Meet Us

Our Story

“I think you can learn to be brave and to trust. Sometimes it takes a while. Spiritual Soul Center didn’t just happen. I had to stay awake and be open to where life was guiding me to be. Over the last few years I practiced following the direction I was receiving from within and trusting that something bigger than me was happening. I seemed to wander…but now realize that the wandering was part of getting to right where I am now. The Spiritual Soul Center was born by letting go and following the urge to be all I came here to be. It was born because the people I invited to participate and get it off the ground brought an energy to it that would not be stopped. I am dedicated to growing this movement because I know we can make a difference, a real and positive difference…together. Grow, Serve, Transform. Here we go!”
Rev Paula

Rev. Paula Zabkar, Spiritual Leader

Paula is a passionate teacher and inspiring speaker who walks her talk. She believes in using ancient and contemporary wisdom as a guide to living spiritually in present life circumstances. Her highest prayer is to inspire you to live an extraordinary life!

She was previously the Spiritual Leader at Unity Spiritual Life Center in Durham, NC and Interim Spiritual Leader at Unity of Wilmington in Wilmington, NC.

Paula has a Bachelor’s Degree in Metaphysical Science from the University of Metaphysics, is a Licensed Unity Teacher and Life Coach.

My Story

I distinctly remember feeling the first time that Spirit (God) tugged on my heartstrings, calling me home. It was the day I walked to the front of my childhood church to say I wanted to be baptized.  I was so young, I wasn’t fully aware of what I was choosing, only that those steps were the right ones in that moment.  I have taken many steps since then on many paths, but no matter how off course or completely lost they may have seemed in the moment, all of them have led me in the direction of the Beloved and my heart’s home.  Continuing to follow this pull, I found myself at Spiritual Soul Center.  I have known and loved Paula for many years and was touched by what she has created.  Spiritual Soul Center is a safe place of belonging, practicing, and learning.  I have discovered here, a sense of Self, a sense of community, and a sense of peace.  There are so many opportunities for serving our fellow man and for showing up with loving-kindness and compassion for all beings.
Rev Megan

Rev. Megan Rose, Associate

Rev. Dr. Megan “Magpie” Rose, PharmD, B.Msc., RYT200 is a perpetual seeker of Source Love. It took her many years to find and give voice to her own heart song, and she now finds joy in being a vessel to hold space for others to find theirs. She currently shares her word, song, meditation, and asana practice. She has been and is a student of the University of Metaphysics, Yoga for the Planet, Rev. Richard Levy, and L.S.L. Noble.

Board of Directors

Rev Paula Zabkar, Spiritual Leader

I am excited to introduce our board. Spiritual Soul Center is fortunate to have this dedicated group of people to help guide our work and support this community as it grows and evolves into all it can be. I am grateful for their commitment and the unique gifts each brings to this important work.

Rev Megan Rose, Secretary

I am a perpetual seeker of Source Love. It took me many years to find and give voice to my own heart song, and I now find joy in being a vessel to hold space for others to find theirs. I am a student of the University of Metaphysics, Yoga for the Planet, Rev. Richard Levy, and L.S.L. Noble. I am excited to be part of Spiritual Soul Center!

Maggie Roedema, Vice President

In Paula Zabkar, I found a teacher who really speaks to me. It is a great privilege to have an opportunity to support her vision and to work with others to help facilitate this new community and keep it strong. I remind myself all the time how important it is to do this well, to do this work with love and kindness and trust and joy. This is exactly where I want to be and what I want to be doing.

Jessica Baker, Treasurer

At Soul Center, I have found home and my family. I cannot speak enough about the palpable acceptance, love and support of this incredible community. Paula captains this amazing movement and I am honored beyond words to be part of her and SSC’s crew. Dedicating my time, creativity and talents to SSC and its community is one of the biggest blessings of my life.

Dawn Ferrer, President

Paula and the community at SSC have become my new found friends who have helped me more than they realize as I navigate this transition phase of my life. I had been searching for a spiritual community that not only fed my soul but one that fostered my giving nature where I felt heard and needed. Both Paula and the SSC community offer compassion, acceptance and love and I am thrilled and honored to be a board member. My goal is to help SSC continue to move forward and to help spread love and kindness to everyone who walks through the door.

Amy Starr Allen

I’ve been a spiritual ‘seeker’ for over 25 years, and attending Spiritual Soul Center has made and continues to make a huge difference during some very challenging times in my life. I feel very blessed to be a part of the community here and to have found Paula Zabkar and her teachings. I am honored to serve on the board here and to have the opportunity to serve the community and the planet with such an incredible group of heart centered people in a place that feels just like home. I truly want more people to feel this feeling and I’m excited to help get the word out to lots of others who can be filled up by the love we share at SSC.

Musicians

Our musicians are unique, talented and diverse. They provide original music, acoustic accompaniment for meditation and popular tunes to inspire and raise the vibration of our Sunday service. One thing for sure…you will not be disappointed!

