Becoming A Spiritual Companion
Accompanying One Another to Deeper Intimacy with God
A LIVE 5-WEEK Online Program
with Joyce De Ridder, Ph.D., Co-Founder of Associates in Accomplishment, Teacher, Missionary, and Author of Courage to Change: Missions in Memoir
Witness and experience a transforming trialogue with the Holy Spirit and a spiritual companion that deepens you, heightens your joy, and gives shared satisfaction as you walk together.
Like me, you may long for a vibrant spiritual life – one marked by a growing intimacy with God, a clearer recognition of His voice and a quickened obedience.
You sense the value in having a like-minded believer walk with you. Sharing your journey with someone who listens and bears witness to your journey magnifies joy and affirms what is real. Experientially, you want to know that the Christian life was never meant to be “me and God” but “we and God.”
The problem is that your deep spiritual desire for more becomes a quiet weight you carry alone. Perhaps silence feels safer than risking the vulnerability of saying that your relationships with fellow believers feel shallow. You are unsure who else shares this longing or would welcome a deeper conversation about it.
It feels safer to accept your relationships as “good enough” than to expose your need for authentic spiritual companionship as you seek a deeper experience with God.
Our secular culture forms in us mindsets that tend to seep into our spiritual lives and the life of the church – a busy life is a full life, get involved but keep personal things private, downplay risks in relationships, don’t be too vulnerable.
The good news is that you don’t have to settle for “good enough” in your spiritual journey. There is more.
Becoming a Spiritual Companion is a program that offers you a way to go deeper with another person toward the intimacy with God you long for.
As you move through this program together with others, you will discover what it means to truly hear and be heard, to genuinely see and be seen by a spiritual companion. You will learn how to engage in a sacred trialogue – reflecting on each other’s experience while becoming more aware of the Holy Spirit’s voice and His work in your lives.
Becoming a Spiritual Companion is a transformational process.
It starts where you are today and continues to shape you as you move forward with another person.
In this program, you will learn how to invite mutual reflection and deeper conversations about where God is present and at work in your life. As you learn to discern and obey the voice of the Spirit, you will release the need to offer solutions to each other’s problems or struggles and to celebrate growth together.
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By the end of course, you’ll experience:
- A renewed vision of spiritual maturity rooted in presence – God’s presence and your presence with one another.
- Practical clarity on how to begin and nurture a spiritual companionship relationship
- A deeper experience of intimacy with God through shared reflection on how you and your spiritual companion are noticing His work
- Greater emotional freedom and authenticity as you open yourself and grow
- Courage to receive as well as to give within spiritual relationships
- A growing desire to help others discover this same richness and depth
I invite you to join me and a group of like-minded Christian women in this process of becoming…
My Personal Journey and Invitation to You
For more than twenty years of my Christian life, I struggled with going through the motions spiritually, staying involved in church, Bible studies, and Christian friendships, but lacking intimacy with God.Â
I knew intimacy was possible. During the first decade of my Christian life, my relationship with Christ was marked by eagerness, openness, faithfulness, and a surprising intimacy. I experienced the Lord’s guidance and His presence in my daily life. Several believers nurtured my spiritual growth during that period.
Subtly and gradually, I was drawn away from a spiritual sensitivity and toward an increasingly achievement-oriented mindset. I was no longer seeking God’s direction but asking Him to bless the path I mapped out for myself.
Yet even during those years God was quietly at work—guiding my interests, arranging circumstances, and drawing me back to Himself. When He renewed my desire for intimacy with Him, He also provided a spiritual companion. I experienced how mutual attentiveness to the Holy Spirit's work in each of us gave us a sustained, stable, consistent, and life-giving spiritual walk.
I counted that relationship as extraordinary and a blessing. I didn’t have words to describe how it came about or developed. I viewed it as a gift rather than something I could choose.
Over the last forty years, I have walked together with many Christian women and shared parts of my spiritual journey. However, it has been rarer to engage with another in seeing and being seen openly and vulnerably in a mutual experience of growing toward deeper intimacy with God.
More than a year ago, I discovered spiritual companionship was formed within the exercise of a discipline that could be defined, described, developed, and sustained. I decided then to organize what I had learned and share it. It grew into what I am offering today. Â
In the weeks ahead, I invite you to explore with me the insights, practices, and blessings that have shaped my journey—and to discover your own opportunity to choose a path of spiritual companionship.
