Retreat Leaders

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…

Paul Oman, artist and pastor, shares his Drawn to the Word artistic ministry with audiences ecumenically across the country.  He served as a science teacher, then Lutheran pastor when, in 2011, he took up work as an artistic pastor full-time.  Paul seeks to give new vision to God’s Word by using the process of painting to captivate audiences in our visually oriented culture.  Painting and drawing have been a part of Paul’s life since childhood.  Receiving national & international recognition…

Linda L. Rich, DCSW, LSW, CSAC has been an Institute for Healing of Memories facilitator since 2010 and chairs the board of IHOM-NA. As a social worker she has worked in a wide range of addiction treatment, mental health and medical programs. She served in military hospitals with the American Red Cross in Vietnam and in the U.S. She believes deeply in each person’s capacity to heal and to help others heal the wounds of the past. Linda is a…

Pamela Cornwell Chambers is lead facilitator for the Healing of Memories Workshop for Veterans and 1st Responders at Spirit in the Desert in Carefree, AZ.