About
Jessie Thompson
My life’s work is to Welcome, Bless, Restore & Reconcile.
I am a PNW native who now lives in the desert, and I am continually discovering how landscape impacts our sense of identity and spirituality. I am a Spiritual Director/Spiritual Companion and an Episcopal priest with a passion to gather folks to create space for the Holy. I have a BA in Religion, a Certificate in Anglican Studies from Church Divinity School of the Pacific (Graduate Theological Union) in Berkeley, CA, and received a Master of Divinity and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Transforming Spirituality with an emphasis in Spiritual Direction at The Seattle University School of Theology & Ministry. I have experience as an interfaith chaplain at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, one of only two Level I trauma centers in the state of Oregon and home to the only burn center between Seattle and Sacramento. I am a graduate of the Shalem Institute’s Contemplative Leadership program. I have over 25 years of ministry experience, faith formation facilitation, and student/adult leadership training.
Outside of my work as a priest, educator, adjunct religion professor, and spiritual director, I am a speaker, retreat facilitator, spiritual experience leader, and event planner in a variety of settings. My passions and areas of teaching/spiritual listening include creating space for people to encounter the Holy, Body Theology, Labyrinth work, MBTI, Enneagram, contemplative practices, LGBTQIA+ spirituality, the Divine Feminine, inner healing that leads to justice and healing in the wider world, discovering God’s deepest desires in our lives, work around transitions and ‘middle space,’ hospitality/intentional vulnerability, anger, forgiveness, grief, and loss.
My heart beats for the marginalized, and I seek to provide safe spaces for all to feel welcomed, known, loved, and celebrated. I am a sucker for watching God’s grace show up in unexpected places, and I love the idea of second-chances and transformation. I have enjoyed working with a variety of folks from different faith (and non-faith) traditions, as we listen together for how the Holy might be healing and moving in your life.
Referrals
“My times with Jessie have always been like being on a reality show of spirituality…nothing scripted, nothing cliche, just honest, gritty, heartfelt and of course full of hilarity!!”
- Paul
“The work that Jessie is doing seems like what she has been gifted for. I know how God has blessed her with the ability to allow people to comfortably engage the world from a place of honesty and humility. I loved our time together because we could mourn and rejoice together, but more than that we could talk about the depth and breadth of life without feeling the need to ‘fix’ something. We opened the door for the conversation, then stepped back and let God do the fixing”
– Anya
“Jessie, the number one thing you helped me to understand and have a new understanding of is how I viewed God. For most of my life I viewed God as a stern, ready to hammer Deity when I failed in my walk. Now, I view the Lord as a loving God, ready to forgive and show me grace, forgiveness and more grace. I enjoy this new overall picture of God…Thanks Jessie for the season you walked along side me.”
– Ed
“Jessie Thompson will look you right in the eye, listen to your whole story, and speak truth into your life in an accepting and sometimes challenging way. She’s recognized my giftedness and helped me understand how to be myself while pushing myself to be better. And oh yeah, she does it all in a spiritual context that’s refreshing and honest.”
- Andrew
“I know Jessie to be one of the most authentic people I’ve ever met. She lives her life full-out with much gusto and laughter, yet she is prayerful and deeply faithful. I have experienced her guidance as she holds up what she knows to be true about God’s call in my life in a way I cannot deny. As she encourages me to live into my God-given gifts, her commitment to do the same is inspirational!”
– B.Sol
“I have been blessed to have Jessie in my life for many years. One of the most special memories I will take with me came in our first year of [spiritual direction]. During high school I went through some hard times…Jessie has prayed with me and for me more often than I can count. However, what sticks out to me is when she sat with me on the floor in her office, crying with me. No words. Tears. Love. Support.”
– Laura
“Jessie is always willing to listen and give her complete attention to me. She has a way of seeing into the soul and discerning when or if things are going well inside a person or if there is some sadness or a hesitant response. She is a person who is compassionate and willing to love others unconditionally. These are gifts from God. When I think of her, I think of the big love that Jessie is willing to share with everyone.”
– Connie
“Spiritual direction helped me to channel the courage I needed to make purposeful turns in my life. Seeking out spiritual direction with Jessie was one of the best gifts I gave to myself, and then Jessie with the help of the Spirit magnified this gift ten-fold.”
– Brandon
“Having a professional like Jessie talk you through your personal MBTI profile goes far beyond a traditional online test. As someone who has read a few books about Myers-Briggs, I thought I had a really good handle on my type and how I interact with others. I was so pleasantly surprised at the nuance and greater understanding I got from Jessie. I definitely recommend it.”
– Al