Joyce De Ridder, Ph.D., Co-Founder of Associates in Accomplishment, Teacher, Missionary, and Author of Courage to Change: Missions in Memoir
What People Are Saying
"Joyce brings a unique blend of lived experience and deep, thoughtful study to everything she does. Her communication style is clear and engaging, and her passion for helping others grow is truly inspiring."
Joy Hemmes
Church Secretary
"Dr. Joyce De Ridder’s insights and guidance have had a profound impact on my life and the way I think. She creates a learning environment where you feel safe to ask questions and grow at your own pace."
Daniela Sinkova
Translator
"Joyce is an inspiring teacher who models a deep, authentic faith with wisdom and humility. She gently challenges others to grow, encouraging reflection while meeting each person with grace and understanding."
Marilyn O’Brien
Discipler and Mentor
"Dr. Joyce De Ridder listens intently, thinks deeply, and asks penetrating questions that provide a foundational basis for proactive changes. I am a better leader but also a better person because of the time I have spent with her."
Cheryl Ward
Christian School Executive Director
Here’s What You’ll Learn
Module 1
What is Spiritual Companionship: Distinguishing the collaborative characteristic of having a spiritual companion
In the first session, we will distinguish spiritual companionship from Christian counseling, discipleship, and mentoring. You will develop a clear picture of the attitudes, commitments, and relational qualities that make this practice unique.Â
In this module, you will discover:
- The defining characteristics of a spiritual companionship relationship
- The essential traits of a spiritual companion.
- How to identify and choose the right spiritual companion for you.
Module 2
Who is Central in the Relationship: Attending to the Holy Spirit’s Work in Our Lives
In the second session, we’ll turn our shared attention toward the Holy Spirit and learn how to reflect on each other’s experiences. You’ll understand that each companion’s role is to be fully present as you both discern and respond to the spirit’s voice.Â
In this module, you will discover:
- How prayer and Scripture meditation open you to a fuller experience with God.
- How spiritual companionship strengthens discernment.
- How companionship deepens intimacy with God.
Module 3
How We Walk Together: Choosing a Structure that Serves the Two of Us
In the third session, you’ll explore the practical rhythms that shape spiritual companionship. Through examples of real companionship relationships, you will identify a structure that fits your own needs and season.
In this module, you’ll discover:
- How spiritual companionship works one-on-one or in small groups.
- What meeting structure, frequency, and duration best support attentiveness.
- How to alternate roles as you share and listen during your time together.
Module 4
What We Talk About: Engaging Topics that Foster Spiritual Growth
In the fourth session, we’ll review the kinds of conversations that spiritual companions often enter – conversations that go far deeper than typical Christian fellowship. You’ll learn how to approach these topics with safety, reverence, and expectancy.
In this module, you’ll discover:
- How to engage topics in a way that promotes mutual spiritual growth.
- How trust deepens and shapes the direction of your conversations.
- How to keep the focus and purpose of spiritual companionship central.
Module 5
What We Risk and What We Gain: Navigating Challenges and Receiving the Gifts of Spiritual Companionship
In the final session, we’ll explore both the challenges and the profound gifts of spiritual companionship. Together, you’ll identify cultural pressures and personal tendencies that can hinder this relationship and how to move beyond them.
In this module, you’ll discover:
- How to minimize obstacles in spiritual companionship.
- How to cultivate and enjoy its deepest benefits.
- How to encourage and multiply spiritual companionship relationships.
More of what Others are Saying
"My experience of Joyce’s teaching makes me confident that this course will offer a systematic and inspirational study of spiritual companionship, providing a resource that we will come back to time and time again.”
Laura Smolnikova
"IJoyce lives by the Word of God. Teaching others how this can influence people, help them grow in their faith and get grounding for their decisions and actions. Her trust in the Lord inspires and encourages me when action is required"
Monika Meltzerova
"Joyce loves the Bible and is always ready to share her personal experiences with the Lord. Joyce has helped me enter a deep relationship with the Lord. She speaks the truth and helps you to understand it."
Katarina Slizikova
"I have continually marveled over Joyce’s empathy and insights. As moments of challenge, her loving encouragement and ability to see things from a biblically based perspective have helped to clarify issues and motivate me toward un-thought-of possibilities."
Patricia Owens
It’s More Than a Course - It’s a Community!
