen to your journey and together with you, explore what you bring with holy curiosity, desiring that your relationship with God grows deeper. She has also trained to accompany people through the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius.
An acute awareness of the bountiful grace she herself needs, enables her to offer a safe space to share and explore God’s work in your life. She would be honoured to be a spiritual companion on your journey.