Find the Right Guide for What Comes Next
You don't have to navigate change, leadership, or organizational challenges alone.
Whether you're reimagining your life, strengthening your leadership, developing your team, renewing your congregation, or planning your organization's future, Surface to Soul can connect you with an experienced coach, consultant, or trainer who understands your world—and can help you move forward.
Not sure who would be the best fit? Tell us what you're working on and we'll help match you with the right person.
Whether you're reimagining your life, strengthening your leadership, developing your team, renewing your congregation, or planning your organization's future, Surface to Soul can connect you with an experienced coach, consultant, or trainer who understands your world—and can help you move forward.
Not sure who would be the best fit? Tell us what you're working on and we'll help match you with the right person.
What would you like to change?
I WANT TO NAVIGATE WHAT'S NEXT
Perhaps you're approaching retirement, considering a career change, beginning a new calling, navigating an empty nest, or simply wondering, What's next for me? We'll help you clarify what matters, explore possibilities, and intentionally design your next chapter.
Explore Life & Transition Coaching →
I WANT TO LEAD WELL
Leadership can be meaningful—and demanding. You may be navigating change, managing competing priorities, developing a team, dealing with conflict, or simply trying to lead without losing yourself in the process. We'll help you strengthen self-awareness, clarify priorities, improve relationships, and become the kind of leader you want to be.
Explore Leadership Coaching →
WE WANT OUR ORGANIZATION TO THRIVE
Your congregation or organization may need a clearer vision, healthier culture, stronger leaders, better systems, greater engagement, or a new approach to a persistent challenge. We'll help you assess your current reality, imagine what's possible, and turn good intentions into meaningful action.
Explore Consulting & Strategic Planning →
Perhaps you're approaching retirement, considering a career change, beginning a new calling, navigating an empty nest, or simply wondering, What's next for me? We'll help you clarify what matters, explore possibilities, and intentionally design your next chapter.
Explore Life & Transition Coaching →
I WANT TO LEAD WELL
Leadership can be meaningful—and demanding. You may be navigating change, managing competing priorities, developing a team, dealing with conflict, or simply trying to lead without losing yourself in the process. We'll help you strengthen self-awareness, clarify priorities, improve relationships, and become the kind of leader you want to be.
Explore Leadership Coaching →
WE WANT OUR ORGANIZATION TO THRIVE
Your congregation or organization may need a clearer vision, healthier culture, stronger leaders, better systems, greater engagement, or a new approach to a persistent challenge. We'll help you assess your current reality, imagine what's possible, and turn good intentions into meaningful action.
Explore Consulting & Strategic Planning →
Experience Matters. So Does Understanding Your World.
Surface to Soul isn't a collection of generalist coaches who happen to work with ministry leaders. We've lived this work. Our team includes pastors, denominational leaders, nonprofit executives, educators, consultants, spiritual formation leaders, organizational leaders, and ICF-trained professional coaches. That means you won't have to spend your first several conversations explaining how congregations work, why organizational change is complicated, or why leadership can sometimes feel lonely.
We understand the context. And we'll start by understanding you.
Surface to Soul isn't a collection of generalist coaches who happen to work with ministry leaders. We've lived this work. Our team includes pastors, denominational leaders, nonprofit executives, educators, consultants, spiritual formation leaders, organizational leaders, and ICF-trained professional coaches. That means you won't have to spend your first several conversations explaining how congregations work, why organizational change is complicated, or why leadership can sometimes feel lonely.
We understand the context. And we'll start by understanding you.
REV. DR. FELIX VILLANUEVA, MCC
Chief Coaching School Programs Officer
I can help you with:
Conflict • Team Development • Grief & Loss • Organizational Leadership
Felix helps leaders, clergy, teams, and organizations navigate change, strengthen relationships, and move toward meaningful goals. A Master Certified Coach with more than three decades of coaching experience, he brings a rich background in organizational leadership, pastoral counseling, ministry, and executive leadership. earned a Doctorate Degree in Organizational Leadership (EdD), and have two Master Degrees: one in Divinity and the other in Pastoral Counseling. He was ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1982. Felix has served as a U.S. Navy chaplain, pastor, and denominational executive and is co-founder of the Surface to Soul Coaching School.
Something that restores me: Walking labyrinths—an experience Felix says refreshes his soul and inspires him. His passion is transforming lives through coaching.
CRIS ALSUM
Life Transition & Reinvention Coach
I can help you with:
Retirement • Empty Nest Transitions • Decluttering • Downsizing • Life Design • Reinvention
Cris helps empty nesters and active retirees make room for what matters most in the next chapter of their lives. Through coaching and her Lighten the Load Project, she helps people move beyond feeling overwhelmed by possessions and unfinished projects to create homes—and lives—that feel lighter and more intentional. Her practical, encouraging approach helps clients take manageable steps toward greater freedom, clarity, and possibility.