As you join others, you will be a part of a supportive community with similar desires and goals in this live online program for five weekly sessions. Then, you will have access to six community meetings on Zoom in the weeks that follow. During these times you may bond with other enrolled in this program with whom you choose to continue your journey. Together you will share the joy of discovery, find mutual support, and engage in creating a dynamic learning environment.
Here’s What You’ll Receive:
Five LIVE teaching sessions
Each week, the teaching sessions will be live, giving you an opportunity to move through the content together with the same group of people. Don’t worry if you miss any session. They will be recorded and available.
Five LIVE Q&A Sessions
At the end of each live teaching session, you’ll have the opportunity to ask Joyce questions that come up as you explore becoming a spiritual companion.
Video recordings of all sessions
Each session will be recorded to give you ongoing access to the content for replay during the weeks of the course and beyond.
Enhancement materials for each session
At the end of each session, you will find two or more resources, such as inventories, exercises, or other print or audio materials, to enhance your learning of the content.
Course Bonuses
Instant Registration Bonus
Expires 24 Hours from Free Workshop -Â 1 to 1 Personalized Spiritual Companion Session w/ Joyce
Joyce will help you overcome fears and obstacles to further support you in becoming a spiritual companionship.
Early Registration Bonus
Expires Friday, October 2nd -Â Intimacy Basics: Readiness for Intimate Friendships (Mini course and Workbook)
Enhance your relationships by learning how to build skills in active listening, appropriate self-disclosure, and giving and receiving feedback tactfully.
Live Post Course Community Coaching w/ Joyce
Joyce will lead you in face to face group coaching, live once a week for 6 weeks. Bring your challenges, concerns and questions as you work to implement what you've learned in finding and nurturing a spiritual companion. You'll also meet and connect with your course mates. Maybe you'll meet your spiritual companion here.
Three Guided Scripture Meditations
Meditation on Scripture is essential to a deeper intimacy with God and a vital part of becoming a spiritual companion. You will be led to engage in three recorded transformative meditations.
The Value in Writing Our Prayers Workshop
Kate Motaung shares why and how she began writing prayers, their significance in her life, and why she recommends it as part of spiritual formation. Kate has published two books of written prayers.
Together these bonuses are more than twice the value of the course alone.
Enroll Now
Course begins on Thursday, October 8, 2026, for 5 weeks
10:00 am Pacific/ 1:00 pm Eastern/ 6:00 pm GMT
Can’t make it live? No problem!
Video recordings of all sessions will be available for downloading and streaming.
Here’s a summary of what the 5-week course includes:
- Five Live weekly teaching sessions
- Five LIVE Q&A Sessions
- Video recordings of each session
- Enhancement materials for each session
- Bonuses in addition to the course
An Important Fact About Income from This Course
100% Goes to Missions. ALL INCOME from this program goes directly to Associates in Accomplishment, Inc. and the mission projects it supports.
The minimum contribution to participate in this five-session course is $25. This amount is intentionally kept low so that financial circumstances will not prevent anyone from participating.
If you are able, I invite you to prayerfully consider making a larger contribution. Whether you give $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, or another amount, I encourage you to seek the Lord's guidance and give as He leads you. Your generosity helps make this ministry available to more women and supports the ongoing development of resources that foster spiritual growth.
REGISTER BELOW WITH THE PAYMENT OF YOUR CHOICE:
About Joyce De Ridder
Joyce De Ridder is a teacher and mentor with decades of experience nurturing spiritual growth across all ages and life stages. Her mission is to help people recognize their own spiritual growth needs, discover the transforming power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, and understand the vital role a supportive Christian community plays in sustained spiritual formation.
She is the cofounder of Associates in Accomplishment, Inc., a nonprofit through which she and ministry partner Joe Ann Shelton served both in the United States and abroad. Together, they taught, trained, counseled, and modeled healthy patterns of living for individuals, families, and groups.Â
Joyce holds four degrees – a bachelor’s, two master’s degrees, and a Ph.D. She spent many years teaching at universities, later serving in administrative leadership with an international mission board, before moving to Slovakia for 12 years of mission service.
Since returning to the United States, Joyce has continued her involvement in Christian ministry and writing, offering biblically rooted, practical wisdom for those seeking deeper spiritual growth and transformation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For any questions not answered here please contact me at: [email protected].
