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Janice Munemitsu

Author / Ministry Board Member / Spiritual Director

Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, M.A. '15

The ISF program and curriculum went beyond the text of the Word to invite me into a true experiential relationship with Christ. Leaving moral formation behind and learning that I am called to truly abide and BE with Christ, as He leads me on the path for my life.

How did your program at Biola prepare you for your career?

I have a private practice as a spiritual director and would not have been equipped to do this without the ISF program. The program provided me the environment to challenge my faith and grow. This has been critical in my roles on various ministry boards: A3 global leadership, Bible Project, National Christian Foundation CA, and Malachi 3 Foundation.

These ministry boards were specifically looking for someone with spiritual formation background. In addition, I authored "The Kindness of Color" — my family's story during the WWII incarceration camps and Mendez v. Westminster, 1947 federal court case that led to the desegregation of Calif. schools seven years before Brown v. Board of Education. Without spiritual healing/grounding that was a result of ISF, I doubt I could have well entered into this space of my family's past and written about the incarceration and unjust arrest of my grandfather. I also speak 5-6 times/mo.about the impact of kindness in the midst of adversity.

What did you appreciate most about your time at Biola?

ISF was a true community of "wounded healers" for me. My mother died the first semester of the program and my fellow students and the faculty/staff were instrumental in my journey of grief. After my mother's death, I had no immediate family — a family of one — and so I needed their support and care as I journeyed through the MA program. This experience has been so formative as I journey as a spiritual director through times of major loss and grief.

How did Biola equip you to be a more faithful follower of Jesus Christ?

The ISF program and curriculum went beyond the text of the Word to invite me into a true experiential relationship with Christ. Leaving moral formation behind and learning that I am called to truly abide and BE with Christ, as He leads me on the path for my life. He truly is my caring shepherd and I can trust Him in all situations. The prayer projects were significant for me to process my life, my loss, my grief and truly surrender to Him.

What advice would you give to students considering your degree program?

It was an honor and blessing to attend ISF. I thought I would only do the shorter certificate program, but near the completion of that, God told me "that this is a gift, and I only opened part of it" and that I was to continue through the full MA program. I am so glad that I followed! It is the experience of a lifetime — this life and the next! And I have the training to help lead and facilitate others on their spiritual journey. The ISF MA program and practicum well equipped me to now be a spiritual director in private practice and I am truly blessed and grateful to Dr. John, Betsy, and Judy as they led the way!