Something I'm passionate about:
Helping people create room to breathe and room for what's next.
SHANA BOSHART, PCC-TRAINED
Pastoral & Leadership Coach
I can help you with:
Pastoral Leadership • Vocational Discernment • Ministry Transitions • Denominational Leadership • Spiritual Formation • Leadership Development
Shana helps pastors, judicatory leaders, and denominational leaders navigate the opportunities, challenges, and transitions of ministry leadership. She brings more than 25 years of experience mentoring pastors and lay formation leaders within Mennonite Church USA and has been coaching since 2019. An ICF-trained coach who has completed PCC-level training, Shana creates thoughtful spaces where leaders can listen deeply, clarify their calling, and discern meaningful next steps.
A practice that grounds me:
Becoming aware of God's good presence in each moment and each person.
Pastoral Leadership • Vocational Discernment • Ministry Transitions • Denominational Leadership • Spiritual Formation • Leadership Development
Shana helps pastors, judicatory leaders, and denominational leaders navigate the opportunities, challenges, and transitions of ministry leadership. She brings more than 25 years of experience mentoring pastors and lay formation leaders within Mennonite Church USA and has been coaching since 2019. An ICF-trained coach who has completed PCC-level training, Shana creates thoughtful spaces where leaders can listen deeply, clarify their calling, and discern meaningful next steps.
A practice that grounds me:
Becoming aware of God's good presence in each moment and each person.
MARIA COVARRUBIAS
Church Leadership & Faith Formation Coach
I can help you with:
Church Leadership • Faith Formation • Catholic Ministry • Spirituality • Leadership Development • Vocational Discernment
María helps church and ministry leaders strengthen their leadership, deepen their spiritual lives, and imagine new possibilities for ministry. She brings extensive experience in Catholic parish ministry and faith formation along with graduate study in religious studies and certification in Christian spirituality. María's coaching integrates practical leadership development with thoughtful attention to faith, calling, and the movement of God in everyday life.
Practices that restore me:
Contemplative prayer, nature walks, and keeping a faith-life journal.
DEACON TAMMY DEVINE
Leadership, Wellness & Spiritual Life Coach
I can help you with:
Leadership • Health & Wholeness • Life Transitions • Spirituality • Team Relationships • Compassionate Leadership
Tammy helps individuals, leaders, congregations, and teams become healthier, more self-aware, and more intentional about the changes they want to create. A Professional Certified Coach, she brings additional training in end-of-life coaching, spiritual coaching, Positive Intelligence, and Boundless Compassion. Tammy is especially passionate about creating spaces where people can listen deeply, explore possibilities, strengthen relationships, and move toward greater health and wholeness.
Something that matters deeply to me:
Helping people and communities become the best versions of themselves.
JANNY FRANKEN, PCC
Coach, Facilitator & Trainer
Leadership, Change & Reinvention Coach
I can help you with:
Leadership Development • Organizational Change • Life Transitions • Reinvention • Ministry Leadership • Team Development
Janny helps leaders and organizations see familiar challenges from new perspectives and discover better ways to move forward. A Professional Certified Coach with a master's degree in Educational Sciences, she brings experience in education, children's and youth ministry, congregational leadership, and organizational change. Janny especially enjoys helping people rethink their work, navigate transitions, experiment with new approaches, and move toward a desired future.
Something I believe:
Life is always in transition, and the choices we make along the way shape who we become.
Leadership Development • Organizational Change • Life Transitions • Reinvention • Ministry Leadership • Team Development
Janny helps leaders and organizations see familiar challenges from new perspectives and discover better ways to move forward. A Professional Certified Coach with a master's degree in Educational Sciences, she brings experience in education, children's and youth ministry, congregational leadership, and organizational change. Janny especially enjoys helping people rethink their work, navigate transitions, experiment with new approaches, and move toward a desired future.
Something I believe:
Life is always in transition, and the choices we make along the way shape who we become.
REV. DR. ED HORSTMANN
Church Leadership & Ministry Coach
I can help you with:
Pastoral Leadership • Church Leadership • Leadership Development • Vocational Discernment • Ministry Effectiveness • Coach Development
Ed helps pastors and church leaders strengthen their leadership, clarify their calling, and increase their impact. He brings extensive experience serving the Presbyterian Church (USA) at congregational and denominational levels, including leadership of peacemaking and leadership-development initiatives. A PCC-level trained coach, Ed also helps equip emerging coaches through Surface to Soul's ACC-level Coaching School.
