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About Rev. Rafe Ellis

Rev. Rafe Ellis is an Ordained Minister of Centers for Spiritual Living (CSL). Rev. Rafe has 63 years of lived intersectionality having been born as a female to male (FTM) transgender person, coming full circle undergoing his gender alignment process at the age of 43. He now lives his accurate and authentic self as an open and out FTM transgender man.

He holds a B.A. in Social Work and Psychology from Warren Wilson College, an MBA-OD from American InterContinental University, an MA in Consciousness Studies from Holmes Institute and a Certificate of Ministerial Education from Centers for Spiritual Living School of Spiritual Leadership. His ministry is enhanced by his secular professional experiences as a Social Worker, Fire Fighter, Emergency Medical Technician, Deputy Sheriff, business owner and lapidary artist; and informed by his 40 years of recovery from heroin addiction and alcoholism.

Rev. Rafe is a life-long spiritually motivated social activists having served as a security lead for Rhythm Fest, Southern Womyn’s Music and Comedy Festival, 1993 March on Washington for LGBTQ Rights and on the PFLAG Speakers Bureau in numerous states. Locally he is a member of Interfaith Nevada County and has recently spoken at several Black Lives Matter events, as well as facilitating a Memorial Service honoring the lives of Nevada County residents lost to COVID.

Rev. Rafe has been an active member of Centers for Spiritual Living since 2003. He served as a Licensed Practitioner since 2008 serving CSL Centers in Santa Rosa, CA, West Sacramento, CA, and Vallejo, CA. As a CSL Minister he has served as the Senior Minister at Mountainside CSL – Placerville, CA. and currently at Sierra CSL – Grass Valley, CA.

Rev. Rafe is one the most compassionate people you’ll ever meet. His life experiences have been broad and often dramatic having navigated abject poverty, multiple forms of abuse, gang violence and addiction. He treasures every messy moment as essential to his authentic Self and the Wholeness of Life. He is an inspirational speaker, a gifted counsellor, a master teacher and lifelong social justice activist.

As Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Johnson, the founding minister and president of Inner Light Ministries and an Instructor at the Holmes Institute said:

“Rev. Rafe is one of the most promising ministerial students I have ever had. He is truly someone with a call on his life. His wisdom is profound, his heart an open embrace and his words cut straight to the chase. He is a true ally in the world of healing and transformation in his uncompromising stand for Oneness. I expect great things out of his career.”

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