Florida pastor Ronald W. Crawford, a former Virginia pastor who was president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, was named president-elect of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond by the school's board of trustees March 19.
Crawford currently serves as pastor of College Park Baptist Church in Orlando, Fla., and will assume the office of president on July 1. The unanimous vote was taken at the seminary trustee board's spring meeting.
“Dr. Crawford possesses gifts as a pastoral leader and administrative leader,” said Susan Rucker of Midlothian, chair of the trustee board. “He is passionate about the mission of BTSR and is committed to furthering the work and growth of our seminary.
Jim White
Crawford speaks to faculty and guests at a “meet and greet” organized by the search committee.
“Throughout his service to BTSR, Ron has been instrumental in working on behalf of BTSR with our partners, the Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship,” continued Rucker. “We are confident that he will continue the good work of our retiring founding president Dr. Thomas H. Graves.”
The chair of the presidential search committee, Sarah Herring of Greenville, S.C., echoed Rucker's enthusiasm. “The search committee was impressed with Dr. Crawford's experience and credentials,” she said. “He brings more than 33 years of leadership experience in many capacities, including pastoral ministry, financial health, world-wide and local missions, and community development.”
“BTSR has a wonderful heritage and a bright future,” said Crawford, “I look forward to working with the BTSR family as we move forward and build on the institution's strengths. Together, we can do much for the Kingdom,” said Crawford.
A native Virginian, Crawford, 55, is serving his third term as a trustee of BTSR. He first served as a trustee from 1991 to 1996.
Crawford played a key role in organizing Richmond area pastors in the
discussion of the possibility of beginning a seminary in Richmond.
“Ron is dedicated to empowering leaders and to bringing people of diverse views together,” said Michael Harton, BTSR's interim dean of faculty. “He will continue to be an asset to congregational life and in equipping leaders to serve in various ministries world-wide.”
A graduate of North Carolina State University, Crawford earned a master of divinity degree in 1977 and a doctor of ministry degree in 1985 from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. In 1993, he earned a master of public administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Crawford has served as pastor for 33 years, including three congregations in Virginia: Montrose Baptist and Lakeside Baptist churches in Richmond and Vandola Baptist Church in Danville. He has also served two congregations in North Carolina: Edgemont Baptist Church in Rocky Mount and First Baptist Church in Asheville.
In 2000, he began his current pastorate at College Park Baptist.
While in Virginia, Crawford served as president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia and as president of the Virginia Baptist General Board from 1993 to 1994. He is currently serving on the Coordinating Council of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
Crawford is married to Cyndia (Cyndi) Ray Crawford. They have two adult sons, Benjamin of Hickory, N.C., and Jacob of Charlotte, N.C. The family also considers April Robinson of Birmingham, Ala., a pseudo-daughter.
Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond has about 340 students. It was founded when the Alliance of Baptists—voted to establish a theological seminary in Richmond as an alternative to growing theological conservatism in Southern Baptist seminaries. Graves, a former professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, was elected the school's first president in 1991.