James and Ellie Covey

PNG Visit January 2026

James and Ellie serve with SIL based in the EurAsia region. They will be in Ukarumpa to provide care January 19-30. Feel free to reach out and invite them to dinner (no food allergies) or say hi on Sunday at church (James_covey@sil.org or ellie@i55seed.com).

Check out James’ bio Page and some of the serviecs he offers are.

Administrative consultation (related to personnel, team, crisis, trauma, risk assessment, mental health issues amongst staff)
Individual Counseling for adults, families and children
Marriage Counseling
Team intervention, team building and coaching
Coaching (help on being stuck related to a specific issue)
Crisis Debriefings
End of Term or Transition Debriefings

To meet with James January 19-29 use the link below for the confdiential google calendaring system.

Seminars

Spiritual Resilience: Thursday January 22 – From 7-8:30 at the Youth Ministries Building. We will take a Spiritual Resilience assessment and then dive into some of the key components that help people be spiritually resileint. One are is on theology of suffering and volumes have been written about the topic, and Scripture is filled with examples of those who endured hardship. Yet life on the field often challenges what we thought we knew about God and suffering. This seminar invites participants to explore their theology of suffering and consider how a mature, biblically grounded understanding strengthens resilience in ministry and life.
Compassion Fatigue: Friday 23 – From 8:30am-10 at the Youth Ministries Building. How can I maintain a healthy life and self-care when the needs around me are so great? This presentation helps teams understand and interpret the PROQOL instrument, which measures compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction. This presentaiton is for the clinic staff.
Stress and Anxiety in Difficult Environments: January 26 at the Youth Ministries Building. Robert Sapolsky writes, “A stressor is anything from the outside world that knocks you out of homeostatic balance.” This session examines the impact of stress and anxiety on the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. Participants explore what stress and anxiety truly are, develop their own stress profiles, and practice coping strategies together to foster greater resilience.
Trauma-Informed Staff Care: This session applies trauma-informed principles to staff care in cross-cultural organizations. Participants learn how to create environments and interactions that are sensitive to trauma while promoting safety, trust, and growth among team members.

Counseling Session Sign-Up

I Joined SIL in 2018 after living and serving in Kenya for 4 years. During those years in Kenya, I was serving and ministering to Third-Culture Kids and met my husband, James! In 2018 I joined SIL and found a home and role in i55 and Eurasia. Since joining Eurasia we have lived in North Africa and now are based in Malaga, Spain.

Throughout my life, the Lord has continued to reinforce my wiring for discovery, exploration and a passion for “the journey”. A longing for intimacy with the Lord has shaped and guided much of the journey in my life. In 2020 I began a certificate program to become a Spiritual Director through the Deepen program. Having finished the program in 2022, I now have the privilege of walking alongside cross-cultural workers in their own journeys with the Lord by offering Spiritual Direction through SentWell. By creating space for connection, curiosity and honesty, I encourage folks to notice the invitations of the Lord in their daily life. In my offerings I enjoy holding space for: discernment, enriching your relationship with your Heavenly Father, and attuning to the loving voice of Jesus. It is an honor to hold space, and take courage with my directees, as we engage the presence of God in our midst.

I offer the following ways of serving you and you can ready more about each one here.

Spiritual Direction
Spiritual Vitality Consult
Small Group prayer and reflections
Personal Retreat Planning/Debriefing
Prayer retreat stations