Reverend Dr. A. Elaine Crawford
A. Elaine Crawford was born and reared in Indianapolis, Indiana by her parents, Clarence and Margaret J. Brown. She professed a belief in Jesus Christ and was baptized at the age of 12. She was educated in the Indianapolis public school system. Dr. Crawford has a rich and varied background within the field of theology that encompasses the areas of administration, teaching, preaching, lecturing, writing, and ministry.
Dr. Crawford’s experience in the educational arena has been numerous. She has served as an Adjunct Professor of Theology at Samuel Dewitt Procter School of Theology. Dr. Crawford served as a Visiting Scholar for the Center for Christian Women in Richmond, Virginia. She has been employed by Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia as both Adjunct Professor of Religion and as Assistant Professor of Religion. She served as the Coordinator of the Womanist Scholars Program for the Office of Black Women in Church and Society at the Interdenominational Theological Center. In addition to her parish responsibilities, Dr. Crawford currently teaches at the ITC in the area of theology, ethics and Christian Education. She was a part of an ITC faculty cluster that developed curriculum for HBCU’s that addresses issues of environmental racism. Additionally, Dr Crawford has taught in the Course of Study Program at Candler Theological Seminary. Dr. Crawford is an ordained Elder in Full connection. She served as Associate Pastor at Ousley UMC for one year and as the Associate Pastor at Ben Hill United Methodist Church for seven years. Dr Crawford was appointed as Sr. Pastor of Cumberland UMC as of June 15, 2007. Cumberland United Methodist Church is a “Caring congregation making God’s love known through worship, study, and service”.
Dr. Crawford has preached extensively both nationally and internationally. She was a keynote preacher for the renowned Sandy F. Ray Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, and preacher for the Ellison Convocation, Samuel Dewitt Procter School of Theology.
Dr. Crawford has extensive list of publications including devotional commentaries, books, articles, and book reviews. Her publications include “Identity Check: Job’s Daughters” and “Those Preaching Women: Phillip’s Daughters” which were published in the Women of Color and Aspire Study Bibles. Her book, Hope in the Holler, was published by Westminster John Knox and has been well received in the academy and the church.
Dr. Crawford has completed several degrees - notably the Dr. Crawford worked in the private sector as a registered nurse and holds a Degree in Nursing from Indiana University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona; the Master of Divinity from the Samuel Dewitt Procter School of Theology where she graduated summa cum laude (Valedictorian). Dr Crawford is the first African American woman to earn, a Doctor of Philosophy in Historical and Theological Studies from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond Virginia. Her awards and honors are numerous and include the Howard James Theological Award and the Funds for Theological Education Benjamin E. Mays Scholars Fellowship.
Dr. Crawford is a member of several boards and committees. She has served on the selection committee for the Funds for Theological Education Minority Doctoral Fellowship, and is a member of American Academy of Religion/Society of Biblical Literature. Dr. Crawford is the mother of 3 saved adults, grandmother of 10 blessed children and presently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
Her personal testimony is “To God be the glory for great things God has done"