Dr. Gene Maynard earned his theology and spiritual formation doctorate at Princeton Theological Seminary. He is the director of a doctoral degree program in spiritual formation and leadership at Epic Bible College and Graduate School in Sacramento, CA. The pastor of Upper Room Community Church in Auburn, CA, for eighteen years, the church has become, under his leadership, a formational community. He is the founding CEO of The Compass Center. This non-profit spiritual formation center offers resources, experiences, and community for people and churches seeking a deeper life with Jesus. He writes “Compass: A Spiritual Formation Newsletter” found on Substacks and hosts a spiritual formation podcast called “The Trailhead.”