LIVING FULLY in an age of anxiety
2026 SFSAZ Conference – February 20 & 21, 2026
Living Fully in an Age of Anxiety
We are living in an age anxiety. Even if we personally don’t feel anxious, we are touched by it all around us. How do we navigate these waters in which we live and move and have our being? What does it look like to follow Jesus into living fully? How can anxiety become an entry point to fullness of life rather than seen as an obstacle? Between teaching, workshops, spiritual practices and worship, this two day conference will give you space to listen and explore living with God in our everyday lives.
Friday, February 20 – 6:00p-9p
Saturday, February 21 – 8:30a-4p
Conference Speakers
Genalin Niere-Metcalf
Genalin recieved an M.A. Spiritual Formation & Soul Care at the Institute of Spiritual Formation at Biola University. She also received a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and is a Registered Nurse. With training in nursing, spiritual direction and psychology, she has a holistic and integrated approach in spiritual direction. She enjoys individual and group spiritual direction, as well as retreats for groups who seek a deeper experience of God and desire refreshment in their spiritual lives. She considers it a delight to explore and discover with others how God has been and is intimately at work in their lives.
John Talley
The Reverend John H. Talley III is originally from Philadelphia, PA, but has lived domestically and globally in many cities and states. He has served in pastoral ministry for over a decade. He serves on the Executive Leadership Team for the following organizations: Neopolis, and the African American Christian Clergy Coalition (AACCC). In addition, he serves as an adjunct professor of Bible/Theology at Arizona Christian University and Co-Host of The Un-Silent Church Podcast. He is a graduate of Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies and Phoenix Seminary with a Master of Divinity with an emphasis in Biblical and Theological Studies. He is married to his beautiful wife, Celeste, and they reside in Phoenix, AZ, with their daughters, Arielle and Aniyah. You can catch him blogging on his website at jtthinks.com. Currently, he serves as Teaching Pastor at Roosevelt Community Church.
John DelHousaye
Dr. John DelHousaye is Theologian in Residence/Soul Care with the Spiritual Formation Society of Arizona. John joined the ministry team 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.
Ted Wueste
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 tedwueste@sfsaz.org and learn more about his spiritual formation ministry at www.desertdirection.com.
Workshops
presented by Spiritual Formation Society Communities
Anxiety Transformed: Prayer that Brings Enduring Change
In this workshop, we will explore how certain aspects of our existing prayer life may unintentionally contribute to anxiety—and how, with a different approach, prayer can become a powerful path to spiritual resilience. Through evidence-based practices, we will engage in forms of prayer that cultivate attunement, inspire hope, and promote a sense of inner freedom.
Led by members of SFSTexas
Burnout, Jesus, and Grace
How did Jesus not burn out under the demands and requests of so many? In this workshop, we’ll explore the Cycle of Grace—the life-giving rhythm Jesus lived that began with receiving. Together, we’ll reflect on how this same rhythm can loosen the grip of self-reliance and root us in a life nourished by grace.
Led by Justin Phillips, SFSOZ. Justin is a counselor, spiritual director, and retreat guide. He serves with the Spiritual Formation Society of the Ozarks, where he helps people cultivate deeper intimacy with God. Justin integrates psychology and spiritual formation to guide others into a sustainable, grace-filled way of life.
Immanuel Journaling: Attuning to God’s Loving Presence
Come rest in the gentle invitation of Immanuel Journaling—a simple, reflective prayer practice that opens us to the loving presence of God in our real, everyday experiences. Grounded in the attuning heart of God revealed in Exodus 3, this process offers space to listen as God sees us, hears us, understands us, delights in us, and responds with care. In this session, we will quietly engage these prompts and open our hearts to the healing presence of a God who is always with us.
Led by Ginger Ciminello. Ginger is a spiritual director and passionate communicator who delights in guiding others into a deeper awareness of God’s presence through Scripture and prayerful companionship. A Texas native who now fondly calls the Arizona desert home, she’s wife to a pediatrician and mom to two girls.
Schedule
Friday, February 20, 2026
6:00p – Registration
6:30 – Welcome and Introduction
6:45 – Worship and Prayer
7:15 – Plenary Session
8:30 – Prayer/Reflection/Dismiss
Saturday, February 21, 2026
9-12 plenary sessions/personal reflection
12 – lunch
1:30-4:00 break out sessions/plenary session
Location
Valley View Bible Church
4222 E Lincoln Dr, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
Registration
Regular Registration: November 15th-January 29, 2026 – $165 non member, $148 General members, $140 Full & Professional members
Late Registration: January 30 – February 13, 2026 – $175*
*Member Discounts Applicable
GROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR GROUPS OF 5 OR MORE! Contact connect@sfsaz.org for more details.