Ministry Consultant & Executive Director
Rev. Melissa Hofstetter, PhD is an ordained minister in the Mennonite tradition, having served as district elder in the Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference, helping to oversee the well-being of several Los Angeles area churches. Dr. Hofstetter has taught seminary courses on Pastoral Counseling & Congregational Health, and The Spiritual Life [for caregiving professions]. She served as adjunct professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, Azusa Pacific Seminary, as well as in the doctoral and undergraduate psychology departments at Azusa Pacific University, teaching Neuroscience, Adult Development, Family Systems, & Personality. She is the Founder & Executive Director of Shepherd Heart, providing pastoral care, ministry consultation, clergy workshops and retreats.
Ministry Coach & Consultant
The Rev. Dr. Michelle Baker-Wright is ordained in the Episcopal Church, USA, and has served in parish ministry for sixteen years as associate priest and interim Priest-in-Charge. She has a depth of experience in pastoral care, preaching, and in leading retreats. She has a demonstrated understanding of complex systems, as well as formal training in Transition Ministry. Her PhD is in Christian Worship from Fuller Theological Seminary, and she has extensive experience in worship planning both in the Episcopal Church and in a range of ecumenical contexts.
Creative Consultant
Steven Homestead is an artist, composer, writer, curator, and speaker, who works to promote honor, give voice, share wonder, and develop unity. He brings genre-spanning creativity to life, whether composing music, leading community art projects, writing and speaking on arts and faith, or curating generative events. He is a creative consultant at Shepherd Heart, participating in retreat facilitation and in art processing in church settings. In the Covenants of Respect project, he walks with congregations as they “beatify and beautify” their covenant together.
Special Consultant
Covenants of Respect Project.
Dr. David Augsburger is a world-renowned expert and author in Christian conflict resolution, serving as special consultant in the Covenants of Respect project. Shepherd Heart is tremendously honored by and grateful for his pastoral leadership.
(In memory of our beloved friend and colleague Dr. Augsburger)