David

David Ruybalid is a pastor, dedicated advocate, and speaker focusing on religious trauma within the church. Through written works, in-person speaking, and frequent appearances on podcasts, he addresses the profound impact of these issues on individuals. His expertise extends to guiding victims toward healing, emphasizing resilience and recovery from the adverse effects of religious trauma and abusive experiences in religious settings.

David has been a driving force in the music industry in many different ways. He has performed, produced, mentored artists, and coached performing groups of various genres and contexts.

Although David was raised in the church, in his early twenties, he found himself willing to walk away from the Christian faith of his upbringing. As he began studying theology, he realized that his struggle was rooted in both intellectual challenges and religious trauma. His journey has since been one of healing—a holistic process of letting go of certainty and embracing compassionate curiosity for both himself and others.

David's aim is to create safe environments for individuals who are wrestling with their faith. Many who are drawn to his work are people who grew up in Christianity but never felt safe enough to ask tough questions. They seek conversations that their community may be unwilling to have, often feeling isolated in their journey. They fear opening up about their critiques, comments, questions, and complaints about Christianity, dreading potential ostracization. Many have experienced a certain level of religious trauma and consequently lack a sense of safety within the Christian community in which they were raised.

Currently residing in Arizona with his family, David has had articles published by Amity Coalition, Altarwork, and writes for https://davidruybalid.substack.com Additionally, he co-hosts the podcast 'The Evolution of Faith' with Zach Zienka (ZachZienka.com). David is frequently featured as a guest on other podcasts, discussing topics such as religious trauma, theology, and various aspects of faith and culture. He is also a member of 'The College Theology Society.' Alongside his diverse interests, David has been a sought-after music producer, ordained as a pastor in 2017, and is a certified trauma-informed coach.