A weekend apart that transforms pastors to change the world
providing a place to retreat and seek encouragement and healing
Advisory Board
Founder and Director
OKC, OK
Rev. Dr. Kelly Diehl Yates
Dr. Yates holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Southern Nazarene University. She completed her doctorate in historical theology at the University of Manchester/Nazarene Theological College in 2018. She has been a senior pastor and associate pastor in the Church of the Nazarene in Oklahoma and Arkansas, and is currently on the pastoral staff at OKC 1st Church of the Nazarene. She teaches for Southern Nazarene University and Northwest Nazarene University, and Indiana Wesleyan University, and has several published articles. For a list of her publications, click here.
Rev. Dr. Steve Brant
Associate Director
OKC, OK
Rev. Dr. Steve Brant is a retired Elder in the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church, having served eight churches during a twenty-three-year pastoral ministry. Dr. Brant is married to Cherlene, his wife of forty-four years, and has two grown daughters: Leah and Stephanie. The Brants also have a total of four grandchildren. While serving in Catoosa, Oklahoma, Dr. Brant helped form the Catoosa Disaster Relief Coalition in the aftermath of the deadly 1993 tornadoes, and together with his wife, Cherlene, launched the Education Foundation for Catoosa Public Schools. Dr. Brant loves to read, golf, play racquetball, travel, teach, write,
mentor pastors, and spend time with his family.
Dr. Brant earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Theology from Oral Roberts University in 1978/1982 and his Master of Divinity Degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1989. Dr. Brant earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2011, with a concentration in leadership and spiritual formation. Having served local churches of all sizes, from 75 to 750, Dr. Brant also helped facilitate a church merger between May Ave. UMC and
Ridgecrest UMC in 2013, along with co-pastor Rev. Dianna Pruitt. Cornerstone UMC, as it is known today, serves inner city Oklahoma City. Dr. Brant served twelve years as a member of the Oklahoma Conference Chemical Dependency Ministry Team and six years as a coach for the North and South Oklahoma City District Post Graduate Probationers. The past four and one-half years Dr. Brant taught at Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, Oklahoma, first as an adjunct professor and then full-time as Assistant Professor of Christian Studies from 2017-2020.
Rev. Shari Palmer
Pastor of Golden Church of the Nazarene
Golden, CO
Rev. Palmer has been the senior pastor of Golden Church of the Nazarene in Golden, CO for nine years. She values authenticity and connecting with other pastors as part of her self care. She enjoys hiking with her husband, David, and two boys, Ryan and Will.
Rev. Ken Murray
Retired Pastor in the Church of the Nazarene
OKC, OK
Rev. Murray served in active ministry in the Church of the Nazarene for 50 years. For most of those years he was the solo pastor in smaller churches. In 2019 he retired as office manager for the Oklahoma District Church of the Nazarene and accepted the ministry of Shepherding Pastor at OKC 1st Church. In that capacity he works to help local and district licensed ministers in the development of their individual callings. He and his wife Margaret have two children and five grandchildren.
Margaret Murray, LPC, LMFT
Licensed therapist
OKC, OK
Margaret has been the wife of a minister for 51 years. In that position, she served in multiple capacities. She completed her Master's Degree in Counseling in 1988 and began her career as a therapist at Samaritan Counseling Center in Shreveport, LA. She became the Executive Director of the Center in 1994. She served in that position until 2002 when she and her husband moved to Oklahoma. She was employed as a therapist in the campus counseling center at Southern Nazarene University for several years and supervised Master's Counseling students. Additionally, she taught in the university's Masters in Counseling program. She currently is in private practice which she began in 2005. She believes strongly in God's direction in her life to become a therapist and is grateful for the opportunity to be WITH people in pain and assist them in walking through the difficult times.
Rev. Sunie Stolhand
Pastor of First Church of the Nazarene
Ponca City, OK
Sunie currently serves at First Church of the Nazarene in Ponca City, OK with her husband, Rick, and their two children Jamie and Kendra. She loves most aspects of ministry life, but feels especially called to places of deep authenticity where she can mourn with those who mourn and celebrate with those who are celebrating. It is messy work, but it is often where love is found.
Rev. Drew Dinnel
Pastor of Muskogee Church of the Nazarene
Muskogee, OK
Dr. Robert Lively
Retired Professor of History
Southern Nazarene University
OKC, OK
Dr. Lively retired from Southern Nazarene University in 2015 after 35 years of teaching History and Politics. His PhD is in American History and he remains an Emeritus Professor at SNU, teaching part-time. Dr. Lively is a graduate of the spiritual direction program at the HeartPaths Spirituality Center in Oklahoma City and has been a spiritual director for seven years. He is also a faculty member at HeartPaths and has led groups in contemplative prayer practices.
Dr. Sue Ann Lively
Retired Professor of Adult Learning
Southern Nazarene University
OKC, OK
Dr. Lively was a professor at Southern Nazarene University for 36 years. Her doctorate is in adult education, with emphasis on adult learning and communication. She trained for three years at the HeartPaths Spirituality Center in Oklahoma City to be a spiritual director; she is starting her 9th year as a spiritual director. As a faculty of HeartPaths, she has led groups in contemplative prayer practices and the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius.
Linda Crow
Retired Missionary and Interior Designer
OKC, OK
Linda was raised on a ranch in Texas. She graduated from SNU with a degree in Home-economics and later worked towards a degree in Family Counseling from Chapman University. She worked alongside her husband in mission work, writing the first books on Infant Care in the Creole language, and establishing Nutrition Centers across the island of Haiti. In Switzerland, she taught young women the joy of Women’s Ministries. Upon returning to Oklahoma, Linda started an Interior Design Business. Walt and Linda have three daughters who are her best friends. Her passions include public speaking, teaching Bible Studies, and decorating. She has five published books.