Something I'm passionate about:
Equipping and strengthening leaders and churches for impactful ministry and inspiring witness.
Pastoral Leadership • Church Leadership • Leadership Development • Vocational Discernment • Ministry Effectiveness • Coach Development
Ed helps pastors and church leaders strengthen their leadership, clarify their calling, and increase their impact. He brings extensive experience serving the Presbyterian Church (USA) at congregational and denominational levels, including leadership of peacemaking and leadership-development initiatives. A PCC-level trained coach, Ed also helps equip emerging coaches through Surface to Soul's ACC-level Coaching School.
Something I'm passionate about:
Equipping and strengthening leaders and churches for impactful ministry and inspiring witness.
CARL HORTON
Church Leadership & Ministry Coach
I can help you with:
Pastoral Leadership • Church Leadership • Leadership Development • Vocational Discernment • Ministry Effectiveness • Coach Development
Carl helps pastors, church leaders, and ministry teams strengthen their leadership, navigate challenges, and increase their impact. A lifelong Presbyterian, he brings extensive experience serving the Presbyterian Church (USA) at congregational and denominational levels, including 13 years leading the denomination’s Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and its leadership development initiatives. A PCC-level trained coach, Carl is passionate about equipping leaders to discover their strengths, develop their capacities, and lead with greater clarity and confidence. He also helps prepare emerging coaches through Surface to Soul’s ACC-level Coaching School.
Something I’m passionate about:
Equipping and empowering leaders to strengthen the church for impactful ministry and inspiring witness.
Pastoral Leadership • Church Leadership • Leadership Development • Vocational Discernment • Ministry Effectiveness • Coach Development
Carl helps pastors, church leaders, and ministry teams strengthen their leadership, navigate challenges, and increase their impact. A lifelong Presbyterian, he brings extensive experience serving the Presbyterian Church (USA) at congregational and denominational levels, including 13 years leading the denomination’s Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and its leadership development initiatives. A PCC-level trained coach, Carl is passionate about equipping leaders to discover their strengths, develop their capacities, and lead with greater clarity and confidence. He also helps prepare emerging coaches through Surface to Soul’s ACC-level Coaching School.
Something I’m passionate about:
Equipping and empowering leaders to strengthen the church for impactful ministry and inspiring witness.
REV JEFF MARIAN, PCC
Leadership & Life Coach
I can help you with:
Leadership • Career transitions • Purpose • Nonprofit leadership • Personal growth
Jeff helps individuals and teams clarify what matters, navigate obstacles, and move toward their preferred future. He brings more than 35 years of nonprofit and ministry leadership and a decade of professional coaching experience to his work. Jeff especially enjoys helping people recognize their strengths, clarify possibilities, and translate aspirations into meaningful action.
Something that restores me: Cycling, reading, and spending time with family.
Leadership • Career transitions • Purpose • Nonprofit leadership • Personal growth
Jeff helps individuals and teams clarify what matters, navigate obstacles, and move toward their preferred future. He brings more than 35 years of nonprofit and ministry leadership and a decade of professional coaching experience to his work. Jeff especially enjoys helping people recognize their strengths, clarify possibilities, and translate aspirations into meaningful action.
Something that restores me: Cycling, reading, and spending time with family.
JIM MERHAUT
Organizational Change & Reinvention Coach
I can help you with:
Organizational Change • Reinvention • Church Leadership • Community Partnerships • Spiritual Formation • Team Development
Jim helps leaders and leadership teams navigate change, reimagine what's possible, and create healthier organizations. A Professional Certified Coach and Certified Reinvention Practitioner, he brings more than a decade of coaching experience along with extensive expertise in religious education and adult spiritual formation. Jim is particularly interested in helping churches look beyond their walls and build dynamic partnerships with organizations in their communities.
Practices that restore me:
Silence, nature, reading, and small communal spiritual practices.
Organizational Change • Reinvention • Church Leadership • Community Partnerships • Spiritual Formation • Team Development
Jim helps leaders and leadership teams navigate change, reimagine what's possible, and create healthier organizations. A Professional Certified Coach and Certified Reinvention Practitioner, he brings more than a decade of coaching experience along with extensive expertise in religious education and adult spiritual formation. Jim is particularly interested in helping churches look beyond their walls and build dynamic partnerships with organizations in their communities.
Practices that restore me:
Silence, nature, reading, and small communal spiritual practices.
