About

Meet Rev. Christina Ahlen

Creating a safe and sacred space lies at the heart of Flying Geese Ministries. I believe that in a safe environment, we get permission to express ourselves vulnerably and honestly, allowing our true selves to be heard, seen, and honored – and this is where true connection and healing happen.

Born and raised in Switzerland, I moved to the U.S. in 1996 where I worked, studied, married, and raised two daughters. After earning my MA degree in Specialized Ministry from Iliff School of Theology, I was privileged to serve as a Bereavement Coordinator and Interfaith Chaplain at Compassus Hospice & Palliative Care in Colorado Springs for 12 years, providing grief support and spiritual care. There I had the honor of companioning souls through death and dying, and guiding the bereaved through the grief process. I also came to a deep understanding of the plights of caregivers and families during illness and end of life. My expertise also includes grief support groups, peer and volunteer training, and hosting memorial services.

I am an ordained Minister through the Federation of Christian Ministries (FCM). I have served as a Guest Speaker at Unity Spiritual Center in the Rockies where I have led and co-led workshops, spiritual retreats, and special ceremonies for the past 16 years. I also officiate Unity Sunday Services, Celebrations of Life, and Special Events and Ceremonies, as well as supporting the congregation through pastoral care. 

People describe me as relatable, authentic, knowledgeable, warm and caring. In everything I do, I strive to walk my talk, even if I slip and slide at times, as all humans do. I look back on my own journey of personal growth and healing from trauma and loss and know that receiving support makes a huge difference. Once receptive to help, countless mentors and guides helped me find life-giving perspectives along the way. The saying “Your work is not the purpose of your life; your life’s purpose is your work,” expresses the essence of how I feel about my calling and my wish to be of service, to be an example and to be a voice that elevates and inspires.

  • The longing for belonging led me to the spiritual quest. The suffering I witnessed served as a gateway towards deep meaning-making and spiritual healing. Over the last 30 years, I have found roots in Sufi mysticism and Unity Metaphysics, as well as drawing from lived experience, theological studies, mythology, the arts, wellness practices, nature, ongoing metaphysical studies and world travel.

    Experiences with death and dying have significantly impacted my life. They led me to serve as an Interfaith Chaplain in hospice grief support. The opportunity to serve, to meet and listen to thousands of people from all backgrounds and beliefs, and to hold their tender hearts through this most important transition deeply informs my sense of purpose and the person I have become.

    Along the way, I discovered a "living faith" -- an inner knowing that is grounded in both my humanness and my spirituality. I practice a holistic approach to wellness and incorporate mindfulness, yoga, Qi Gong, nature, journaling, and artistic exploration.

  • I earned a Master of Arts in Specialized Ministry from Iliff School of Theology in 2011, focusing on Pastoral Care, Interreligious Dialogue, Spiritual Direction, and Ritual Studies; and completed three units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) with Centered Life in Colorado Springs. Over the past 19 years, I pursued 120 CE in Spiritual Enrichment and Education classes (SEE) at Unity Worldwide Ministries, enhancing my expertise in Unity Metaphysics. My study of Unity Ontology aligns well with my spiritual quest. 

    I consider myself a nerd who is always curious to learn, to explore deeper connections, and to seek knowledge to better support others and promote positive mental health. In 2023, I became a licensed Grief Educator through Grief.com with Dr. David Kessler. In 2024, I earned a Teacher Certificate in Positive Neuroplasticity with Dr. Rick Hanson, a modality that emphasizes the use of psychological strengths for personal transformation. My first degree was a Master of Science in Architecture from the Federal Institute of Technology ETH in Zurich, Switzerland, where I was a practicing architect for 5 years and lived mostly the life of the mind. Transitioning to a life grounded in spirituality has been an interesting and fulfilling journey.

Christina works in the Pikes Peak area, the ancestral homeland of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Ute nations, among others. Flying Geese Ministries acknowledges the stewardship of native peoples who historically cared for and inhabited this land.