Welcoming Reverend Devon Jerome Crawford: A Visionary Leader Preaching at Third Baptist Church Sunday, October 6, 2024

This coming Sunday, October 6, Third Baptist Church of San Francisco invites you to a special worship service featuring Reverend Devon Jerome Crawford, an esteemed candidate for our Executive Pastor position. Reverend Crawford will deliver the guest sermon during our 10:00 AM service, bringing with him a wealth of experience in both ministry and social justice.

About Reverend Devon Jerome Crawford

Reverend Crawford currently serves as the National Executive Director of the Multifaith Initiative to End Mass Incarceration (EMI), an organization founded by Senator Raphael Warnock and based at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Under Reverend Crawford’s leadership, EMI has united faith communities across the nation to combat mass incarceration through training, advocacy, and direct action.

Beyond his work with EMI, Reverend Crawford is the Campus Minister at Morehouse College’s Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel. There, he guides the next generation of faith leaders, nurturing their growth in both spirituality and social justice.

He was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, baptized at New Pilgrim Baptist Church and later licensed to preach at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church. He was ordained into Christian ministry at Myrtle Baptist Church in West Newton, Massachusetts, where he served as minister for social justice and acting assistant pastor. He is an honors graduate of Morehouse College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, holds a Master of Divinity degree from the University of Chicago Divinity School, and is pursuing a doctoral degree in practical theology and moral leadership at Boston University School ofTheology.

A Legacy of Leadership

Reverend Crawford’s leadership extends beyond the walls of the church. He previously served as the inaugural Staff Director for the William Monroe Trotter Collaborative for Social Justice at Harvard Kennedy School, where he led initiatives focused on voting rights, criminal justice reform, and race-equitable responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. His advocacy for justice has been evident in high-profile cases such as those of Troy Davis, Trayvon Martin, and Michael Brown, garnering national attention for his activism grounded in non-violence.

Reverend Crawford’s early work includes collaborating with the NAACP on a nationwide millennial voter campaign, a partnership with Chance the Rapper. He has also been honored as an Oprah Winfrey Leadership Fellow and a John Lewis Fellow. His writings have appeared in The New York Times and The Washington Post.

Join Us for a Morning of Faith and Fellowship

This Sunday’s service promises to be a powerful time of worship, reflection, and community. We encourage all members and visitors to attend, whether in person or via live stream, to hear Reverend Crawford’s inspiring message. His dedication to ministry and justice, coupled with his deep spiritual insights, will undoubtedly resonate with all who join us.

Deacons Alphonso Campbell and Anthony Wagner, co-chairs of the Executive Pastor Search Committee, extend a warm invitation to the entire congregation: “We are excited for the congregation to hear from Reverend Crawford. His vision for faith-based leadership aligns with our mission at Third Baptist, and we look forward to this opportunity for everyone to meet him.”

Mark Your Calendars for Sunday, October 6, 2024, 10:00 AM

Mark your calendar for Sunday, October 6, 2024, at 10:00 AM, and join us at Third Baptist Church of San Francisco to experience this meaningful service led by Reverend Devon Jerome Crawford. For those unable to attend in person, a live stream will be available on our Third Baptist Church website.

For more information, please contact the Third Baptist Church office at (628) 867-7075 or visit www.thirdbaptist.org.