Offerings Chapel - Spiritual Development Team

Todd Pickett

A native Californian, Todd has been an English professor for many years and is now Dean of Spiritual Development at Biola University. He has degrees in Classical languages and literature from Stanford University and from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, an M.A. in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from Biola University, and a Ph.D. in English from the University of California (Irvine). He leads retreats, undertakes group and individual spiritual direction, preaches regularly and speaks frequently to groups on Christian spiritual formation from an evangelical perspective. He lives in Costa Mesa, CA, and is married to Dottie Cox Pickett, a marriage and family therapist.

Lisa Igram

Before coming to Biola in 2009 to complete Talbot's M.Div. Spiritual Formation & Soul Care program, Lisa worked for 7 years in International Education, earning an MA in TESOL from Azusa Pacific University, teaching English overseas and then working as Director of International Students Programs at Hope International University. Lisa has taught at APU, Pacific Christian College, the Institute for International Studies, and Southwest Petroleum University in China.  A member of Evangelical Spiritual Director's Association, Lisa has experience designing and leading multi-day retreats and other seminars in spiritual formation and has worked as a spiritual director for individuals and small groups.  She joined the Spiritual Development staff in 2012, where she especially enjoys opportunities to teach and train in spiritual formation and connect one-on-one with students. 

Mike Ahn

Mike Ahn is the Director of Worship and Formation. He received his M.Div in Spiritual Formation from Talbot School of Theology in 2009 and joined Biola Spiritual Development in 2012. Prior to working at Biola, Mike was a high school teacher/chaplain and pastor for 10 years.

He and his wife, Mary, have two young children, Zoe and Zane.

Chad Miller

Chad Miller, Director of Spiritual Formation, works closely with the dean and associate dean in discipling students and training leaders in spiritual development.  He also oversees the “Fives” and “Sabbathing” programs, as well as retreats for Biola students.

Lisa Ishihara

Lisa Ishihara has served as the Director of Chapel Programs at Biola University since 2008.  She oversees Biola's undergraduate morning chapels, AfterDark chapels, the Torrey Memorial Bible Conference and their respective student leadership teams and interns. She graduated from CSUF with a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and received her M.Div. from Talbot School of Theology in 2008.  She is currently pursuing her Masters in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care.  Lisa is a member of the Free Methodist Church and loves her multi-generational local church.  Prior to campus ministry she worked in the local church for 10 years and was Executive Team Leader for Target Corporation.  In her free time, she enjoys sharing a good meal with friends and family, watching movies and traveling to beautiful places.