Sabbath by the Sea Leadership Team

SABBATH BY THE SEA DIRECTOR

Steve Fawver
Sabbath by the Sea is overseen by Steve Fawver, Pastor of Spiritual Health & Care at Newberg Friends Church, where he has been on the pastoral team for more than 20 years. Steve holds a Doctor of Ministry degree in Leadership and Spiritual Formation from George Fox Evangelical Seminary. He is a frequent retreat leader and is often sought out for spiritual direction, given his passion to help people pay attention to God, listen to Christ, and develop deeper lives of prayer. His work at Newberg Friends Church includes leading small groups, equipping leaders, preaching and teaching, writing, and meeting one-on-one with individuals as a listening presence. Steve has been married to his wife, Diane, for 20 years and they have two children: Janna (16) and Isaac (9). He loves to read Christian Classics, study scripture, golf, spend time outdoors, and sit by the fire with a good cup of coffee.

WEEKLY LEADERS

Craig Davis
Over the past 12 years, Craig Davis has led Spiritual Formation Retreats in Texas, Tennessee, Colorado, California, and Oregon. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Barclay College and a Certificate in Spiritual Formation from San Francisco Theological Seminary. Craig loves reading Spiritual Formation authors and teaching in the College Ministry that he pastors at Rose Drive Friends Church in southern California. He and his wife, Debbie, are the parents of Justin (23), Ashley (21), and Brandon (18). Finding space and quiet in community on the Oregon Coast is one of his favorite experiences.

Susan Fawver
Susan Fawver has been a Christ-follower since childhood. Her training at Wheaton College (BA) helped prepare her for a life of varied Christian ministry. She has had many opportunities to come alongside people to listen to, pray with, and encourage them in their Christian walk. Married to Gary for more than 50 years, she has worked with him in retreat ministry, leading and speaking at retreats through the years. She also enjoys interacting with their family (including nine grandchildren), cooking, playing the piano and reading.

Gary Fawver
Gary Fawver, retired professor from George Fox University, formerly founded and directed Tilikum Retreat Center in Newberg, Oregon. He has a deep commitment to the Church, and he desires for believers to grow more deeply in their faith. For years, Gary has brought into retreat and other settings a focus on God’s creation, Scripture study, and the thoughts and spiritual practices of the classic Christian writers. He has led dozens of retreats at camps throughout the world (including many in Russia), and served a term as President of Christian Camping International/USA. Gary holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Western Conservative Seminary, a Masters of Divinity from Gordon Conwell Seminary, and a Bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College.

Jo Helsabeck
After her adult conversion to Christianity, Jo Helsabeck began a journey to know God and to make Him known to others. Serving in volunteer positions in church, responding to God's call to ministry, deciding to go to seminary late in middle age, and coming alongside others on their spiritual journeys have been her response to the deep hunger for God He has placed in her heart. Jo holds a Master’s degree from the University of Missouri, a Bachelor’s from Culver-Stockton College, and a Certification as a spiritual director from George Fox Evangelical Seminary. She’s served as Pastor of Outreach Ministries and Pastor of Women’s Ministries at Newberg Friends Church, participated in 12-step recovery programs for 20 years, provided spiritual direction since 2004, and co-led a week at Sabbath by the Sea with Craig Davis in 2009.

Bruce Murphy
Bruce Murphy is a long-time educator and pastor, having served as President of Northwestern College, Provost of Seattle Pacific University, Professor at Whitworth University and Northwestern College, and Pastor of Presbyterian churches in Seattle and San Diego. Bruce participated in Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life, a year-long program which included spiritual direction. He has taught spiritual formation courses, led prayer retreats, and served several years as a spiritual director. He is married to Di, and holds an MA/PhD from Northern Illinois University and a BA from Wheaton College.

Di Murphy
Di Murphy holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Claremont Graduate School / San Diego State University (joint doctoral program in education), an M.S. from Northern Illinois University, and a B.S. from Wheaton College. Di has co-led prayer retreats with her husband, Bruce, has served as Elder of her local church, and has mentored young women in churches she has attended and colleges where she has taught (Whitworth College, San Diego State University, Seattle University, and Northwestern College). Di also participated in the Ignatian year-long Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life program.

Martha Wood
Martha Wood is a noticer, listener, sister, and friend. She is a pastor at heart and will someday be a pastor by trade. Her favorite things include flowers, sunsets, friends, coffee, Wendell Berry, chocolate, the moon, Annie Dillard, colors, shapes, layers, intersections, metaphors, wool socks, cheese, live music, things with roots, and things with wings. She studied Christian Educational Ministries at Taylor University and is working on an M.Div. at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. This is her twelfth year of living on a college campus, most recently working at George Fox University in Residence Life. She has found a home among the Quakers, specifically at Newberg Friends Church. She loves finding traces of God in unexpected places, especially in independent films and people's stories.

MUSIC MINISTERS

Mauri Macy
Mauri Macy serves at Newberg Friends Church as pastor of worship ministries. He has led the worship singing in most of the "by-the-sea" January retreats. Besides long-time church music ministry, Mauri has co-produced/recorded music for the well-known children's song series, Wee Sing. Comfortable with traditional, contemporary and contemplative songs, he places a high value on joining with others in worship through God's creation and wonderful gift to us—music.

Nate Macy
Nate Macy holds a Masters in Spiritual Formation from George Fox University and has spent time as a youth pastor, worship leader, speaker, worship consultant and musician. Nate has worked ecumenically and in a variety of settings including Quakers, Free Methodists, United Methodists, Covenant, and others. His involvement with Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends Church and Twin Rocks Friends Camp ministries has been ongoing for more than 20 years, with an emphasis on worship leadership at youth camps, all church retreats, and Yearly Meeting sessions.