“The Heart Longings program provided me with the love, support, and true community that I needed during a time of uncertainty and testing of my faith. My faith in God increased, and I built connections with others that I believe will continue for many years to come. I learned spiritual practices and tools that helped me grow closer to God in new and amazing ways. I am forever grateful for this experience.”

-Pamela Palmer

“All the program’s presenters fed my soul in some way. Dr. A.Y. Bryant’s talk about Practicing Sacred Activism stands out the most for me. The material she shared connected me with my feelings of being a victim and unable to help others who are victimized. Even though I knew it intellectually and spiritually, I did not believe that I could be victimized without becoming a victim. I now know that the actions taken against me in the past and those that may be taken against me in the future do not define who I am. I am a whole and holy expression of God’s love. This is a fact that no person, organization, or government agency can change.”

-Maxine Fuller, Instructional Designer, Trainer, and Educator

“As I reflect on my time in the program, I can see three distinct gifts I received: the gift of vulnerability, the gift of showing up for myself, and the gift of community. I received the gift of vulnerability every time my small group met. During our time together, I would often be prompted by God to share things I either rarely talked about or never talked about at all. The women in my group always made space for each of us to be seen, heard, loved, and we were always encouraged to look for God in everything….”

– Tara Pray, Freelance Writer and Social Work Professional

“’What is love? It is a walk in a drizzle. You walk and walk and only after a while do you realize that you have become soaked to the core (attributed to Pope John Paul II).’ Looking back at my walk with Heart Longings, I can see how contemplative stillness quietly uncovered itself as an element of my core. I can feel how these people will always be part of my community. I’m grateful for the climate. I keep walking.”

– Aleksandra Lewandowska, Inspirational Speaker (Warsaw, Poland)

“As a course name, Heart Longings perfectly evoked the sense of excitement and possibility I brought to the class. The phrase also conjured in my mind a heart-led journey toward something long-awaited, hoped for, yet never quite obtainable. Those were the images that stirred in my heart and mind when, in 2022, I encountered Shalem’s Heart Longings: An Invitation to the Contemplative Path.”

– Janet G. Hudson, Professional Coach