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JESUS’ PEACEFUL PACE WAS STARTLING.

Even in the midst of crowds, Jesus never appears crowded. We never find him rushing or stressing or pushing. And yet, 2000 years later, we as his followers often find ourselves strained, exhausted, and empty. “The times are different,” we sigh. True. But the ingredients for peace remain the same.

The7thYear

The7thYear is like having a personal fitness trainer for your soul! Beginning in 2024, there are two versions to choose from!

The Original at $377/month includes:

  • One monthly, custom and confidential mentoring session via Zoom with Alicia.
  • A cohort of 10-15 like-minded leaders.
  • A monthly, real-time interactive group teaching via Zoom.
  • Five resources: The Sacred Slow, Anonymous: Jesus’ Hidden Years and Yours book +bible estudy, Until the Whole World Knows, and The Night is Normal: A Guide Through Spirit Pain. 
  • A carefully selected reading list to deepen your journey.
  • Weekly readings and soul-strengthening exercises.
  • Weekly interaction with your cohort of leaders.
  • Up to two optional Prayer Retreats at Rivendell in Branson, MO.

The Essentials at $125/month includes:

  • A cohort of 25-100 like-minded leaders.
  • A monthly, real-time group teaching with Dr. ABC via video-conferencing.
  • Five resources: The Sacred Slow, Anonymous: Jesus’ Hidden Years and Yours book +bible study, Until the Whole World Knows, and The Night is Normal: A Guide Through Spirit Pain. 
  • A carefully selected reading list to deepen your journey.
  • Weekly readings and soul-strengthening exercises.
  • Weekly optional interaction with your cohort of leaders.
  • A Prayer Retreat Guide including Alicia’s four-hour teaching series, resources to lead you through your time, and an ebook called Ready, Set, Rest: A Guide to Prayer Retreating. 

Board Members

Erik Barr, President

Erik is a Jesus-style servant, a truth-seeker, and an inspiring example of simple living. He’s run international marathons, enjoys making cars last as long as possible, and shares his time between Texas (where his family resides) and Los Angeles (where his planes reside). Erik is a career commercial pilot. He holds a B.S. Math and German from Tulane University, an M.A. in Linguistics from UT Austin, and is fluent in Spanish and Hungarian.

Sanford Williams, Vice President

Sanford is passionate about faith, family, education, and sports. He has been married to Dr. Anastasia Williams for 31 years and they have three children: Kiara (University of Virginia (UVA) ‘11; UVA Law ‘15); Sanford Johnathan (UVA ‘13; Boston U. M.Med.’15; Wake Forest Medical School ’19); and Nia (UVA ’21).

Sanford graduated from Newark Academy in New Jersey in 1983 and then enrolled at Cornell University at the age of 15, where he earned his Undergraduate Degree in Operations Research & Industrial Engineering and an MBA from the Johnson School of Management. He later attended UVA’s School of Law, and earned a J.D. in 1996. At UVA, he was a member of the Virginia Law Review.

Since 1999, Sanford has worked as an attorney and in various other roles at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Sanford is currently the Director for the FCC’s Office of Communications Business Opportunities.  Sanford has also worked as an attorney for Womble, Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, and taught at Augusta State University in Augusta, Georgia. Sanford is a member of the Virginia Bar and the Georgia Bar.

In 2010, Sanford was blessed to be elected to serve on the Manassas City (Manassas, VA) School Board, and he was re-elected in 2014. In his spare time, he has served as the Assistant Coach for the Osbourn High School Girls Varsity Basketball Team, a Sunday School Teacher, and a youth sports coach for over a dozen years.

Kathy Witte, Board Treasurer

Kathy is the Business and Financial Controller for a large mental health organization in the Twin Cities, where she has worked for the last 26 years. In addition to her occupation as a Financial Controller, Kathy has been a financial advisor to other non-profit organizations and is a resource in her church in helping others learn to budget and get out of debt. Kathy has also served as an Elder and Women’s Ministry Director for her church. She has done extensive mentoring of women, including individual mentoring and small groups, and has also served as the Worship Director and Children’s Ministry Director. 

Kathy’s heart for the poor, widows and orphans has become her passion over the past 10 years as she has volunteered with a non-profit organization in the country of Haiti. God broke Kathy’s heart in a new way as she experienced both desperate poverty beyond belief and an unrelenting joy in people who literally have nothing. 

