Wonder Aloud accompanies people in their journeys toward spiritual wholeness through sacred curiosity, care, and contemplative prayer.

Our Mission:

We want to see a world that invites more of God’s wonder

Our Vision:

Our Values

Discovery

Committing to the ongoing journey of discovering who God is and who we are

Hospitality

Embodying God’s heart of hospitality through unhurried welcome, acceptance, and engagement

Presence

Inviting all into generous and compassionate attentiveness to others, to self, and to God

Celebration

Delighting in beauty, creation, and play, reminding us of the goodness of God

Why Wonder?

At the heart of our mission is a profound belief that wonder—a compassionate curiosity and awe—is an essential aspect of our faith journey, inspired by Jesus’ own relationships and interactions. We hope to create spaces that make room for God’s wonder to show up in our everyday lives. Join us in welcoming, commending, and even appreciating (see “allowed”) wonder together.

Our Ministry Philosophy

  • We believe that each person is made in the image of God, as beautifully described in Genesis 1:26-27. This compels us to create safe, inclusive spaces that honor the whole person, inviting them to listen deeply to God’s voice while holding and learning from one another’s stories. We welcome all genders, denominations, and group sizes, trusting that God’s vision of the divine image within each of us continues to be restored and made whole.

  • We ‘endeavor’ to deepen connection with God and with each other by prioritizing shared leadership and co-facilitation in our offerings, modeled after the Trinity.

Trusting in God’s Transformational Work

Journeying alongside others in faith is a sacred privilege. We humbly hold space, trusting that God’s loving attentiveness speaks uniquely to each heart. Transformation unfolds through God’s grace, and we seek to be faithful companions in each person’s journey closer to God’s heart.

Our Story

Based in NYC, Wonder Aloud is led by a team whose spiritual care offerings have been shaped by over two decades of their lived experience of ministering in diverse urban communities through a myriad of church and parachurch roles.

Wonder Aloud began as WOW! in 2012 in NYC when Rev. Dr. Grace May saw the need to support and empower people through biblical teaching that dares them to soar with God as they are awaken to the truth that God wholeheartedly supports their dreams—dreams God planted in them and calls them to fulfill.

In 2024, WOW! evolved into Wonder Aloud, reflecting both a fresh identity and a deepened focus on contemplative work. While the name change represents a new phase for the organization, we remain a community that is faithful to creating spaces for wonder and spiritual renewal.

Our Team

ERIKA LEE, Executive Director and Spiritual Director

MANNI LEE, Community Care Director and Spiritual Director

With a strong emphasis in collaborative leadership, Erika and Manni share:

  • a passion for contemplative work

  • a desire to create a nurturing and inclusive community where all can discover their identities and deepen their faith,

  • and a commitment to helping others experience God’s presence in creative and meaningful ways.

Qualifications and training:

  • Members of the Spiritual Directors of Color Network (SDC Network) and ESDA 

  • Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the School of Sustainable Faith

  • Certificate in Community Storytelling from The Hearth

  • Mentoring Supervisor Program certificate from Fordham University/Big Brothers Big Sisters

Staff Bios

Erika Lee

Executive Director & Spiritual Director

Erika Lee, Wonder Aloud Executive Director

Erika is the eldest first generation ABC (American Born Chinese) in her family and an Enneatype 9w1. Shortly after succeeding in her self-made plan to finish a B.A. in Economics and Asian Pacific American Studies from NYU early, God instead redirected her to a more unhurried life. For the past two decades, she has followed an unconventional path, learning part of the calling and adventure God invites her into is to bring people places they may not have explored otherwise. Her own life journey has led her to be well acquainted with the disorientation and reorientation that is present in pastoral ministry, the grief of chronic illness, and the painful void left by friends who leave this world too soon.

Her encounter with the unexpected gifts of spiritual companionship and the 19th Annotation of Spiritual Exercises have gently allowed her to find a path forward in honest ways that have made her soul come alive. Erika joined the Wonder Aloud staff in 2020, after receiving support from them during her husband’s seminary years, and is now dedicated to helping others grow in their relationship with God through personalized spiritual care. She hopes sharing this gift of spiritual friendship allows those she accompanies to enter into greater freedom and joy in keeping company with Jesus.

