Transition Statement
In the fall of 2022, Genesis Institute’s Board of Directors made the decision to cease providing mental health counseling services. At the time, the Board indicated that it was entering into a season of exploration and discernment, prayerfully seeking the Holy Spirit’s direction on how He would have us participate in His work going forward. We had a sense that He was in the process of transforming our mission into one focused on relational spirituality – specifically, exploring, encouraging and developing relationship with the Trinity. But we had no idea of what that might look like.
As part of our exploration, we began having discussions with the Spiritual Formation Society of Arizona. Those discussions focused on how we could collaborate with each other to encourage those with a desire for a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Trinity. In the process we discovered that we have a mutually shared vision to create safe environments where Christ-followers may experience and grow in the love of the Trinity through Christian spiritual formation, direction and companionship.
In response to the Spirit’s movement, we are pleased to introduce the Spiritual Formation Society of Washington, formerly known as Genesis Institute. We are the newest member of the Spiritual Formation Society, a collaboration between SFSWA, SFSAZ, and others, united through a “Shared Vision, Expressed Locally.” Through networking and co-laboring, we desire to bring Spiritual Formation resources to Washington and promote what God is doing in our local area. We believe this new work is initiated, guided and directed by the Holy Spirit in His faithful response to our prayers for discernment and direction.
Vision of the Society
The desire of SFSWA is to foster the spiritual formation movement in Washington (and beyond) & create safe environments where learners and leaders can experience and grow in the love of the Trinity.
Through networking and co-laboring, we bring Spiritual Formation resources to Washington and highlight what God is up to in our local area.
If you’d like to work together, let us know!
Our Understanding of Spiritual Formation
In simple terms, we believe that God is always at work in shaping us into the image of Christ. He is the initiator of our relationship with Him, and we are shaped as we pay attention to what He is doing. Attentiveness is developed through spiritual disciplines and God’s grace.
WE OFFER A SAFE PLACE TO GROW AND EXPLORE ON YOUR JOURNEY OF THE HEART. FROM OUR REGULAR COLLECTIVES TO SOUL CARE DAYS TO AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE, OUR DESIRE IS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS:
- exposure (learning from the rich historical and Biblical tradition of spiritual formation)
- experience (not just talking about Him, but experiencing Him together)
- encouragement (support for your life in Christ and in your ministry for Him)
WHILE OUR EVENTS ARE OPEN TO ALL LEARNERS AND LEADERS WHO ARE DESIRING TO GROW DEEPER IN THEIR INTIMACY WITH GOD, WE ALSO AIM TO BE A SUPPORT FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF SOUL CARE:
- spiritual directors
- counselors
- pastors/ministers
Statement of Belief (Nicean Creed, 325 AD)
We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for [that acknowledges] the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Join us in our mission
Donate today or become a member!
*Purchasing an annual membership in the society does several things: it helps in securing locations and materials for Collectives and other gatherings for which there is no charge; it builds our networking through web presence/emails/etc; it provides for administrative costs; it ensures that we are able to develop annual resources and large events; it aids in keeping events as inexpensive as possible. Click on the Membership link above for more information.