Welcome to RevCraig.com
About
I describe myself as a “Pastor. Leader. Follower.” A “pastor” since I have been serving in some form or another as a pastor since 1987 when I took my first position as a church youth director at the ripe age of 19 years old. A “leader” because I believe God’s best gifts in me are to vision, inspire and encourage people to take positive Christ-centered action in their lives. A “follower” completes the profile for me because Jesus is the only true leader in the life of the church. If that is true, then all of us must first be followers of the Lord before we can become anything else.
"I accepted Christ into my life at age 13 and accepted my call to ministry at age 17."
I have served small, medium and large churches as a pastor across Southern California. The work in each church has been unique as the people in each of those churches has been unique. My ministry is now serving the churches of the California-Nevada Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church as their Developer. This work includes preparing people, cultivating places, and aligning the resources to start new churches and communities.
I accepted Christ into my life at age 13 and accepted my call to ministry at age 17. My education has been life-long and includes a B.A. from Biola University in Biblical Studies and Theology, a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary and am currently completing my Doctor of Ministry at Boston University. I am honored to serve as the Chairperson of the Advisory Board for Seattle Pacific Seminary and as member of the Board of Trustees for Claremont School of Theology. I was ordained a Deacon in the United Methodist Church in 1993 and then as an Elder in 1996.
My wife Bettina and I have been married since 1994 and we have two wonderful adult children in David and Rachel. A life-long Lakers fan, I try and find any way possible to enjoy a game. I am a new fan of the Sacramento Kings as my hometown crew…unless they are playing the Purple and Gold. In the off-season I am a tepid Dodgers fan. Travel and golf (hopefully at the same time) are my favorite activities besides cooking.