She and her husband, Jeff, enjoy ministering together when opportunities arise and desire to live and love generously as a testimony to God's lavish grace and faithfulness.

Email: erika@wonderaloud.org

Manni Lee

Community Care Director & Spiritual Director

Erika Lee, Wonder Aloud Community Care Director/Spiritual Director

If there’s a thread running through Manni’s life, it’s this: she has always found herself accompanying others on their journeys. Whether supporting family and friends, serving in youth ministry, or walking alongside women in the earlier years of Wonder Aloud when she was director of the the mentoring ministry, to the present accompanying individuals and churches toward spiritual wholeness, Manni believes God has continually placed her in spaces to listen deeply to people’s stories and witness His work in their lives.

As Wonder Aloud’s Community Care and Spiritual Director and a Enneatype 2w3, Manni finds great joy in creating spaces for reflection and connection with God through silent retreats, group spiritual direction, and holding space for personal stories. She loves facilitating spaces that guide others toward greater freedom and all that God created them to be.

Manni is grounded by her close circle of family and friends, including her husband Luke, and their two adult children. In her quiet moments, Manni finds rest tending a community garden or enjoying a good Netflix binge, savoring the ways God meets her in both the ordinary and extraordinary.

Email: manni@wonderaloud.org

Board of Directors

Grace May headshot

  • Rev. Dr. Grace May is the former Executive Director of WOW! and is currently an InterVarsity Graduate and Faculty Ministries Campus Staff Minister serving Faculty in Maryland. She delights in showing how God has raised up women leaders in the Bible and has taught on the biblical and theological foundations of women in ministry at WOW! and in seminaries in Asia, Africa, and America. Ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA), she has pastored at the Oversea Chinese Mission, First Chinese Presbyterian Church, and Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in New York City and the Chinese Christian Church of New England in Brookline, Massachusetts. She has authored “Appreciating How the Apostle Paul Champions Women and Men in Church Leadership” in The Quest for Gender Equity in Leadership and is working on a book on women and biblical leadership. She received her B.A. from Yale University, M.Div from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Th.D from Boston University School of Theology. A bona fide foodie and globetrotter, she enjoys feasting with friends and family whenever and wherever.

Don Choi, Board Member

  • Don has worked in finance in the private equity and hedge fund industry for 16 years. He actively serves his local church in various roles. He believes in and enjoys building church community and has a heart for discipleship. Don enjoys seeing people connect with God in a tangible way through the five senses. In his downtime, he enjoys exploring new places to eat, where great fellowship connections can occur, and he enjoys playing and watching all forms of sports.

  • Janice has dedicated 15 years to the nonprofit and healthcare sectors. Her passion for bridging gaps in healthcare and education, particularly in underserved communities, has fueled her career. Janice is committed to addressing the needs of those that are often overlooked and helping communities receive the support to thrive. In spiritual spaces, Janice has served as a small group leader, Bible study leader, youth mentor, panelist, hospitality member, and event planner. She desires to see individuals encounter God in meaningful and personal ways. Janice enjoys playing badminton, board games, having deep conversations, and eating at delicious restaurants. Janice holds a Master of Public Administration from NYU and a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education from CUNY Hunter College.

Rachelle Verdier, Board Member

  • Rachelle Verdier is a life-long educator and learner. Professionally, her experience includes teaching elementary students in after-school and summer camp, tutoring and advising underrepresented High School students in a college preparatory program, and over twenty years of teaching students and coaching teachers in NYC schools. In spiritual communities, Rachelle has had the privilege of serving as a guest speaker, contributing writer, panelist member, small group leader, women’s ministry director, and deacon. Currently, Rachelle leverages her expertise, intense curiosity, and Haitian-American heritage at New Visions for Public Schools, a laboratory of education innovation. In her role as an Associate Director of Curriculum & Instruction, she has the privilege of coaching educators, creating resources for students, and facilitating professional learning opportunities to positively impact student outcomes in NYC. In addition, Rachelle leads the New Visions BIPOC Educators’ network, a grant-funded initiative focused on creating a supportive and healing learning space tailored to the needs of educators of color. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Science and an M.A. in Secondary Science Education.