What People Are Saying

Testimonials

I’ve been honoured to work with some amazing human beings and am deeply grateful for their willingness to share their experiences. Scroll below and see what some of my clients had to say.

One - to - One

I had never had a Spiritual Director and, to be honest, wasn’t quite sure what it was but I knew, as a leader, I needed something more to live this life to the full. Then I met Sam. She explained the role of spiritual direction and has companioned me on this incredible journey focusing on how I am experiencing God in MY life. Not just for those I lead and love. I have been able to lean into the mysteries of living in the ‘Now and the Not Yet’ of the Kingdom. To sit with everything from joy to disappointments and explore how I am experiencing God in and through these. Sam brings an incredible gentleness, wisdom and asks questions that just raise my level of insight and understanding.

L. Archer Church Planter & Leader

Spiritual Direction with Sam has been eventful and insightful from the very first session! Every time we meet I go away having encountered God and with plenty to reflect on and pray into. Sam is kind, gentle but also insightful and courageous. She has a wonderful ear to listen to the Holy Spirit to guide the sessions and uses silence as often as questions to bring out what God is looking to do. She is deeply caring and pastoral and has a wealth of experience!

D. Smith Church Leader

Spiritual Direction with Sam has been a wonderful sacred space to stop, explore and notice the mysterious movements of God in my life. She has given me freedom to come exactly as I am, on good and bad days, in consolation or desolation, skill-fully asking questions that help me to notice what is important. I often come away from a SD with greater clarity and peace as I’ve been reminded of how much God is always moving and working. I am so grateful for her!

H Hicks Worship Pastor

In the middle of one night, lying awake, I asked God "how can I grow closer to you?" Immediately I heard the reply "spiritual direction" I met with a few potential directors and decided to work with Sam as I enjoy her sense of humour. She values my creativity and also (very important) she follows my sometimes illogical thinking process. Its a joy to be able to share what's on my heart, secure in the knowledge that I won't be judged. When you know you won't be judged you can risk saying what you REALLY feel/think rather than what you OUGHT to feel/think and as you bring those things honestly before God he is able to heal them and bring you to a greater level of freedom

T. Watkins Art Psychotherapist

Sam offered a welcoming space to talk about my faith journey. It was helpful for me to have this allocated time to stop, reflect, and particularly ponder questions that helped me discern where God was moving in my life. I often came away with renewed excitement about how close God is if I’m taking the time to slow down and listen. Thank you Sam for introducing me further into more contemplative ways. I’m now part of a contemplative group from my local church.

M.B Psychotherapist

Sam created a very calming, open and safe environment within which to escape from the busyness of everyday life and refocus on God. She asked gentle and thoughtful questions which helped me think more intentionally about life events, emotions and how I felt God was speaking into those situations. Sam also introduced me to new practices and ways of engaging with the Bible as well as ways of creating space within my day for re-centring on God. Sam is thoughtful, wise and a great listener and communicator.

J.S Architect & Worship Leader

I was in a spiritual wilderness once again due to big questions of faith and belief. I had consistently struggled to stay in community. It had become a pattern that had recurred many times over the last 6 or 7 years. After listening to what I was experiencing, Sam suggested that spiritual direction may be helpful. Within the first session I was gaining insight into what was keeping me stuck. Sam never told me what I should think or do. She skilfully and lovingly asked questions that created internal spaces where God could minister to my heart and spirit. This has been life changing. Thank you Sam.

C.C Life & Business Coach

I highly recommend Sam for spiritual direction. She created a safe space to relax, listen and notice God for my journey. Sam was sensitive to God's lead throughout our time and I discovered more ways to connect, grow and understand the dynamics of my spiritual journey.

MVT Artist

Spiritual Exercises

Taking the journey through the Spiritual Exercises with Sam as my guide has been one of the most impactful experiences of my life. Each day ranged from the humdrum to the ecstatic, but the effect of the whole “Retreat in Daily Life” is a transformed relationship with God, with the world, and with myself. God is somehow larger than ever before, and yet he is also closer than I ever imagined possible.

Despite my protestant imagination, Ignatius himself never seemed far away, and his inspired genius took me to places of encounter with Jesus that had me fall in love with my Lord all over again. As my Spiritual Director, Sam gently asked all the right questions to help me process God’s work in my life throughout the retreat. I’m a deep thinker, but I was repeatedly surprised by what I hadn’t yet considered; as I related my experience to her each week, Sam pointed out pathways I hadn’t even seen, always encouraging me to respond only to where the Holy Spirit wanted to lead me.

I will always be profoundly grateful for Sam’s generosity and for how she has helped me discover greater depths of God’s generosity.

