Faculty

2025 Academy Faculty

Dr. Amy G. Oden

Dr. Amy G. Oden is a working professor, teaching church history and Christian spirituality for several seminaries. She has served on the faculties of Oklahoma City University, Saint Paul School of Theology and Wesley Theological Seminary where she also served as Dean.  She holds a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Southern Methodist University and a baccalaureate in Letters from University of Oklahoma.

​Born and raised on the prairies of Oklahoma, Amy has found her spiritual home under the wide-open sky. Her passion is to introduce spiritual practices that can ground and nourish lives for justice in the world.

​Amy teaches theology, history of Christianity and spiritual formation, walking with students in learning. She has won teaching awards and is in demand as a speaker.

​Amy is a spiritual director, companioning people as they listen for God in day-to-day life.

​She has published 4 books that all focus on bringing voices of ancient wisdom to inform and illuminate contemporary life.

 

Ray Buckley

 

Ray Buckley is the Center for First Nations Spirituality Director and longtime faculty member of The Academy for Spiritual Formation. Ray has served the United Methodist Church as a United Methodist Publishing House staff member, Director of the Native People Communication Office, and Director of Connectional Ministries and Native Discipleship for the Alaska Missionary Conference. Ray is the author of multiple books and resources for all ages. His stories, poetry, and art have appeared worldwide in numerous journals, periodicals, and books. Ray and his brother, Rick, make their home in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley of Alaska.