Hawai‘i Churches To Host Theologian David Vásquez-Levy

Kōloa Union Church on Kaua‘i will host the Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy, President of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA, on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at 7 p.m. Dr. Vásquez-Levy will present a talk titled “Wisdom-Based Leadership: Preparing a New Generation of Spiritually-Rooted Leaders to Create a World Where All Can Thrive.” Vásquez-Levy will also share information about a new certificate, Theological Education for Leadership, offered on the islands and based on a curriculum specifically designed for students living in Hawai‘i.

Pacific School of Religion is a progressive, multi-denominational seminary and center for social justice that prepares theologically and spiritually rooted leaders to work for the wellbeing of all. A sought after speaker, Vásquez-Levy is a nationally recognized leader in higher education and immigration, leading at the intersection of faith, higher education, and social change. He serves as convener for the Graduate Theological Union Consortial Council, and is co-founder and convener for the Latinx Presidents and Deans of the Association of Theological Schools. He also serves on the board of Church World Service, one of the largest ecumenical development agencies in the world.

Vásquez-Levy regularly contributes a faith perspective to the national conversation on immigration, including speaking at a congressional briefing, participating in two immigration consultations with the Obama White House, and recently engaging in a series of public conversations with various State Attorneys across the country in an effort to reframe our national conversation about immigration. He has consulted on a number of documentaries on immigration, labor, and human rights, and is the author of various publications that explore migration stories in sacred texts and in people’s lives.

Vásquez-Levy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Texas Lutheran University and a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, including studies at Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich, Germany.

The public is invited to attend the presentation in the sanctuary of Kōloa Union Church at 3289 Poʻipū Road in Kōloa. An overflow room with a widescreen television monitor will be available in the fellowship hall if the sanctuary reaches its reduced pandemic seating capacity or attendees prefer to sit in an area where there is extra space. Before attending, please see the church’s website for pandemic guidelines at www.koloaunionchurch.org.

Mahalo to the Rev. Dr. Alan Akana, pastor of Kōloa Union Church, for sharing this news!