Karissa Fischer

Pastor

Karissa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Seattle Pacific University and a certificate in the Art of Spiritual from Stillpoint. Originally from Yakima, Karissa's journey has taken her to various corners of the country, including Seattle, Ann Arbor, MI, and New York, before returning home to start her family. Professionally, Karissa brings over ten years of experience in the tech industry, where she worked at Google and Airbnb. As a user experience researcher, she was focused on uncovering the underlying needs and motivations of users as the foundation for building effective product solutions. Her entrepreneurial spirit also led her to own a small cafe and retail business in Tieton, WA. 

Karissa’s training in spiritual direction through the Stillpoint program at Ghost Ranch has equipped her in the practice of sacred listening – a way of being present with others on their personal spiritual journeys. While rooted in the Christian tradition, Karissa holds a broad and inclusive perspective, valuing the wisdom found in diverse spiritual streams and extending a warm welcome to all. She is optimistic about the role the church can play in our communities as a refuge for rest in a chaotic world, a nurturing place for spiritual growth, and a catalyst for social change.

Her personal passions include the creativity of interior design, traveling the globe any chance she gets, and getting lost in a good book. Karissa and her husband Alex are parents to two young sons and one fluffy pup. Their family life abounds in both the chaos and the incredible joy of raising tiny humans. It’s from this place that Karissa is passionate about supporting young families in cultivating thriving spiritual lives in our modern and busy world.