About

My name is Nicolas Varner, but most people just call me Nic.

Born and raised in Newfield, NY (just outside Ithaca), I now live and work in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in eastern Tennessee. I have a BA in English with minors in Appalachian Studies and History from Mars Hill University. I have also studied Japanese history, politics, and religion at both Waseda University and Stanford University.

I was raised in an independent Baptist church. I have worshipped and served as a part of Baptist, Methodist, and Episcopal/Anglican ministries in the United States and Japan.

Speaking

First Baptist Church Weaverville
“The World Upside Down” (Sept. 2025)
Weaverville, NC

Mars Hill University
Commencement Invocation (May 2025)
Mars Hill, NC

Broyhill Chapel
“On Calling” (Apr. 2025)
Mars Hill, NC

Bible Baptist Fellowship
“History of Buddhism” (2019)
Alpine, NY