Bethany Congregations
Applications are open for Bethany Congregations Cohort #3!
We are a movement of people of faith seeking embodied resilience of spirit, ecology, systems, and community.
Bethany Congregations, a ministry of the Bethany Fellows, is offering opportunities for ten congregations to accompany one another in the Bethany Way. The 18-month journey will move congregations through Sabbath, Awareness of God, Discernment, and Action.
Next steps
● Prayerfully discern with your leadership teams whether this journey is right for your congregation.
● Schedule a conversation with Scott and the Bethany Congregations Team for clergy and two lay leaders interested in participating.
● Explore optional studies and resources designed to support your congregation as you prepare for or continue this work.
Important dates
● Prospective Congregation Virtual Call Wednesday, June 10, 7pm ET Register Here
● Application Deadline Saturday, August 15, 2026
● Welcome Retreat (In Person) Asheville, NC October 9-12, 2026
Bethany Congregations Leadership Team
Carol Hovis
Carol has been a leader in faith communities, nonprofits, and community organizing for 37 years. She holds a B.A. in International Relations from Dickinson College, an M.Div. from Union Theological Seminary in NYC, a Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction from San Francisco Theological Seminary, and Teacher Certification with The Narrative Enneagram. Her ministry has shaped a generation of youth and families at Providence Presbyterian Church (Fairfax, VA), founded an Industrial Areas Foundation affiliate in Marin County, CA, rebuilt the Marin Interfaith Council, and brought spiritual direction and enneagram education to hundreds of individuals, congregations, and organizations across the Carolinas, Virginia, Tennessee, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Carol and her husband, Chris Highland—an author, teacher, and Humanist Celebrant—live in Asheville.
Jenna Lindbo
Jenna is a seasoned musician, facilitator, and community builder. She has dedicated her career to inspiring connection through music, storytelling, and innovative retreat experiences. Her unique background—from touring musician to co-facilitator of creative retreats—enables her to engage volunteers in meaningful, transformative ways, making her an invaluable asset to the Bethany community. A colleague described her perfectly: “…Jenna connects with people with genuineness and joy. She is thoughtful, intentional, compassionate, and dare I say—a truly magical human being.”
Kim Gage Ryan
Kim is a retired Bethany Fellows Co-Director and Pastor. Building on 25 years of Disciples congregational experience in Texas, Indiana, and Missouri, Kim has been involved with Bethany Fellows since 1999, first as a mentor/leader and as Director/Co-Pastor of the Bethany Fellows ministry since 2010. Kim currently serves as one of the Bethany Congregations’ leaders.
Mollie Landers-Hatt
Mollie is the Associate Pastor of Lakewood United Church of Christ in Lakewood, CO, and has previously served as a Bridge Pastor in two Rocky Mountain Conference churches and in outdoor ministry leadership roles for the New Hampshire and Maine Conferences of the UCC. A graduate of Catawba College, Wesley Theological Seminary, and Andover Newton Theological School, she was ordained in 2012. Mollie lives in Denver with her husband Andrew, their two young children, and two brindle dogs. She loves swimming, hiking, camping, canoeing, and outdoor concerts.
Bethany Congregations Project Director
Scott Hardin-Nieri
Scott is a pastor, spiritual director, Bethany Fellows alum, dad, and partner. Scott has served with congregations in Texas, Colorado, and California, as a nonprofit leader in North Carolina, and currently also serves as Co-Minister for Green Chalice. He lives with his partner, Becca, and delights in his two young adult children and pup.
Bethany Congregations Advisory Council
Rev. Dr. John T. Myers
Rev. Dr. John T. Myers helped launch Bethany Congregations and served on the leadership team for two cohorts, and served as a Bethany Ecumenical group Mentor/leader. John retired after serving as Minister of Church Affairs for the Eastern Virginia Association of the Southern Conference of the United Church of Christ. John is active with the NAACP and the Virginia Council of Churches and is a 21-year veteran of the US Navy.
Rev. Teresa Blythe
Rev. Teresa Blythe is a spiritual director, writer, and conference keynote speaker in the Christian tradition. She serves as the spiritual director for First United Church of Christ in Phoenix and runs the Phoenix Center for Spiritual Direction. She has also served as the Director of the Hesychia School of Spiritual Direction at the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Tucson, AZ.
Rev. Sandhya Jha
Former Leaders
Rev. Dr. Dara Cobb Lewis
Rev. Dr. Dara Cobb Lewis is a Bethany Fellows alumna and serves as a Mentor/leader with the
Bethany Fellows Disciples group. Dara serves as Regional Minister of the South Carolina region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She has been a congregational pastor and is currently a pastoral counselor and spiritual director. Dara has done work in anti-racism/pro-reconciliation ministries in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).