Kathy was a part of the 2014 Lii Mentoring Encounter where she began friendships with some amazing women and where she grew and was changed through God’s work in her life and Alicia’s thoughtful and prayerful mentoring of her.

Dr. Alicia Britt Chole, Co-Founder, Executive Director, Board Secretary

Alicia is an author, speaker, and mentor who has been facilitating the spiritual growth of leaders and learners for over 30 years. Since 2000, Alicia has published seven books and numerous bible studies including The Sacred Slow, 40 Days of Decrease, and Anonymous: Jesus’ Hidden Years and Yours. Her articles and writings have appeared in YouVersion, GuidepostToday’s Christian WomanSpirit-led Woman, Enrichment Journal, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and a variety of Thomas Nelson’s devotional books. She has been a featured expert blogger on Conversant Life and a voice on Wired Parish of LeadershipBuzz. Alicia has been interviewed by dozens of radio stations and podcasts including KTIS, Premiere Drive UK, The Bob Duktko Show, Thor Tolo, Georgean Rice, Mark Daniels, Moody with Prime Time Chicago, Moody Radio South, Ron Meyers, Jennifer Keitt, and Brian Mason. TV appearances include TBN, DayStar, The Harvest Show, and At Home Live.

In addition to co-founding Leadership Investment Intensives, Inc., Alicia is the founder and CEO of onewholeworld, inc whose mission is to provide substantial resources for the globally minded. Along with her incredible husband (Dr. Barry Chole), Alicia designed a prayer retreat home in Branson, MO (www.restinnrivendell.com) that has been a haven to thousands. Alicia lives with her husband of 28 years and their three children off of a dirt road in the country in a home devoted to writing and reflection. Alicia is an ordained minister and holds a DMin in Leadership and Spiritual Formation from George Fox Evangelical Seminary.

Noemi Chavez, Ambassador

Noemi Chavez was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. She served as a youth pastor in East Los Angeles while completing her bachelor’s degree at Cal State University, Los Angeles. She is married to Joshua Chavez and has two amazing sons, Joshua Anthony and Stephen Aaron. Noemi worked as a middle school and high school teacher for Los Angeles Unified School District for 8 years before planting Revive Church, a multi-site in the greater Los Angeles area. She is a conference speaker and a mentor to leaders. Noemi is also the cofounder of Brave Global, an organization which focuses on bridging a relationship with girls that are on probation and in the foster care system with the local church, as a prevention for human trafficking. Noemi also serves as chair of the board for Exponential Español, and with Biola Church Relations Advisory Board. She is committed to raising leaders and bridging generations to serve the future of the Church and their communities.

Spencer Beach, Ambassador

A master networker and visionary with a quick intellect (and a wonderfully low threshold for fluff), Spencer is the Lead Pastor of Building Church in Alabama. He holds a B.A. in Marketing and Finance from Florida State University and is a Licensed Minister. Additionally, Spencer is a Licensed Life and Health Insurance provider in the state of Louisiana and a member of the Florida State Alumni Association. He lives with his beautiful wife and two daughters.

Joel Marpe, Ambassador

A semi-retired business leader with 25+ years of Supply Chain experience is where Joel blended his technical/engineering education with his inter-personal skills (mostly listening) to lead large teams at Walmart in several Vice President roles. Joel’s commitment to the “high road” or what Jeremiah described in 6:16 as the “….ancient paths, where the good way is…” have been a calling card of his work/life. Joel excelled in developing leaders through his efforts to elevate hiring and recruiting programs, developing formal/robust mentorships, and a strong commitment to personal development of his staff and teams.

Joel has a BS in Industrial Engineering from Roosevelt University in Chicago and is a 6-year Veteran of the US Navy. Joel resides in Northwest Arkansas with his wife and has two grown daughters, and 2 grandchildren.

Shondell Jones, Ambassador

Originally from Charlotte, NC, Dr. Shondell Jones is a physical therapist and co-owner of Kinetic Physical Therapy and Wellness in Greenville, NC and Co-owner of Monday Solutions Group where he mentors other leaders and entrepreneurs and helps them to build their business and their teams. He also serves as the Executive Pastor of Koinonia Christian Center Church in Greenville, NC where the senior pastor is Bishop Rosie S. O’neal. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2000 and Master of Physical Therapy from East Carolina University in 2002. Later he attended A.T Still University to earn his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree. Shondell has a passion for education and developing leaders and their teams and ultimately the organizations they are involved in. He is a proud husband to his beautiful wife Christy Jones and father to his wonderful daughter Christiana Moore-Jones.

