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 is a native of Kentucky and a layperson who holds a Master of Engineering degree from the University of Louisville. Prior to joining the staff at The Upper Room in July 2010, Johnny spent twelve years as a specialist in product design and sustainable practices for Lexmark International. His personal search for a deeper connection to God carried him on a pilgrimage into the world of contemplative prayer and spiritual formation that eventually led him to leave his job in the corporate world to lead The Academy. 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, as well as a certified Pastoral Counseling Specialist through the AAPC. Johnny has also studied with Parker Palmer to become a Circles of Trust® facilitator for the Center for Courage & Renewal. 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. He lives in Nashville, TN with his wife, Becky, and their two sons.
DONNA BRYANT
Since April 2008, Donna has filled an administrative role of the Academy office, assisting applicants and leadership teams for Two-Year and Five-Day Academies with the tools and information they need. A native Nashvillian, she offers a gracious welcome to everyone she encounters. Donna and her husband, Randy, have two daughters, a son-in-law, four granddaughters, and a grandson, all living locally.
Leadership Team #40
Jennifer Goto, Retreat Leader; Barbara Howing, Hospitality; Sungho Lee, Theologian; Hee Soon Kwon, Covenant Groups; Shalom Agtarap, Worship & Music
Leadership Team #41
Pat Luna, Retreat Leader; Kathy Norberg, Hospitality; Beth Richardson, Worship & Music; Don Saliers, Theologian; Blake Kendrick, Covenant Groups; Amy Oden, Spiritual Director
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
Im Jung, The Upper Room, Nashville, TN
L. Roger Owens, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, PA
Loyd Allen, McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA
Pat Luna, Consultant, Santa Rosa Beach, FL
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."