Meet the team behind Sacred Ordinary Days: 3 days 'til Academic Planners Launch

Brooke, here. As we get ready to launch the new Sacred Ordinary Days 2020-21 Academic Planners (landing in the shop Monday morning!), Jenn asked me to add our names and faces so you can get to know our team. Each person is a treasure, so I’m delighted to make introductions!

CHELSEA PENNINGTON

Graphic Designer. Artist in Residence. Creator of Beauty.

Chelsea brings simplicity and beauty to everything we create. A talented visual artist, Chelsea’s training merges classical fine art with contemporary graphic design. The Baylor University grad was a graphic designer in Baylor's Marketing & Communications department and ran a wedding design and stationery business on the side before coming to work with us. Chelsea is adept at using graphic design to make visual sense of complex concepts. She loves exploring Waco with her husband and daughter, stories—both visual and written, watching movies, and working her way through an always growing stack of books.

RACHEL YEO BURTT

Business Manager. Keeper of Details. Wildly Overqualified.

Rachel manages the Sacred Ordinary Days inbox, inventory in the shop, and so many other daily details. Rachel holds an MA in Theological Studies from Regent College in Vancouver, Canada and says spiritual formation has been revolutionary in her journey and rooted her through many transitions. Rachel grew up in Singapore (of Crazy Rich Asians fame), which has spoiled her palette with all kinds of delicious food. When not hunting down hole-in-the-walls, Rachel can be found biking, camping, and looking for different ways to be outdoors with her husband and 2 exuberant girls.

ALI CHAPPELL DEHAY

Social Media Manager. Engagement Specialist. Minister.

Ali responds to your comments and DMs on Facebook and Instagram and posts meaningful (and fun) content throughout the week. She’s creative, thoughtful, and seriously funny. Ali holds an MDiv, serves as a youth minister, and is on the Board of Texas Baptist Women in Ministry. She's also an excellent preacher, which Jenn attests to firsthand. Ali was raised in North Carolina and though she misses the East Coast, she and her husband have made a happy home together in Waco. She loves true crime podcasts, Italian food, sharing joy, and walks with her Australian Shepherd.

GRANT KEMPER

Numbers Guy. Project Engineer. Tinkerer.

Grant is our resident aerospace engineer. He’s keeps track of all the money, makes projections, and manages distribution. As the primary left brain of the Sacred Ordinary Days team, he’s the only one of us that speaks spreadsheet fluently. An introvert at heart, Grant’s consistency and steadiness have kept Sacred Ordinary Days and the Kemper family grounded through the stormy winds of growing a business and a family at the same time. Grant loves the family pup, Cora, (his constant companion) and geeks out about everything from strategic games to all things space.

BROOKE CHERRY REICH

Storyteller. Strategist. Bookworm.

I’m a storyteller, strategist, and asker of all the questions. I’m comfortable leading, but mostly from behind the scenes, which is why I love being Jenn’s right-hand-woman. My specialty is uncovering and telling the stories of God at work in our everyday lives. As a native Texan and Baylor grad, I will always consider Waco, TX my home. When I’m not telling stories, I’m consuming them through movies, tv, or stacks (and stacks!) of books. I also spend a lot of time following my bird-watching husband and daughter through the woods of northeastern North Carolina, where we’ve lived since 2011.

JENN GILES KEMPER

Entrepreneur. Contemplative. Lover of Liturgy + Practice.

I saved our fearless founder for last. Jenn has been my dear friend for over a decade now and words can’t begin to do her justice. Luckily her heart and her work speak for themselves.

Jenn is the founder and the heart behind Sacred Ordinary Days, which exists to help people grow in Christ-likeness—and help the church come together—through holistic Christian spiritual formation. Jenn’s background in ministry and spiritual direction, her love of connecting people, and her desire for beautiful, useful, theologically robust resources for spiritual formation drive everything she does. Jenn is a gifted leader, teacher, and speaker, and her vision inspires us and propels us forward. She relishes a challenge, values learning, and loves being at a growth edge—and challenging us to join her there. Jenn is a lover of color, hospitality, sunshine, shared meals, and shared life. She’s also a wonderful mother to her 3 sons.

Jenn had been operated Sacred Ordinary Days almost single-handedly for several years, while dreaming of a team that would join her in the work. Suddenly, her vision came to life. We are all stunned at God’s goodness in bringing us together and grateful to join in Jenn’s vision of helping people grow in Christ-likeness—and helping the church come together—through holistic Christian spiritual formation. It’s an honor to serve you and we each view it as a ministry and a calling.

We can't wait to get our new planners in your hands next week! They’re just what we've needed lately—spacious, inviting, transformational tools that help us grow into our truest, fullest selves. We know you're going to love them, too.

Alongside you,

Brooke + the Sacred Ordinary Days Team