Charity Clark, Ambassador

Charity Clark, a wife to Jared, and mother to four amazing littles – Elijah, Harper, Judah and Levi, is a passionate leader in both her professional and personal life. With a BA in Psychology (Regent University), a MA in Counseling (Nashville Bible College), Charity currently serves as an Organizational Change Management Consultant at a global Tech firm.

 

Charity has dedicated the last 12+ years to ministry, growing in Jesus, and calling others to more. Charity has a heart for helping women cultivate a life of deep devotion and is passionate about teaching women how to walk with Jesus.

Charity possesses the ability to sit with people in hard places, while pointing them to Jesus’ unwavering love, creates safe spaces for those around her. She lives believing a good service faithfully rendered is first a service rendered to Him. 

Board Members, Retired

 

Lii has been blessed with brilliant Board Members who have contributed richly over the years.
We recognize the following individuals for their generous service:

Geoffrey Thompson

Geoff is a futurist. He thinks outside of existing boxes and possesses a contagious passion for Jesus and any cause in which he believes.  From breaking an altitude record in a glider at age 19 to winning the Multimedia Producer’s Award in Silicon Valley in 1993 to writing the best-selling business book “E-Business To Go”, Geoff is a pioneer who has been birthing creative ideas in the church and business world continuously for the past 30+ years. Geoff is also a Real Estate Broker and business developer who has launched numerous popular online business platforms including RealEstateExpress.com and LicenseTutor.com.

Geoff’s seasoned wisdom and unabashed disregard for political correctness have made him a favorite with the media. In addition to appearances on CNN, Bloomberg Business, MSN’s Money Central News Hour, and First Business, Geoff is a frequent guest on local TV and Radio from coast-to-coast. Geoff loves living near the ocean in California. Geoff’s credentials include the following: B.S. in Aerospace Engineering (1974) from Arizona State University; a B.Th in Theology (1984) from Life Pacific University (Summa Cum Laude); an M.A. in Marketing (1990) from Webster University; and George Herbert Walker Graduate School of Business, (Summa Cum Laude) C.F.I. Certified Flight Instructor (1974), FAA, C.A.P. Certified Aerobatics Pilot, N.A.U.I. Certified Scuba Diver, Licensed Paraglider Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Multi-Engine Rating, Instrument Rating, C.P.M.S. Certified Property Management Specialist, Licensed Real Estate Broker, MREC, Missouri Real Estate Commission, Licensed Real Estate Instructor TESOL- Bi-lingual English Instructor; Adjunct Professor of Marketing and Communications, Maryville University; University of the Nations, LIFE Bible College

Connie Boltinghouse

A recipient of the prestigious Organizational Excellence Award from the Franklin Covey Institute, Connie Boltinghouse is a speaker, author, church consultant, and corporate missionary serving Christ in the church and the marketplace. For the last 30 years of her career, she has focused on franchising with 20 years specifically in the cosmetology industry.

As the Vice President of Franchise Product Sales and the Vice President of Franchise Services for a Fortune 1000 company, Connie has opened businesses throughout the U.S. and Europe. Connie has been a consultant and conference speaker for both corporations and church leaders in the areas of leadership, mergers, conflict management, high growth opportunity, and needs assessment.

Her real passion is to provide pathways for others to fulfill their potential with their God-given gifts. In living her passion, Connie travels the world teaching leadership, helping people learn to understand each other and how to walk through change. Whether speaking in Moldova, Armenia, E.U., or the U.S. her high energy and creativity comes across in each message and is an inspiration to those who hear her. Connie relishes each opportunity to use her skills to revitalize and train church leadership for the glory of God. Connie is currently the Vice-President of Operations at Sport Clips, Inc. She is the “9 Corporation.” She received a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Bethel University, is an ordained minister, and is a recipient of the Torch Bearer Award from Regis. Her B.A. is from Southeastern College.

Jennifer Keitt

Through the power of media and personal interaction Jennifer Keitt invokes change and improvement in lives through her motivational speaking and teaching ministry. Motivational Speaker, Author, Ordained Minister, and Seminary graduate, Jennifer has the unique ability to challenge individuals on a spiritual level with real-life application in ways they have never experienced before. After any interaction with her you are left feeling as though you can conquer the world! Jennifer teaches you that, “You can!..it first begins with the world around you.”

