OUR TEAM

Dale is a graduate of Texas Christian University and Brite Divinity School, being ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1987. The core values that shape Dale’s life and ministry are grace, inclusion, and compassion. These values fuel Dale’s passion for creating compassionate space for individuals and families struggling with mental health, for the LGBTQIA+ community, and for those excluded or injured by church. Dale is committed to putting the compassion of Jesus into action and teaching others how to do the same.

Professionally, Dale has served 30 years as a congregational pastor, 15 years as a Certified Spiritual Director, and four years as a Hospice Chaplain.

In 2016, Dale and his wife, Shelly, began informally gathering with people they knew had left the church in pain and suffering. In 2018, Dale and Shelly co-founded a congregation from this community now known as “BELOVED Way.”

In 2021, Dale and Shelly co-founded a nonprofit called, “BELOVED Compassion Network” or BCN. BCN is committed to teaching meditative practices and practical strategies for “Cultivating Compassion” for self and others.

Dale is known for his preaching, retreat facilitating, and keynoting on the subjects of mental health in the church, spiritual deepening for overactive congregations, and making compassion a way of life. Dale spends much of his time developing and teaching workshops, seminars, and retreats on topics including cultivating compassion, forgiving, being shaped by the stories we tell, narrative Bible study, tending spiritual roots, developing resilience, and releasing the flow of blessings.

Dale has been married to Shelly Jones Suggs for 39 years. They have four adult daughters and three beautiful girls who call Dale “Granddad!”