Retreat Leaders

Margaret Fell has worked with Fr. Michael Lapsley and the Institute for Healing of Memories since 2007. She was one of the founding members of a working group of the Minnesota’s Warrior to Citizen Campaign which has offered the Healing of Memories workshops for veterans since 2009.  She served as Chair of the Institute for Healing of Memories-North America from 2011- 2014 and has been a Healing of Memories workshop facilitator since 2011. Margaret is an Episcopal priest.  She holds a…

Graciela Marroquin enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 18 in 1992, beginning as a plane captain. In 2003 Marroquin transferred into the Army National Guard, and in 2004 served a tour in Baghdad, Iraq, as a combat-medic and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. After serving 14 years in the military, she returned to her civilian job at a community mental health agency, while earning her Master’s Degree in Social Work. She now resides in Tempe, AZ where…

Ruth Ivory-Moore facilitates the retreat, Cultivating Climate Justice: Tools, Hope, Theology, and Spirit in March, 2023 at Spirit in the Desert.

Cyndy Warnier has worn many hats in her life, paramedic, dental hygienist, music/worship leader, author, and National Parks chaplain. Recently retired from Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, she and her husband Al are now full-time RV’ers and camp hosts, which provides Cyndy opportunities for outdoor ministry. In her spare time, she creates retreats of all kinds, including adult VBS programs and limited hospice chaplaincy. Cyndy loves teaching and reaching people with the love God and love for one another, including…

Ellie Roscher is the author of 12 Tiny Things, Play Like a Girl and How Coffee Saved My Life. Her writing also appears in the Baltimore Review, Inscape Magazine, Bookology Magazine, Church Anew and elsewhere. Ellie hosts the Unlikely Conversations podcast, teaches yoga at Up Yoga and teaches writing at The Loft Literary Center and the Minnesota Writing Project. Ellie holds an MFA in Writing from Sarah Lawrence College and an MA in Theology from Luther Seminary. Ellie’s book, 12 Tiny…

Hari Date facilitates the Executive Skills for Church Leaders retreat by California Lutheran University in January, 2023 at Spirit in the Desert.

With a breadth of experience coaching literally ALL kinds of congregations that flows out of his master’s degree in organizational development and strategic planning, Jim is masterful at helping leaders like you and organizations like yours. He’s also one of the most interested listeners you will ever meet. Jim cares deeply about helping your congregation move from the surface to Vibrant Faith. He is the author of “Surface to Soul,” a coaching workbook, and tends that movement on surfacetosoul.org, our coaching…

A life-long learner, Margaret Schroeder grew up in southern Minnesota on a family farm where she began her learning in a country school. This is also where her love of nature was first kindled. She began her formal education at St. Olaf College, and then transferred to the University of Minnesota where she received her BS. She began her varied career as a teacher, then transitioned into the financial services industry and finally to retreat leader and minister.  Along the way, Margaret realized…

Christopher Njunge facilitates the Executive Skills for Church Leaders retreat by California Lutheran University in January, 2023 at Spirit in the Desert.

Dave Ellingson, the Paddle Pilgrim, is leader for a Spirit in the Desert retreat adventure in Spring 2022 titled Go Outside at Play.

[Rev. Dr.] Robert Driver-Bishop has a transformational doctorate in spirituality and provides comprehensive spiritual direction and organizational guidance, and regularly leads workshops for churches, staff retreats, synod events, and national leadership gatherings. He is an Accredited Executive Clifton Strength Finders coach certified by Gallup, has advanced academic certification with Enneagram, and studies at Jung Center. Dr. Driver-Bishop is certified in only processes recognized by American Psychological Association and American Counseling Association and taught by psychology professor emeritus from Loyola Jesuit…

Dr. Regina D. Biddings-Muro is Vice President for University Advancement at California Lutheran University (Cal Lutheran). In this role, she leads a dedicated team of professionals who are expanding a culture of philanthropy among the University’s alumni, donors, staff, faculty, students, and friends. Prior to her appointment at Cal Lutheran in 2018, Dr. Biddings-Muro was Vice Chancellor of Institutional Advancement at Purdue University Northwest in Indiana. Before her promotion to Vice Chancellor, she served as Chief of Staff for eight…