Staff & Leadership
The Academy’s day-to-day operations are led by the Academy Staff at The Upper Room in Nashville, TN. The Academy’s Advisory Board offers spiritual guidance and wisdom to the staff and The Academy movement, helping shape strategic vision and priorities. Each Two-Year Academy is led by a Leadership Team comprised of a retreat leader, theologian, hospitality coordinator, covenant group coordinator, and worship leader. These are contract positions held by graduates of the Two-Year Academy who demonstrate the gifts and graces for Academy leadership. We are grateful for all who help lead The Academy throughout the world.
JOHNNY SEARS
Johnny came to The Upper Room in 2010 as the Director of The Academy for Spiritual Formation. He is a native of Kentucky and a layperson who holds a Master of Engineering degree from the University of Louisville Speed Scientific School. Prior to joining the staff at The Upper Room, Johnny spent twelve years as a specialist in product design and sustainable practices for Lexmark International. His ministry is driven by a deep passion to help people awaken to and embrace the contemplative life for their own transformation and, ultimately, for the healing of the world.
Johnny studied at the Baptist Seminary of Kentucky and is a graduate of the Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation (Academy #25). He is a certified Myers-Briggs Practitioner, certified Pastoral Counseling Specialist through the AAPC, an Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Qualified Administrator, and trained facilitator for the Confronting Whiteness experience. Johnny has also studied with Parker Palmer and the Center for Courage & Renewal to become a Circles of Trust® facilitator. He has published a number of articles for Weavings spiritual journal and has served as a retreat leader and spiritual director for various groups, including the Merton Institute for Contemplative Living.
Johnny lives in Nashville with his spouse and high school sweetheart, Becky. They have two sons, Ian and Asher. When not working, Johnny loves attending Nashville Soccer Club games, hiking, and driving his Miata roadster on twisty mountain roads as a spiritual practice of wonder and play.
STEPHANIE PINSON
Stephanie joined the Upper Room staff in April 2025 as the Team Administrative Coordinator for Upper Room Programs, managing the administrative operations for all of our program ministries as well as providing hospitable and relational customer service for our program communities. A native of Arkansas, Stephanie is a dedicated professional with a background in office administration and team coordination. She prides herself on being a strong communicator who is also highly organized and detail oriented.
Stephanie and her husband, Craig, have four children. They live in Nashville where they enjoy the unlimited supply of coffee shops and restaurants, shows at the Ryman and Tennessee Performing Arts Center, and Nashville Soccer Club matches. When not working, Stephanie likes to spend her time with family and traveling.
Advisory Board Members
Alison Boone, Philanthropist, San Antonio, TX
Amy Oden, St. Paul School of Theology, Oklahoma City, OK
Frank Rogers, Claremont School of Theology, Claremont, CA
Loyd Allen, McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA
Ruben Ortiz, Latino Field Coordinator, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Atlanta, GA
Luther Smith, Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Suzanne Seaton, Spiritual Director & Retreat Leader, Seattle, WA
"The Academy for Spiritual Formation is the finest and most comprehensive, ecumenical non-degree program in spiritual formation in this country."
"The Academy experience is one of sacred time and sacred space with a sacred process of coming to self, others, and God."
"The Academy is a beautiful example of the reconfiguring of Protestantism. It's the kind of thing I would hope to see happening more."
"The Academy gets to the heart of the church."
"The Academy has been a gift of time and space to learn how to be sustainable in ministry. There I could drink deeply from the well and be filled and discover once again that God's grace is sufficient."
"Jesus saved my life, but The Academy saved my ministry."
"The Academy for Spiritual Formation gave me the space, the time, the support, and the model I needed to learn again that God loves me deeply. This is my true story, and The Academy helped me discover it."
"The Academy provides one of the most holistic programs of spiritual nurture available today."
"The Academy offers a structured, supportive community in which Christians can learn Christian history as a resource for their own spiritual growth in the love of God and neighbor, take risks spiritually, and find the courage to submit to God for healing the very parts of themselves they most reject. I am committed to support it."