The Reverend Dr. Kendrick D. Weaver also goes by the spiritual name of Lael (pronounced lie-el), which means “for God.”

His purpose was reawakened with the discovery of the Christian monastic tradition. Invigorated by this encounter, he pursued and completed doctoral studies under monastic teachers in the Augustinian, Franciscan, and Carmelite traditions. After those studies, he delved into the Semitic languages including academic training in Biblical Hebrew. 

He studied philosophy at American University and went on to receive his Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School. As a certified gestalt trained coach and meditation instructor, he holds specialized training in subconscious states such as autogenic, heart center hypnotherapy, and medical meditation as well as a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Spirituality from Washington Theological Union. 

Dr. Weaver has designed district and conference wide meditative programs as well as spoke around the country on the Meditate Like Jesus paradigm, which he developed.

He is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and the founder a Christian Contemplative community. He is a linguaphile with a passion for Biblical and Modern Hebrew and Aramaic, and a lover of silence. He is the author of seven books, including the best-selling work, Meditate Like Jesus: Uncover the Meditative Practices of Jesus, and his latest work, Meditative Parables.