Our music coordinator is the talented Anna Mann. She coordinates all the music and guest artists. If you are interested in playing with us on Sunday, please email her at annamann910@gmail.com. Check out our calendar page to see who will be with us in the coming weeks.

Nathan Gerry

Nathan is a singer-songwriter whose music weaves together humor and heart. Inspired by Harry Nilsson, The Beatles, and Dave Matthews, Nathan seeks to capture the breadth of human experience and resiliency through catchy and introspective indie rock.

Jared Michael Cline

Driven by a passion for music and performance, Jared Michael Cline always delivers, and when he does, it usually involves a simple, yet honest, performance. As an active performer, musician, and songwriter in Wilmington, NC, Jared Michael Cline aims to connect with his audiences on a level that digs deep below the surface of each and every person in attendance. Citing his influences as “life, love, and pain”, he has no problem using his pen to address thoughts and feelings that are essentially taboo, or plainly, unspoken.

Perry Smith

Perry Smith is a multi instrumentalist who gravitates toward a world beat sound. Having played music for most of his life he has found that music is the perfect means to communicate clearly and with love.

Soul-R Fusion

Soul-R Fusion’s music is a mix of acoustic rock, soul, blues, jazz, funk, and folk. Clever and heartfelt lyrics, rhythmic guitar, and rustic vocals combined with otherworldly fretless bass lines create unique songs that radiate positive energy and never lose the groove.

Abigail Dowd

Abigail Dowd is a Greensboro-based singer/songwriter/guitarist who grew up under the longleaf pines in the Sandhills region of North Carolina. Known for her storytelling and command of an audience, she has been called “a writer of the highest caliber” (The All Scene Eye). Pulling from her heritage of faith and determination, Abigail weave hints of Celtic melodies with the soulful gospel of the south.

Amy Starr Allen

Amy Starr Allen moved to Carolina Beach 6 years ago, after spending 25 years in the mountains in Colorado. She’s a single mom to 2 teenage daughters and an author, a coach, a mentor, and an online business and marketing strategist. Besides marketing and spending time with friends and family, her passions include music (playing music, writing music and attending live music concerts and festivals), and spending time in nature in the mountains and at the beach. She’s been a spiritual ‘seeker’ for over 25 years, and attending Spiritual Soul Center has been making a huge difference during some very challenging times in her life. She feels very blessed to be a part of the community here.

Rog Davis

Over the past four decades, Roger Davis has provided the Port City with a sensational serving of musical talent. Whether performing for a crowd of weekend brunch-goers, a public gallery event, or the occasional night venue, Roger “Rog” Davis holds his melodic roots in the Wilmington area and remains a well-respected performer/composer within the local jazz community. A founding teaching artist of DREAMS, Rog still loves sharing his gift with new generations of musicians.

Wendy Montague

Wendy performs locally with her singing group Deja Vu. When sharing her music her greatest desire is to bring inspiration and joy.

Youth Ed Teachers and Nursery

Mission Statement

We create a loving and joyful learning environment which reminds children they are innately good and one with God. We encourage loving kindness, compassion and listening to the quiet.


We teach the children at SSC because we love it. The inspiration and words of wisdom that are received from our children are both jaw dropping and teary at times. We have the best job in the world since we get to relay the message that they are wonderful, innately good, one with God/Spirit/Oneness/the Nature of the Universe and a gift to all of us. They already know this of course which means there is no struggle within them when they hear these things. Sometimes we study people who have done beautiful and helpful things in the world, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Peace Pilgrim or Wangari Maathai. Sometimes we study qualities within us that we want to cultivate. The lessons are experiential, honoring oneness and individuality at the same time. We have fun as we learn and share loving time together. More information.

Holly Kenney, Youth Ed Director

Holly absolutely loves teaching children how wonderful they are and that they are deeply loved… a goodness and a Godness. She has been a teacher and life coach for many years. She has 3 grown children and a sweet husband who shares her love for teaching.

Jordi Russo, Nursery Care

Jordi loves working with children and makes it her mission to share love, kindness, and a “joie de vivre” (joy of life) with all she meets. She graduated from UNCW with a bachelors in International Studies and French and her passion for food and people brought her to work at Brent’s Bistro as well. She is an adventurer, hiker, 200 hour yoga teacher and practitioner, and nature lover living with gratitude and wonder.

Meet Our Teams

Service to our community is a big deal. Each of our teams supports the mission of Soul Center in their own unique way. We appreciate all they do and all they are!

Hospitality Team

Meet our Hospitality Team. Beverly, Lori, Terri, Debby and Marci. Our Mission Statement is: We create a warm and joyful space for community and connection by offering food and beverages at Sunday services and other SSC events.


Welcome Team

Meet our Welcome Team. Debby, Wendy, Olivia, Beverly, Johnny, Gloria, Dawn, Sandi, Susan and Denise. Our Mission Statement is: We create community by offering a warm welcome, a kind word and a handshake or a hug to congregants and visitors who attend Sunday Services and other events at Soul Center.