Jennifer is founder and host of nationally syndicated Today’s Black Woman Radio Show which reaches over a million radio listeners countrywide including Sirius/XM Satellite radio. For nearly two decades Today’s Black Woman Radio Show has dealt with an array of topics including motherhood, relationships, financial success, and self-esteem to name a few. Keitt recently launched a new talk show, The Jennifer Keitt Show, which airs on KISS 104FM Radio Station in Atlanta every Sunday from 6- 8 pm. As Chief Empowerment Officer, she brings her unique “talktainment” to the airwaves to empower, encourage and entertain her listening audience.

Adding to her God-given abilities to encourage and inspire both men and women with her words, Jennifer is a Certified Professional Coach, Human Behavior Consultant, as well as an Ordained and Licensed Minister. Keitt holds a Master Of Arts Degree in Practical Theology with a concentration in Church & Ministry from Regent University and has completed coursework on Pastoral Care for Women from Western Seminary. She has also authored a book entitled “Shake Up Your Life.” Jennifer is also an Lii alumni, having walked with Alicia through a year-long Mentoring Encounter for women in leadership.

Jennifer is driven and motivated to inspire people and she does so with such a Christ-like passion and energy that is unmatched by anyone you have ever heard. Her true passion for maturing the people of God is evident in every thoughtful word she speaks. She is real and relevant and stirs up the power and spiritual gifts that God has given us all to benefit His kingdom. Jennifer finds joy in inspiring children of God to maximize their potential in Him. She will challenge the mind, help you overcome your fear and push you to fulfill God’s purpose within you – in a style that is uniquely her own – a style that is purely Jennifer Keitt. She will astonish and amaze you the minute she begins to speak. You will not be the same man or woman that you were before you encounter this woman of God, Jennifer Keitt. God is at the center of everything Jennifer does. She often says what motivates her to do what she does is being excited about the day she will hear the words “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.” Jennifer is a devoted wife of over 28 years to Tony Keitt and proud mother of four children.

Charity Reeb

For more than a decade, Charity traveled the globe as a brand and marketing consultant, working with missionaries and humanitarians devoted to changing lives and impacting people in need. She was a champion for all things missions and all things good and loved every minute of it. Then one day, she and her husband fell in love with two little boys from Ethiopia who became their sons. Suddenly, she was juggling a family of four, still running through airports in pursuit of international do-goodery.

Today, Charity is a speaker, writer, and coach dedicated to helping others focus on what matters and fulfill their highest purpose. She’s on a mission to create meaningful tools that equip others to put your faith into real-life action. www.charityreeb.com

History of LII

9

2010

Lii took its first steps in 2010 with the launch of a 3-night spiritual formation intensive for women in leadership called Rest & Renewal at the Chole’s newly opened prayer retreat home, Rest Inn Rivendell. At the time, Barry was serving full-time as a world missionary utilizing his doctoral focus as a consultant on third-culture transitions. Together, Barry and Alicia dreamed of a day “after Barry retired” when they could mentor side-by-side once again as they did in their early years of ministry. In the meantime, Alicia began to dream with her team about how to offer mentoring to women not in proximity.
9

2011

In 2011, via the inspiring suggestion of Stephanie Smith, Alicia’s friend and then executive assistant, Lii offered its first 12-month Mentoring Encounter to a brave group of fifteen women in leadership. By the third month, all involved realized with that the Mentoring Encounters were God-blessed. In September of 2011, through the gracious guidance of an incredible Board (Thank you Jay Clark, Geoffrey Thompson, Spencer Beach, Erik Barr, and Christle Johnson!), Lii incorporated as a non-profit ministry devoted to providing “spiritual direction for leaders and learners.”
9

2012

God gifted the Choles with the unexpected in 2012. After a Daniel Fast and multiple prayer retreats, God confirmed in Barry’s heart that the time for transition to full-time mentoring was now. Barry emerged from prayer sensing that God was saying, “It is time!  And, son, I’ve got this.”  In confirmation, a praying friend saw a valley of dry bones of men in leadership and in her heart felt that God said, “I am calling Barry to stand in that valley and speak life to these men.” All who know Barry say “yes and amen.” As Alicia said in the dedication of Anonymous:  Jesus’ Hidden Years and Yours:

To my beloved husband, wisest friend, and dearest mentor:  A man who in faith treasures the unseen potential of every hidden soul.  In the spirit of Barnabas, you invest in others richly then with joy step back to watch them shine.

