CFDM Regional Network -SOUTHWEST-

The Rev. Debra Asis, M.A., M.Div.
St. Barnabas on the Desert
Scottsdale, AZ
Dasis@saintbarnabas.org
480 355 9751
480 695 5921

Debra’s journey has been like a meandering river, or perhaps you could just call it twisted. She has been in the Church and out of the Church, Presbyterian and Taoist, Anglo-Catholic and Evangelical. No matter the twist or turn along the way she has always been in conversation with God. For twenty plus years Debra has lived a contemplative life. The bookends of her day are prayer, with exercise, work, walking and engaging the scriptures in-between. It is especially life giving for her to be in nature. She loves to paint, dance, ski and occasionally write poetry. She finds time in nature to be especially life giving and delights in her new role as GiGi with her grandson Alec. Debra has navigated several careers including researcher, psychotherapist, program designer and single mom. Her ordination to the sacramental priesthood of the Episcopal Church in 2010 marked the culmination and integration of her life steeped in the Holy Spirit. She hopes for God’s kingdom already not yet.

Debra lives in Scottsdale with her cat, Zachariah, where she serves as a priest at the Episcopal Parish of St. Barnabas on the Desert. Debra is actively developing their programs for Christian Formation and the training of Spiritual Directors. She has a breadth and depth of experience in creating and implementing formation opportunities and programs for churches and religious groups, including leading single day and extended retreats and equipping and supervising lay and clergy as spiritual directors.

Spiritual Direction: A Ministry of Accompaniment

“We humans tend to imagine that it is up to us to work out our salvation. But no matter how hard we try, we trip all over our selves. Rather than succumb to a theology of despair, as Christians we are blessed with good news: Although it is impossible with humans “…all things are possible with God.” So Jesus invited the disciples and invites us today to work out our salvation in relationship with God. All things are possible when we are in intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This is what the ministry of spiritual direction is all about. It is a ministry of accompaniment; of accompanying people as they deepen their relationships with each other and with God."

A first CFDM-Southwest two-year Certificate Program in Christian Formation and Spiritual Direction began in October, 2011 at Saint Barnabas on the Desert Episcopal Church in Scottsdale, Arizona. A second training begins in January, 2014. See the information/application packet attached below.