ABOUT
Meet JoAnna
Dr. JoAnna Dias Sanchez is a licensed clinical psychologist in California and Texas, a trained spiritual director, and the founder of Gracious Gift Ministries. She holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University and a Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. Her work integrates clinical expertise with spiritual formation, creating spaces where individuals can experience emotional healing, spiritual growth, and deeper intimacy with Jesus.
JoAnna’s clinical practice focuses on supporting adults through grief, trauma, life transitions, depression, anxiety, self-esteem struggles, and relationship challenges. She emphasizes culturally sensitive, trauma-informed care and integrates relational and insight-oriented
approaches to help clients discover freedom, resilience, and clarity in their lives.
Beyond her clinical work, JoAnna is passionate about spiritual formation and discipleship. She leads individual and group spiritual direction, offers workshops and retreats, and guides transformational pilgrimages to Israel—inviting participants to encounter God’s presence in profound and life-changing ways. Her approach honors each person’s unique journey, helping them cultivate practices that draw the heart, mind, and soul closer to Christ.
JoAnna’s ministry and research interests also include guiding Millennials and young adults in faith formation, as reflected in her chapter contribution to Helping Millennials Thrive: Practical Wisdom for a Generation in Crisis. Her global ministry experience includes clinical work and spiritual guidance across the United States, as well as in Kenya and Israel.
Through Gracious Gift Ministries, JoAnna combines her professional expertise, academic training, and spiritual calling to provide compassionate, holistic care. Whether in therapy, spiritual direction, or guided pilgrimage, her mission is to help individuals experience God’s gracious love, encounter healing, and grow into the fullness of life He offers.
WHAT IS GRACIOUS GIFT MINISTRIES?
Gracious Gift Ministries is a Christian soul care ministry dedicated to helping believers experience the transformative love of Jesus Christ. Inspired by Isaiah 61, our mission is to guide individuals, couples, and families into spaces of healing, restoration, and spiritual growth. We provide a variety of ministry opportunities—including Christian psychotherapy, spiritual direction, workshops, and transformational pilgrimages to Israel—so that every person can encounter God’s presence in a meaningful and life-changing way.
At the heart of our work is the belief that spiritual formation and emotional healing are deeply intertwined. We offer safe, compassionate, and judgment-free spaces where people can explore their faith, process life’s challenges, and cultivate deeper intimacy with Christ. Our ministry emphasizes cultural sensitivity, trauma-informed care, and relational support, ensuring that every person feels seen, heard, and valued.
Gracious Gift Ministries is committed to equipping believers to grow spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. Through one-on-one guidance, group experiences, and educational resources, we help Christ-followers embrace the fullness of God’s grace, discover freedom from burdens, and experience lasting transformation in their hearts and minds.
Founded by Dr. JoAnna Dias Sanchez, a licensed clinical psychologist and trained spiritual director, Gracious Gift Ministries integrates professional expertise, academic training, and spiritual calling. Whether through counseling, spiritual direction, or guided pilgrimage, our ministry invites people to engage with God’s love, cultivate their inner life, and live as oaks of righteousness—bearing fruit that reflects His glory.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Karen Cartmell is an Adjunct Faculty at Talbot Seminary and a spiritual director since 2012. She and her husband Al Cartmell have worked as volunteers with Cru for more than 30 years, focused on serving in Central Asia for 10 years. Karen and Al have 3 married children, 8 grandchildren, and live in California’s Central Valley.
Karen earned a BA in English and French from Northern Illinois University, an MA in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from Talbot Seminary, and a Trauma Certificate from Wheaton College. She loves serving people around the world through teaching and spiritual direction.
Wayne Allen is a seasoned entrepreneurial executive having served in leadership roles over the past decade with multiple early-stage companies. A co-founder of CastNet Ventures, he most recently served as CEO of Insurance Thought Leadership. Prior to ITL, Wayne helped launch, and held operational positions with, various entrepreneurial ventures, all of them involving some application of technology, anticipating future consumer/customer demand and expectation. During his 36-year legal career, Wayne advised entrepreneurs and investors through all aspects of the entrepreneurial process.
From 2015 through 2018, Wayne also established and served as the Director of Entrepreneurship at the Hickingbotham School of Business at Ouachita Baptist University. Wayne earned his J.D. from Baylor Law School in 1984 and his LLM in taxation from the University of San Diego Law School in 1988. His undergraduate degree is in finance and economics from Baylor University.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here is some additional information about our organization. Please contact us if you have additional questions.
What is the purpose of your organization? Gracious Gift Ministries exists to help believers experience the love and presence of Jesus in life-changing ways. Through psychotherapy, spiritual direction, and spiritual formation, we guide people toward healing, growth, and deeper intimacy with Christ.
When was your ministry founded? Founded in 2020, Gracious Gift Ministries exists to guide believers into the fullness of God’s grace. Through worship, spiritual direction, soul care, and transformational pilgrimages, the ministry invites people to encounter Jesus, grow spiritually, and live with renewed hope and purpose.
Are you a registered 501(c)3 organization? Yes! Gracious Gift Ministries has been a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit since June 2022.
Can I make a financial contribution? Absolutely. Your support helps us continue inviting people into God’s presence, healing, and grace. Gracious Gift Ministries relies entirely on generous donations. You can give online here: www.graciousgift.org/donate
Are you affiliated with a denomination or organization? We partner with a variety of Christian communities but are independent, welcoming all believers regardless of denominational background.
Why focus on spiritual formation and soul care? Many of us long for deeper spiritual growth. Our focus is on helping believers connect with God’s living water, cultivating hearts that are “good soil” (Matthew 13:18-23), and learning to follow Jesus with His yoke and burden made light (Matthew 11:28-30).
What do you mean by spiritual formation? Spiritual formation is the intentional shaping of our lives to follow Christ. It’s more than practices or disciplines—it’s opening our hearts and minds to the guidance of the Holy Spirit so we can grow closer to Jesus and reflect His love and character.
What do you mean by soul care? Soul care is the intentional nurturing of your heart, mind, and spirit. Through prayer, community, and Spirit-led guidance, we create spaces for healing, growth, and restoration, helping people live fully and freely in God’s love.
VALUES
Intimacy with Christ: We believe God is active in everyone’s lives and that as we seek Christ with our whole hearts, we will find Him.
Companionship: We aren’t meant to live the spiritual life alone. Whether in a group or one-on-one, we need each other in order to live life by the Holy Spirit.
Freedom: We believe that God made us to be the truest version of ourselves. This includes adventure and exploration as embodied human beings seeking God in the ordinary.
Safety: We seek to provide a judgment-free space for people believing that true freedom and intimacy cannot be found unless people feel safe.
Double Knowledge: We believe that in knowing ourselves, we learn more about God. Therefore, we encourage increased self-awareness, as we seek to draw closer to Jesus.