19th Annotation | Jesse Jackson Duley

Sam invited me to share a peaceful, sacred space where I felt safe and held. As a spiritual director, Sam encouraged me to explore my relationship with Jesus as a friend and companion whose love can be found in all things. Her thoughtful questioning skills enabled me to discover the hidden, beautiful and precious treasures of all that is hidden in the mystery of life, love and hope. My Ignatian retreat with Sam is a significant milestone on my journey with Jesus. Full of gratitude and hope, with Jesus by my side, I would like to 'Go and set the world on fire'.(Ignatius of Loyola)

Deborah Ann Cawley
(Poet, Farmer & Shepherdess)

"Completing the Spiritual exercises with Sam was a total game-changer for me. I've been following Jesus since I was a child, and engaging with the Exercises was by far the most refreshing and revolutionary experience with Jesus I have had. I feel like a new Christian again! I have encountered Jesus in new and vibrant ways, learned to connect with him deeper than before and discovered an ease and simplicity to our onward journey together."

19th Annotation | Daniel Smith

The Exercises with Sam have changed my life in the gentlest and most profound way. As I followed this path written hundreds of years ago, I experienced a journey that seemed to be uniquely written for me! Each week I was able to untangle things I had believed about God, or myself, that were simply not true. I knew there was more to know about God and I sensed that there was intimacy available that I had yet to encounter. Following the Ignatian Exercises, I discovered a greater understanding of who God is, and in light of that, who I am. I meet weekly with Sam (online) where I laughed, cried and wondered. Through her thoughtful questions she guided me through the insights, learning and understanding that had unfolded through the retreat. This served as an anchor and made the journey so much richer as I experienced more of God’s unconditional, limitless love.

Sam has a gift of holding this beautiful space as God transformed my heart and mind. What a gift this journey has been!

19th Annotation | L Archer
Church Minister/Pastor

Going through the exercises with Sam has been profound. Most of my life, I have been more aware of the fast work of God: the healings, miracles, dreams, and prophetic words. But learning how to also recognise God in His slow work—His presence in the everyday moments that are sacred—has been utterly transformative. Sam kindly and graciously created a safe space for me to respond to Jesus' invitations as we went through the exercises. Her wise and insightful reflections and questions helped me to pay attention to what was significant. Going through these exercises has helped me to meet Jesus in the gospel stories in new and profound ways. Jesus has shown me that He is with me, always. I don't have to try to get to where He is or perform in any way to be close to Him. He meets me where I am, in the reality of my brokenness, and simply invites me to a deepening daily surrender as I follow Him.

19th Annotation | Helen Hicks

The Ignatian Exercises once felt like a mystery to me, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I approached them with excitement, anticipation, and a bit of worry about whether I could find the time each day. But God gave generously throughout—through challenge, love, kindness, and practical help, guiding me to find the time and, above all, grace.

Sam walked me through the 18th Annotation, meeting with me weekly—ten times in total—to reflect on the previous week’s prayers, the scriptures, and the themes I was contemplating. Sam helped me take the powerful experiences I had in my prayer time and integrate them into my everyday life. This was the greatest struggle for me, and I am so grateful for Sam’s safe and gentle guidance, leading me toward all that God wanted me to experience through this time.

Sally Lloyd | Church Leader

Retreats

Just wanted to say thank you, this was a really special place to be. The atmosphere you created was beautiful. The materials and art provisions provided were fab and there was everything you could need to really get creative.

The whole retreat was so life-giving and I think everyone could benefit from this. You created a really sacred space, which felt compassionate and loving, and allowed people to be open and share in their journeys. Being able to hear and be heard was really important. The physical location was calm but inspiring. I really enjoyed having the space and freedom to be creative while holding some questions and reflections in my mind.

I loved the time to reflect and feel God’s presence. With gentle encouragement, I was able to be still and focus on what I was doing, tuning my senses to spiritual growth. Doing this with others was inspiring and the environment lent itself to being creative and reflective. Thanks, Sam for creating this time and space for me and God

I loved that the day was well thought out and led, but allowed quiet times and space to go in the creative direction that I wanted to. It was a safe space to connect with God and other people, where everyone was respectful and kind. Thank you Sam for making the experience so positive.

Sam, you are a wonderful facilitator, gentle, encouraging, focused, and able to get us all involved, thank you

Thanks so much for facilitating such a brilliant and very different group. I have never done anything like this before and certainly don’t consider myself an artist. You showed me a new way of looking at the world and in the midst of that, to sit and ponder on where God is in it all and how he reveals himself to us in all things. Amazing how God was speaking to me through a very different piece of art each week and yet the same message came to me again and again and again - slow down and spend more time with me. 45 minutes was a very long time in week one and certainly not long enough by week seven!

Amanda Gilmer | Founder & Managing Director

School of Contemplation

I’ve found being part of a like-minded community very fruitful. The opportunity to accompany and be accompanied has meant I’ve been able to bring spiritual practices to life. Sam and Jason live in this space and have nurtured the practice of bringing spiritual formation into the everyday in an authentic and engaging way, offering insight shaped by their own experiences.