REV. ERIK SAMUELSON
Vocational & Ministry Leadership Coach
I can help you with:
Vocational Discernment • Ministry Innovation • Young Adult Ministry • Faith Formation • Community Engagement • Leadership Development
Erik helps people and ministry leaders connect more deeply with their calling and discover creative ways to live it out in the world. An ordained ELCA pastor and Professional Certified Coach, he brings experience in congregational redevelopment, campus ministry, vocational formation, community organizing, and ministry with young adults. Erik is especially passionate about helping churches innovate, strengthen authentic relationships, and engage people beyond traditional congregational settings.
Something that energizes me:
Conversations about faith, vocation, and Jesus—especially in coffee shops and pubs.
Vocational Discernment • Ministry Innovation • Young Adult Ministry • Faith Formation • Community Engagement • Leadership Development
Erik helps people and ministry leaders connect more deeply with their calling and discover creative ways to live it out in the world. An ordained ELCA pastor and Professional Certified Coach, he brings experience in congregational redevelopment, campus ministry, vocational formation, community organizing, and ministry with young adults. Erik is especially passionate about helping churches innovate, strengthen authentic relationships, and engage people beyond traditional congregational settings.
Something that energizes me:
Conversations about faith, vocation, and Jesus—especially in coffee shops and pubs.
REV. DR. MARK SLAUGHTER, PCC
Leadership, Vocational & Spiritual Life Coach
I can help you with:
Career Discernment • Leadership • Emotional Intelligence • Worship • Spiritual Formation • Team Development
Mark helps individuals and teams create greater self-awareness, discern what matters, and identify meaningful steps forward. With more than 30 years of congregational ministry experience, he brings particular expertise in leadership, worship, spiritual formation, and emotional intelligence. Mark's coaching style is relational, thoughtful, and nonjudgmental, creating space for clients to listen deeply to themselves and discover their own path forward.
Practices that restore me:
Reading, listening to music, spending time outdoors, and connecting with my small group.
Career Discernment • Leadership • Emotional Intelligence • Worship • Spiritual Formation • Team Development
Mark helps individuals and teams create greater self-awareness, discern what matters, and identify meaningful steps forward. With more than 30 years of congregational ministry experience, he brings particular expertise in leadership, worship, spiritual formation, and emotional intelligence. Mark's coaching style is relational, thoughtful, and nonjudgmental, creating space for clients to listen deeply to themselves and discover their own path forward.
Practices that restore me:
Reading, listening to music, spending time outdoors, and connecting with my small group.
REV. TOM SMITH, PCC
Leadership & Brain Science Coach
I can help you with:
Leadership Development • Brain Science • Resilience • Career Development • Personal Growth • Team Leadership
Tom helps leaders and individuals combine greater self-awareness with insights from neuroscience to create meaningful and sustainable change. A Professional Certified Coach, ordained minister, and former engineer, he brings an unusual combination of analytical thinking, Christian spirituality, empathy, and leadership experience to his coaching. Tom especially enjoys helping clients cultivate greater joy, productivity, resilience, and peace as they navigate leadership, work, and life.
Things that restore me:
Downhill skiing, cycling, international travel, hiking, and time with family and pets.
Leadership Development • Brain Science • Resilience • Career Development • Personal Growth • Team Leadership
Tom helps leaders and individuals combine greater self-awareness with insights from neuroscience to create meaningful and sustainable change. A Professional Certified Coach, ordained minister, and former engineer, he brings an unusual combination of analytical thinking, Christian spirituality, empathy, and leadership experience to his coaching. Tom especially enjoys helping clients cultivate greater joy, productivity, resilience, and peace as they navigate leadership, work, and life.
Things that restore me:
Downhill skiing, cycling, international travel, hiking, and time with family and pets.
DENISE UTTER
Leadership, Transition & Faith Formation Coach
I can help you with:
Ministry Leadership • Team Transitions • Life Transitions • Change Management • Faith Formation • Ministry with Families
Denise helps church leaders, teams, congregations, and nonprofit organizations navigate change and reimagine what's possible. She brings more than 30 years of experience in education and ministry and several years of coaching individuals, teams, and organizations. With particular expertise in faith formation, ministry with families, leadership transitions, and change management, Denise helps clients listen carefully to their current reality while moving intentionally toward what comes next.
Practices that restore me:
Journaling, reading, nature, long walks, travel, and listening for God's nudges in the quiet.
Ministry Leadership • Team Transitions • Life Transitions • Change Management • Faith Formation • Ministry with Families
Denise helps church leaders, teams, congregations, and nonprofit organizations navigate change and reimagine what's possible. She brings more than 30 years of experience in education and ministry and several years of coaching individuals, teams, and organizations. With particular expertise in faith formation, ministry with families, leadership transitions, and change management, Denise helps clients listen carefully to their current reality while moving intentionally toward what comes next.
Practices that restore me:
Journaling, reading, nature, long walks, travel, and listening for God's nudges in the quiet.