Barry completed his term with World Missions and then transitioned with their blessing to serve full-time with Lii in December 2012.

9

2013

In January 2013, Lii offered its first 7th Year Mentoring Encounter for men. Then in May of 2013, Lii received 501c3 status! In the Fall of 2013, Jay Clark transitioned out of the board to focus upon his growing business and family, and Sanford Williams (a lawyer in D.C.) and Connie Boltinghouse (Texas businesswoman and minister) joined the board.
9

2014

In 2014, Lii expanded to include three affiliate mentors: Life coach and professional writer, Mary Yerkes, Family and Marriage Therapist, Laura Demetrician, and pastor and musician, Stephanie Smith. All three women are alumnus of Alicia’s Mentoring Encounters. In the 7th Mentoring Encounter, they discovered a vehicle in which their professional expertise, life experience, and love to mentor women found life-giving expression. As Laura transitioned out of her role as an affiliate at the end of the year, Lii welcomed a new affiliate mentor, Dr. Kimberly Nash Alexander, speech therapist, minister, and alumni of Alicia’s Mentoring Encounter.

In November 2014, through a generous grant from the Hudson Foundation, Lii held their first Couple’s Retreat the focus of which was “championing your spouse’s First Love”! The retreat was extraordinary and the three couples who participated quickly made plans for a reunion!

As of  December 2014, 118 different women and men had experienced Lii’s 12-month 7th Year Mentoring Encounters and retreats via staff mentors and an additional 15 women had experienced Lii via affiliate mentors.

9

2015

May 2015, Alicia completed her doctorate in Leadership and Spiritual Formation from George Fox Evangelical Seminary and Barry completed his certification as a spiritual director from Sustainable Faith’s school of spiritual direction!

June 2015, long-time partner and colleague, Christie Browne, transitioned from her role as an outstanding Lii facilitator. Lii cannot over estimate her contribution to this ministry and she will be dearly missed.

Other summer transitions include the departure of our beloved Christle Johnson as Board Secretary and the warm welcome of Jennifer Keitt as Ambassador and Kathy Witte as Secretary.

Through the generosity of Lii donors, Lii was able to more than double its scholarship awards for Mentoring Encounter applicants!

9

2016

In 2016, Lii launched Online Courses and Webinars, personal spiritual direction options, and Staff soul care alongside an incredible team:

  • Sara Escamilla, Lii facilitator.
  • Stephanie Smith, Messaging and Dream Catalyst
  • Angie Britt, Bookkeeper
  • Diane Marpe, Alumni Care
  • Lori Ritchey, Intercessory Prayer

And an DREAM Board..

  •  Sanford Williams, President
  • Connie Boltinghouse, Vice President
  • Spencer Beach, Treasurer
  • Kathy Witte, Secretary
  • Jennifer Keitt, Ambassador
  • Geoffrey Thompson, Ambassador
  • Erik Barr, Ambassador
9

2017

In 2017:

  • Susan Sohn joined the team to spread the word about Lii’s offerings.
  • Alicia’s personal website was redone to help others find mentoring opportunities more readily.
  • Board Members Connie Boltinghouse and Geoffrey Thompson transitioned to the role of Director Emeritus.
  • Author and entrepreneur, Charity Reeb joined the Board.
  • Alicia devoted the year to offering only private (as opposed to group) spiritual mentoring to leaders in Vietnam, India, Australia, and the USA.

Now in its 7th Year, Lii seems to have found its niche in providing substantial soul care to leaders.

9

2018

In 2018:

  • TBN partnered with Alicia to produce and release a 12-episode video series of her spiritual growth book, The Sacred Slow.
  • Board Member Charity Reeb assumed the role of Vice-President
  • Alumni donated over $10,000 in scholarships for the7thyear participants.
9

2019

In 2019:

  • The Men’s the7thyear had one of the most fruitful years on record under Barry’s guidance. 
  • Through the generosity of  Lii alumni, Alicia was able to take a 6-month sabbatical from mentoring, her first break from mentoring in over 30 years.
9

2020

In 2020:

  • The7thYear Individual-Track expanded to include the option of participating in the Group-Track’s semi-annual prayer retreats and online community. 
  • Alumni Carly Thomas from Australia joined the Lii team as the lead admin for the7thyear offerings. 
  • Through the COVID crisis, Lii’s the7thyear participants have expressed their shared sense that this journey helped prepare them for a different pace in life and a different space in history.