Staff
John March
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
John completed his MDiv from Gorrdon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 2003. He worked as a college pastor in Boston, MA at a young church plant before moving back to the Twin Cities in 2006. He and his wife planted a Covenant Church, New City, in 2009. John was trained as a spiritual director through Selah, a ministry of Leadership Transformations from 2018-2020. In 2021, he left his role as Lead Pastor at New City to join the staff of Restoration Ministries.
Leanne Esch
DIRECTOR OF RETREATS
Leanne completed a two-year spiritual direction program through Shalem Institute in December of 2019. In March of 2023, she completed an 18 month program, “Transforming Communities: Leading Contemplative Groups and Retreats.” Prior to pursuing spiritual direction as a vocation, Leanne worked as a social worker and spiritual care coordinator for her church. Leanne enjoys camping, traveling, writing, eating yummy food, spending time on the river, and singing on the worship team at her church.
Anne-Marie Finsaas
DIRECTOR OF CONTEMPLATIVE COMMUNITIES FOR CLERGY
John completed his MDiv from Gorrdon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 2003. He worked as a college pastor in Boston, MA at a young church plant before moving back to the Twin Cities in 2006. He and his wife planted a Covenant Church, New City, in 2009. John was trained as a spiritual director through Selah, a ministry of Leadership Transformations from 2018-2020. In 2021, he left his role as Lead Pastor at New City to join the staff of Restoration Ministries.
Kim Isaak
DIRECTOR OF DOORWAYS
Kim completed her Master’s Degree in Spiritual Formation and Leadership from Spring Arbor University in 2012. She was granted a certificate in spiritual direction in 2013 from Restoration Ministries after a 10-year apprenticeship with Rev. Jean Leih, founder of Restoration Ministries and was licensed for Pastoral Ministry. Kim completed her Supervision training with Together in the Mystery in 2018. She learned to companion the suffering, the dying and those who love them while immersed in a 9-month internship in Clinical Pastoral Education. Most recently, in 2023, Kim completed intensive training in Inner Relationship Focusing which is a compassionate, non-invasive way to befriend the thoughts, feelings and emotions held in the body in trauma safe ways. As a Certified Focusing Teacher, Kim’s teaching blends focusing and spirituality through Doorways to the Soul courses and Befriending Your Soul workshops. Kim enjoys the outdoors, especially walking near water and loves to adventure with her husband and grown children. A refreshing weekend includes a good book, baking bread and breaking bread around a table with others
Board Of Directors
Restoration Ministries is incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and as such we are governed by a Board of Directors which is instrumental in safeguarding our legal requirements, ministry distinctive, and program development. The Board of Directors is involved in the oversight of our strategic decisions and alignment of ministry initiatives with our vision and mission. We are a praying board and each time we meet we gather around the presence of Christ to listen together. From this time of listening we discover and discern how God is leading us as a ministry.
Tony Kroening
BOARD CHAIR
Who listened to you?
My youth pastor listened and took interest in me and my spiritual growth. He wasn’t judgmental and he wasn’t trying to win me over. He was a friend and he cared through his availability and his willingness to hear my story and my struggles. A mentor pastor when I was the young idealist, was one of the most caring and compassionate people I know. He was truly engaged as he listened and interacted with me in my vision and my idealism. He cared, he didn’t judge, and he heard my heart and not just my words.
Why I value the Ministry of Spiritual Listening:
Listening can be a deep spiritual gift to others and it is transformational when it is done with the heart and compassion of Christ. Listening takes time, thereby it is a gift and an act of service. We all so busy and we have so much to say, but to truly have someone slow down and tune in to our lives is healing and validating.
What vocation has God guided you into?
I assist Churches, Faith Based Non Profits, and some Corporations (the ones with real heart) in defining, identifying and recruiting the best leaders. I coach leaders in job fit, change, and spiritual discernment. My hobbies are remodeling, hunting, and fishing while my heart is for my family, their growth, and their pleasure in life.
Kim Isaak
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
Who first listened to you?
My Grandma. She was old and gentle, always having time to sit and listen to me tell her whatever was on my heart. I also remember my dad and I often beginning the morning in quiet silence or simply being together watching storms from our front porch. While I did not have words for this at the time, my initial meetings with a spiritual director in my early 30’s were prompted by this desire to simply be with someone who was intentional about listening to me.
Why do I value the ministry of spiritual listening?
Because it is a safe and confidential place to be vulnerable with parts of my story and wrestle with God. A good listener gives me courage to be quiet and listen and also discern what action is being called for.
What vocation has God guided you into?
Spiritual listening and companionship, and encouraging. I also support leaders in their own formation and the subsequent health and vitality of the organizations they serve.
Diane Johnson
SECRETARY
Board of Reference
Those on our Board of Reference have been invited to serve as a reference for Restoration Ministries as one willing to attest to our soundness in Christian theological thought and ministry methodology, and have agreed to have their names listed as one of our ministry references. They also have agreed to gather with our Board of Directors on a periodic basis for sharing of insight, information and ongoing discernment.
Each has been invited to serve in our ministry in this way because of their impact and influence on us and the ministry as it has developed. We value their wisdom and insight in the disciplines of Christian spiritual formation and direction ministries.
Rev. Jean Leih, M.Div., D.Min.
Founder of Restoration Ministries
Our founder, Jean Leih, has transitioned into a season of northern living. While she is not currently adding new directees, please feel free to read her bio. Jean has shepherded and guided so many in their gift of spiritual companioning. We, the board and spiritual directors at Restoration Ministries, are grateful for her leadership and life lived simply for God’s glory.
Dr. Glenn E. Myers, Ph.D
Glenn was a founding board member of Restoration Ministries. He serves as Professor of Church History and Theological Studies at Crown College. Dr. Myers is the author of Seeking Spiritual Intimacy: Journeying Deeper with Medieval Women of Faith and has written numerous articles for the Zondervan Dictionary of Christian Spirituality.
He shares his wisdom and writing on his blog Deep Wells.
Jeannette A. Bakke, Ph.D
Author: Holy Invitation: Exploring Spiritual Direction
Marji Karjalahti, M.Div.
Marji has been active for many years in leading manuscript studies and guiding others into the big story of God.