Renovaré: Where it all started
In 1978, Richard J. Foster first published a book called Celebration of Discipline, which led to a widespread ministry of speaking and teaching on spiritual formation. This led to the foundation of Renovaré in November 1988. He has since authored over 60 articles and six books, including Streams of Living Water, Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home and Celebration of Discipline, hailed by many as the best modern book on Christian spirituality. Richard lives in Denver, Colorado and continues to write on the spiritual life.
Another significant contributor is Dr. Dallas Willard. As well as Professor of Philosophy at The University of Southern California, Dallas was an ordained minister who spoke at churches and Christian organizations worldwide. Along with Richard J. Foster, Dallas was a founding member of Renovaré. He wrote, among others, The Divine Conspiracy, Renovation of the Heart, Hearing God and Life Without Lack. Dallas is survived by his wife Jane, son John, daughter and son-in-law Becky and Bill Heatley, and granddaughter Larissa, who continue his legacy and work.
Through conferences, retreats, publications, podcasts, books and spiritual formation groups, Renovaré in the US, Korea, South Africa, Canada and the UK, continue to teach, model and advocate for a deeper life with God, kingdom living and becoming more like Christ. Since Renovaré US was founded in 1988, local expressions of Renovaré have sprung up around the world. Renovaré (Britain and Ireland) was established in 2001.
The Renovaré team in Britain and Ireland includes:
Rob Hare (Chair)
Rob is Operations Lead, Bible Academy (Bible Society) and the creator of Bible Society's Lyfe resources. He is a graduate of Westminster Theological Centre and the Renovaré Institute for Spiritual Formation (Denver, Colorado Cohort).
Andy Malcolm
Andy is the Adviser for work with Young People at Salisbury Diocese. He is committed to seeing spiritual formation take root in the lives of young people.
James Catford
James is Chair of Renovaré (US) the UK publisher SPCK. He is the former Chief Executive of Bible Society (BFBS) and now a leadership consultant and coach.
Alan Abernethy
Bishop Alan Abernethy retired as Church of Ireland bishop of Connor in Dec 2019. He is passionate about discipleship, spirituality and mission.
Gordon Cotterill
Gordon is a Salvation Army Officer at a church in Sutton. He is also a former Spiritual Programme Director at William Booth College.
Alison Thomas Steer
Alison is a graduate of the Renovaré Institute for Spiritual Formation (Boston Cohort). She currently works for the NHS.
Roy Searle
Roy is a founder of the Northumbria Community. He is a Free Church Tutor at Cranmer Hall, St John’s College Durham and Associate Tutor at Spurgeon’s College London. Roy is a former President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and a Baptist Union Pioneer Ambassador and Advocate.