Leadership

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  • Karl “Skip” Barkley II is serving as the first board chair of Deeper Journey Ministries. He has completed two stents in the School of the Spirit.  Skip is a retired family medicine physician who has practiced for over 30 years in Charlotte and North Mecklenburg. He is married to Cathy, and they live in Davidson, NC.  They have three grown children and are blessed with two grandchildren.

    Not only has Skip dedicated his professional life to medicine, but he has also shown a deep commitment to community service. A long-time active member of Davidson United Methodist Church, he has served the church on the Staff Parrish and Stewardship committees. He has participated in medical mission trips to Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, Cuba, and Belarus, and plans to return to Guatemala in 2025. In addition, he volunteers in tutoring elementary school students in reading through the Ada Jenkins Learn Works program.

  • Ann Starrette and her late husband, Tom, spent forty years in the printing industry before selling their well-known business. The sale allowed Ann time to commit to the work that fulfilled her soul. In 1998, she founded The Lydia Group, LLC, a retreat ministry anchored at Starrette Farm Retreat. She joyfully served seventeen years as the director of spiritual formation at Davidson United Methodist Church in Davidson, NC.

    Ann is a co-founder and a faculty member of School of the Spirit, a one-year spiritual formation retreat program for clergy and leaders. Ann holds a business degree from the University of North Carolina, a graduate degree in Spiritual Formation and Contemplative Direction from Richmont Graduate University, and studied at Shalem Institute. In addition to leading retreats, she offers individual and group spiritual direction. Ann sees her role as quietly sowing inner seeds of freedom, growth, and change toward wholeness.

  • Frieda Brown is a clinical psychologist with over 50 years of experience as a therapist, university professor, program developer administrator, supervisor, writer, and retreat leader.  Her passion for learning is reflected in her pursuit of a master’s degree from Duke Divinity School and certification in numerous psychological treatment approaches. Frieda attended the School of the Spirit twice and was instrumental in developing The Sacred Invitation, serving for six years as one of the retreat leaders.

  • Don Carroll is a retired spiritual director, Enneagram teacher and writer. He is a member of Davidson United Methodist Church where he assists in providing opportunities for people to develop an understanding and experience of Contemplative Christianity. He is a former long time teacher and leader in the School of the Spirit. He has extensive background in counseling, coaching and the 12-steps from his work in the mental health and addiction field as Director of the North Carolina Lawyer Assistance Program. He is a co-founder of the Wesleyan Contemplative Order and an active participant in its ministry. He and his wife Cristy live in Davidson where they lead a weekly Centering Prayer gathering.

  • Lisa Anderson is an Associate Director of Investments and a Financial Advisor with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. Prior to joining Oppenheimer, Lisa was President of Anderson Financial, Inc. for 24 years. As a native of Greensboro Lisa is deeply committed to her community. She was named as the Kathleen Price Bryan Award recipientn 2013 recognizing her outstanding leadership and service to the Greensboro Community. She has served as an Elder at First Presbyterian Church, and is currently serving on the Adult Formation Committee. 

    In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. Lisa is a graduate of two Deeper Journey Ministries programs, School of the Spirit and The Sacred Invitation. We welcome her service to the board.

  • Jody Seymour is the co-founder, Senior Advisor, and contributor to the School of the Spirit. He is a spiritual director and works with Davidson Clergy Center on Clergy renewal. Jody is the author of eight books, a prolific poet, and a certified Enneagram instructor with a rich history of service. He is also a retired United Methodist minister who served as a pastor for fifty-two years in the Western North Carolina Conference. His diverse experiences have shaped his understanding of spiritual guidance. He and his wife, Betsy, have two daughters.

    Jody's passion is palpable. He shares, "My passion is to take the old story and make it come alive. I love to help people formulate questions of faith before we ever get to the answers. The spiritual pilgrimage is not only about 'having arrived,' but about experiencing the journey and seeking to understand the challenges that come with such a journey." His words inspire and motivate others to join him on this profound journey.

  • Donna Taylor is a Certified Coach with Fulfillment Coaching & Consulting, LLC, a company she founded in 2014 after retiring from 30+ years as a CPA and Partner in a public accounting firm. Donna heard God’s calling to follow her purpose of encouraging others to live authentic joyful lives, which she fulfills through coaching and mentoring. 

    Donna enjoys cooking fresh foods and living a healthy lifestyle spiritually, mentally and physically. Donna and her husband Bob (also a CPA) enjoy sharing their competitive passion for NC State football and basketball with their adult daughter. Donna and Bob are members of Davidson United Methodist Church where they both sing in the Choir.

  • Beth is a retired ELCA Lutheran pastor who spent the last 25 years of her ministry as an Assistant to the Bishop of the NC Synod (three bishops, actually) with responsibilities primarily in the areas of supporting candidates for ministry, working with congregations in call process and conflict, and sexual misconduct prevention and response.  She and her husband Doug have their retirement home at Lutheridge Camp and Conference center, south of Asheville, where she gardens, volunteers at camp, and enjoys being a regular member of a congregation.  She and Doug have also led a cohort of Sabbath Life, an ecumenical program for ministers sponsored by the Duke endowment.

    Beth very much appreciated her two years of the School of the Spirit, as have the several Lutherans she has encouraged to attend.  She looks forward to learning more about Deeper Journey ministries and sharing in that work.

  • Chris Davis has long history serving The United Methodist Church and affiliated organizations since the 1980s. He also served is board chair of Hospice and Palliative Care, Charlotte Region, now known as VIA Health Partners. He is presently honorary board member of the United Methodist Foundation of WNC. He serves the fiduciary committee of Wespath Benefits and Investments, serving Methodist clergy retirement and affiliated Methodist institutions. He and his wife, Robbie, are members of Davidson United Methodist Church. They live in Davidson, NC, on their farm with their horses and dogs. They had two sons and six grandchildren. Chris is a member of the Sofia Band of the Wesleyan Contemplative Order.