Hello. My name is René Velarde.

I've been a worship leader, a pastor, a musician, a recording artist, a teacher, a business owner, and a digital marketing consultant. Right now, I'm working towards being a professor, a researcher, and an educator.

Currently, I'm trying to help people think about things differently and lead people through difficult seasons. Sometimes I speak, sometimes I write, but what I offer is my perspective. My mission is to help others think and live differently, ultimately benefitting society by helping the marginalized flourish. I seek to help individuals and communities see themselves, others, God, and the planet in such a way that it cultivates our best affections towards the other.

I received a B.S. in Liberal Studies, a Masters in Intercultural Studies (MAICS), and am currently a third year PhD student at Fuller Seminary. I research US-race relations and holistic wellbeing in the realms of Theological Ethics (think theology + social science + psychology). I'm part of some great communities, including the Hispanic Theological Initiative (HTI) and the Fujimura Fellows. I'm currently based in California--somewhere between San Francisco and LA.