2025 Conference

Julie and Matt Canlis

Julie and Matt Canlis live in Wenatchee, WA where Matt is a pastor and Julie is an author. They went to seminary together, and then continued their adventure in Scotland where Matt became a village pastor and Julie became a theologian and their four children taught them everything they didn’t know. When they left Scotland to return to America, Matt released a film “Godspeed” on how the people of their tiny community in Scotland taught them about Jesus and being known. Julie wrote a microbook called “A Theology of the Ordinary”  and Matt wrote a 40 day pilgrimage “Backyard Pilgrim.”   Together, they teach and lead new forms of creatively engaging the Bible.

Receive a free copy of Julie’s book “Theology of the Ordinary” and Matt’s book “Backyard Pilgrimage” when you arrive at the conference!

Micah Bentley – Worship

Micah has a passion for curating and leading in spaces to experience God’s goodness and love through all expressions of worship and art. As a practicing singer/songwriter he has spent years experiencing God’s presence in the sacred and the secular through my relationship and work with the music and arts. As a spiritual director he loves to journey alongside others in their growing relationships with Jesus. My greatest passion is my family which includes my wife Ashley and my 2 kids Brighten and Elliotte.

The Jesus Prayer with John DelHousaye

The Jesus Prayer is described as simple and yet God has sparked renewal through its warm faith and appeal for Jesus to be JESUS, meaning the “Lord saves” in Hebrew. This workshop traces the prayer’s development and suggests how it may be offered in today’s challenges. 

John joined the ministry of SFSAZ after teaching at Phoenix Seminary for twenty-one years. He serves as elder of spiritual formation at Alhambra Beloved Community. He has authored several articles and books on spiritual disciplines and enjoys listening to God with soul friends and churches.

Meditative Painting: A Pathway to Spiritual Renewal with Michael Denson

This workshop is designed to introduce participants to meditative painting as a spiritual practice. Rooted in the more contemplative spiritual disciplines, this activity invites participants to connect with God through the creative process. By letting go of the need for perfection and allowing intuition to guide their movements, participants will experience how creative expression can foster spiritual renewal, reflection, and deeper connection. No artistic skill or experience is necessary—only an open heart and a willingness to encounter God in a new and creative way.

Michael earned his Master of Arts in Innovation and Leadership from Kilns College and his Bachelor of Arts in Photography from The College of Santa Fe. As a photographer and professional mixed media artist, Michael creates “conversation pieces,” artworks that are meant to provoke dialogue and personal exploration by the viewer. Having 12 years of combined experience as a leader and implementer of innovative events and programs, he honed his skills and cultivated his knowledge through his work for The Rag Collection and Food for the Hungry; Valley non-profit organizations serving youth, the marginalized, and the disadvantaged. Michael also served as the Executive Director of West Valley Arts Council in Surprise, AZ where he worked to build engagement in the arts and enhance the culture of West Valley cities and communities through the establishment of programming and strategic partnerships. Learn more at https://www.densoncreative.art/.

Reclaiming the Sacredness of Friendship with Emma Tautolo

Reframing singleness and Redefining friendship through reexamining how the Kingdom of God comes.

Emma Tautolo is a southern California native who has lived in Arizona for 12 years. She was a Division 1 college athlete that spent 17 years on staff with a parachurch ministry leading and equipping students and staff in college sports ministry and cultural competency. She works for the Surge network: a movement of local churches putting Jesus on display by equipping, reconciling and activating God’s people in Arizona. She is a shepherd, teacher and team leader with a deep love for the local church. Emma has her master’s degree in Missional Theology and loves the ocean, Pit bulls and 90’s-00’s r&b.

Psalms of Ascent with Ted Wueste

The Psalms of Ascent are songs that the people of God would sing/pray as they journeyed to Jerusalem for various feasts and celebrations. Comprised of 15 psalms (Psalm 120-134), each offer a way to pray and engage with God on the journey … giving permission to grieve, celebrate, yearn, and hope with God.

Often, as we journey through this life, we are just waiting for the destination or wishing our journey looked different. The Psalms of Ascent model and invite a way to be present along the way.

In this workshop, we will provide an overview of these prayers, give space for praying, and create our own prayers of ascent. And more …

Ted serves as the Founder/Director of the Spiritual Formation Society of Arizona. For the last 30 years, he has served in various ministry capacities with 20 of those years serving in pastoral ministry.  Ted designed and taught in a Spiritual Formation program at Phoenix Seminary for seven years, and now enjoys a ministry of spiritual direction, retreat leading, and teaching.  He has written several books on the spiritual journey as well as devotionals and study guides that many have found helpful. You can reach Ted at [email protected] and learn more about his spiritual formation ministry at www.desertdirection.com.