Hannah Bain

At this stage of my life and faith journey, I find myself increasingly drawn to the contemplative style of worship. But I have struggled to find somewhere where I can explore this more fully. So this course came at just the right time for me. We are a few months in now, and I am so enjoying it for a variety of reasons. I look forward to meeting each month with a group of like-minded people. Sam and Jason create a welcoming, safe place where we can come together to explore the different themes without any judgment. The reading material has opened my eyes to new ways of thinking about things and I've found it helpful to explore the different practices in between sessions. Knowing that we will share our experiences of these practices in the group has encouraged me to try them rather than just think about them!

Overall, I would say this course has been hugely significant in my faith journey, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to discover more about the Contemplative Life within a welcoming and safe environment

Fiona Firmin

Sam and Jason have a special gift for hosting and facilitating with love and care. Their insights, drawn from rich experience, help bring clarity and meaning to the different themes and practices we explore. Being part of a group has made the journey even more enriching — as we've gotten to know each other, it has become a really safe, authentic space to grow and explore.

So far, the journey has been far more impactful than I ever expected — I would highly recommend it. I’m drawn to contemplative ways of being because they feel like the most real and authentic ways I’ve found to know God, and to see and hear Him. God is in everything, so it makes the most sense to me to open up to ways of connecting that go beyond simply singing some songs and praying sometimes.

This experience is beginning to join the dots of what I was seeking but hadn’t been able to find before: a real connection and relationship with Jesus. I’ve loved learning that imagination is a gift from God that He uses to draw me closer. This course has been profoundly impactful in shaping my core understanding of who God is and how He sees me.

One of the biggest shifts I’ve noticed is how I relate to myself: I’m starting to not run away from the hard things, or from God. I’m beginning to be able to linger longer and stay curious because I’m learning that He is my safe space.

It is difficult to express in words the impact of this wonderful monthly course that quietly draws you closer to Jesus. In the busy, noisy world of today, spending time with others, reflecting on faith, is a gift. Thank you

Jeremy Gilmer

Debriefing

We had been Vineyard Church pastors for over 25 years when, in 2024, we felt called to step down and pass on the leadership of our local church to others. While the transition process was smooth, affirming, and trouble-free, suddenly not being in pastoral ministry—not being responsible—felt very strange.

Sam and Jason provided space for us to talk through our history, exploring both the hurt and disappointment, as well as the joy and moments of deep gratitude.

We chose to meet on two Saturdays, spaced a few months apart. This approach worked very well for us as a couple. In the first session, we reflected on the past and allowed time for everything to settle and consolidate. By the second, we were able to engage with fresh thoughts that had surfaced, and then look ahead—dreaming about where God might be leading us next.

Sam and Jason hosted us beautifully in their home. It was safe, comfortable, and the food was delicious. They are compassionate listeners, offering plenty of space and freedom. They asked insightful questions and intuitively knew when to leave us in silence to think, or to step back and allow us space to process as a couple. At times, they offered prayer; at others, they gently led us into God’s presence to bring our reflections before Him. Sometimes, they simply left us alone or encouraged us to take a walk.
It was a hugely beneficial process. We both felt we had given proper attention to the closing of a chapter and now look forward with openness and hope to what could be next.

D&E House

After six and a half years of church planting, including leading through the pandemic, my wife and I decided to take a sabbatical. Our first port of call was to spend a day with Sam and Jason to debrief the previous few years and tell the story so far. We found this experience to be extraordinarily worthwhile!

Sam and Jason listened with love and humour, helped us to identify how and what God had been saying over the years, and to chat through some of the hurts we were carrying. Sam and Jason were insightful with their comments, helping to draw answers out of us rather than imposing their opinions, but they were also extremely generous with encouragement. We left feeling seen, loved, encouraged and empowered. We also felt lighter than air! We would do it again in a heartbeat

D&E Smith

My husband and I had a joint day of debriefing/spiritual direction with Sam & Jason to kick off our sabbatical, and could not recommend it highly enough. Both Jason & Sam were so welcoming, kind, fun and sensitive. We came out of the day refreshed, encouraged and empowered to step into the following months well. Their hospitality, experience and wisdom ensured a super helpful and insightful day”

My debrief with Sam was so deeply special and precious in ways I find difficult to articulate in a way that fully reflects the experience of
transformation and healing that occurred.

My debrief was over two sessions a week apart.
Sam created a beautiful, safe space to remember the past season, explore the now and look forward towards the future. Her insightful questions, along with the beautiful presence of God, brought clarity and peace that moved me towards renewed hope and joy.

In an ideal world, I think for leaders we should make time and space for this as an annual
spiritual practice.

Lynne A

Sam Whiley