Spiritual formation forms the bedrock practices that Christians use to transform our hearts, minds and actions on the journey of life. We fill ourselves with these practices so that when the day of trouble comes, what comes out of us is what has been put into us. The formation team is committed to seeing students excel academically, but more importantly they desire to see a maturing of spiritual growth and formation.
Tracey Farrell graduated with her M.Div. from Asbury Seminary in 1997 and with her Masters in Counseling in 1998. Tracey has served alongside her husband in the local church for twenty five years. Together they have served four churches.
Rev. J. Matthew Barnes, Ph.D serves as the Vice President of Formation at Asbury Theological Seminary. He is a pastor and biblical scholar with experience in the local church, Christian higher education, and the urban mission field. With a passion for leading change and heart for missional engagement, he brings experience and expertise in leadership development, community development, and spiritual formation.
Greg’s professional background includes experience as a school-based behavior consultant, a mental health care administrator, and a church minister. He has served in various pastoral and lay ministry capacities in the local church. This includes twenty-three years of music ministry experience as a vocalist, pianist, and organist. This also includes several years of pastoral experience, working primarily with youth and young adults at West Memphis First Assembly of God. Greg moved to Wilmore in the Fall of 2021. Prior to transitioning to Asbury Global Formation, he worked in the Chapel Office for a year as the Music Intern.
Greg is a graduate of Asbury’s doctor of ministry degree. His dissertation explored the effects of participating in group spiritual direction on participants’ attachment to God and attachment to their faith community. These are areas that he plans to explore in his role at Asbury Global Formation.