OUR TEAM
Dale Suggs, Co-Founder and Director
Dale is a graduate of Texas Christian University (BA, ‘83) and Brite Divinity School (MDiv, Spiritual Formation, ‘87) and was ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1987. Dale received a Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction in 2007 from the University of San Diego. He received Certification as Facilitator of the Compassion Practice in 2018 from the Center for Engaged Compassion.
The core values that shape Dale’s life and work 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 just because of who they are. Dale is committed to making radical compassion a way of life and teaching others how to do the same.
Professionally, Dale has served 33 years as a congregational pastor, four years as a Hospice Chaplain, 17 years as a Spiritual Director, and eight years as a teacher and facilitator of the Compassion Practice.
Shelly Suggs, Co-Founder and Facilitator
Shelly Suggs is a graduate of Texas Christian University (BS, SLP, ‘84) the University of Texas at Arlington (MS, CCC-SLP, ‘86), and Claremont School of Theology (MS, Spiritual Formation, ‘2017). Shelly received a Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction in 2007 from the University of San Diego. She received Certification as Facilitator of the Compassion Practice in 2018 from the Center for Engaged Compassion.
Professionally, Shelly has been a Speech-Language Pathologist serving in public schools, hospitals and clinics for 36 years. She also served two years as a Clinical Supervisor of Speech-Language Pathology students at Purdue University.
Dale and Shelly have been married for 40 years. They have four adult daughters and three beautiful girls who call them “Grandad and Nana.”
Certified Facilitators
Nancy Fowler
Alleen Christian
Jeanette Christian
Aizaiah Yong
MJ Johnston
Scott Klepach
Seth Schoen
Janis Brown
Facilitators in Training
VeAnn Clark
Rachel Cooley Shawler
Donna Woodbridge
Kim Voyle
Kristi Kincheloe
BCN Board of Directors
Dale Suggs, Chair
Shelly Suggs, Vice Chair
Susan Heck, Secretary
Nancy Fowler
Frank Rogers, Jr.
Aizaiah Yong
MJ Johnston
Janis Brown