Fostering wellness and healing is a passion and call for Tammy Devine, Principal of Devine Coaching. From nursing, to parish nursing, to health and wellness ministry, she has helped foster health, healing, and wholeness in the lives of God’s people. Tammy has a Masters in Leadership from Luther Theological Seminary, and she is a Lutheran Deacon. She has served as the director of wellness for a long-term care facility, and until recently was the Wellness Manager for Portico Benefit Services, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). She is also trained as a coach and certified by the International Coaching Federation.
Tammy first became aware of Spirit in the Desert in the late 1990’s when attending a retreat with her diaconal community. She said, “The center felt like a special place for renewal, sabbath rest, and reconnecting with God.” Since that time, Tammy has led various retreats at Spirit in the Desert including Leading Well, a retreat for church leaders. She said, “The Leading Well retreat gives church leaders the opportunity to look at leadership in a wholistic way and strive to become healthier leaders.”
Six years ago Tammy was asked to use her leadership skills as a member of the Board of Directors of Spirit in the Desert. Her roles as a retreat leader and as a member of the Board of Directors are natural fits for supporting the mission of the center. She describes her role on the board as “a truth-teller focused on balancing the ministry of the center and its financial viability.”
Tammy said, “I believe firmly in the ministry of retreat.” She is confident that Spirit in the Desert will be offering more retreats in the future and serving more people. She said challenges faced by the board and the executive staff includes raising funds for scholarships and maintaining the center’s quality facilities. Tammy sees a bright future for Spirit in the Desert to continue providing healing and wholeness for all who participate in its programs.
Tammy is worship leader and one of the facilitators of the Leading Well Training Experience in November 2023, along with colleagues Jim LaDoux, Dcn. John Weit, Rev. Matthew Short, Rev. Jenny Sung and Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta.
Tammy facilitates the Boundless Compassion Program & Retreat at Spirit in the Desert in October, 2023.