SOUL Journey Academy

An Academy of Spiritual Formation and Direction

Who

Those seeking deeper transformation in their walk with God
You will join a community (cohort) of 30-40 Christian leaders where experiential learning takes place. Biblical and Spirit-led discovery leading to relational intimacy with Christ and authentic ministry to others. The majority of participants will be spiritual leaders who serve in various mission agencies, church pastors and other church leaders, as well as other seasoned ministry leaders who have a desire to deepen their experience of God and learn new tools and approaches for facilitating deeper intimacy with God.

When

This cohort will meet four times over two years
​Each retreat will be 5 days in length. Participants are asked to commit to all four gatherings as each learning experience builds on the other. There will be a “Ramp-Up” for each retreat that will require reading 1 or 2 assigned books and two Zoom Meetings. And each retreat will be followed by a similar “Ramp-Down” to further process and apply the learnings of the retreat. 

Where

India and Southeast Asia
Soul Journey meets throughout India and Southeast Asia and new cohorts are forming regularly. If you are interested in beginning a new cohort in your area, contact Sam Rima.

SOUL Journey Curriculum

  • Retreat #1: WAKING

    ​Formation: Waking up to the theology of spiritual formation. Discovering who you are in Christ and how he seeks to meet you.

    Direction: Waking up to the art of spiritual guidance -- its history, purpose and importance. Understanding the basics of how spiritual direction functions.​

  • Retreat #2: WALKING

    Formation: Walking into the spiritual practices that align your life for transformation. Facing the “false self” and entering the journey toward spiritual and emotional health.

    Direction: Walking into implementation of spiritual guidance with others. The art of listening, asking questions, and discerning the Spirit.

  • Retreat #3: WRESTLING

    Formation: Wrestling with issues of brokenness, suffering and cultural captivity seeking to discover how God uses difficulty and sacrifice to form us spiritually.

    Direction: Wrestling with how to process pain in the lives of those you lead seeking to discern the transformational work of God in their lives.

  • Retreat #4: WORKING

    Formation: Working toward a transformational strategy in your ministry setting. Understanding your calling and the missional nature of spiritual formation.

    Direction: Working as a spiritual guide with other ministry leaders. Learning to engage in group spiritual discernment within your leadership community.

Desired Outcomes of the SOUL Journey

Instruction and learning experiences at the four SOUL retreats, along with reading assignments and participation in “group spiritual direction” between retreats, will focus on:

  1. Training in Spiritual Formation: In the midst of ministry demands many leaders fail to tend to their own inner journey, overlooking the rhythms that lead to health. At the Academy we will assist the leader in recovering an understanding and experience of how to do the inner work necessary to maintain spiritual health.

  2. Training in Spiritual Direction: Most leaders have never discovered the value of a spiritual director or “soul friend.” At the Academy we will experience the art of spiritual guidance as we learn to listen and shepherd in ways that are Spirit-led. Participation in “group spiritual direction” between retreats will help strengthen this practice in our lives.

  3. Application to Ministry Setting: Academy participants will acquire a lens from which to view the overall development of spiritual formation and direction in their ministry setting back home. Together we will seek to turn learning into transformational application.

Take the free assessment today

SOUL Journey Cohorts

If you feel God calling you to learn more, register below and we will get in touch.

SOUL Journey Taiwan

SOUL Journey Asia

SOUL Journey Malaysia
(2026)

SOUL Journey Indore
(July 2025)

For more information or to ask questions, contact Sam Rima.
email: sam.rima(at)deoworks(dot)org
phone: 1.206.366.5150