The Rev. Dr. Blaine Crawford was born and raised in a small farming community in north central Kansas and attended Northwestern College, an undergraduate Christian liberal arts college in Iowa. He attended Denver Seminary in Colorado, where he sought ordination through the Reformed Church of America (RCA). Following graduation, Blaine served as pastor at Lakeview Community Church (RCA) in a suburb of Rochester, New York. In 2015, he accepted a call to serve at Church on the Hill (RCA) in Flushing, Queens.

 

During his tenure at Church on the Hill, Blaine led the church through a season of change, including the retirements of longtime staff members, capital improvement projects totaling $1,000,000, and a dedicated effort to open the church facility to the wider community. The church’s new community-focused ministries included free weekly yoga classes, a concert series, and a community children’s choir. Rev. Crawford also designed and launched a summer preaching internship for female seminarians to develop their pastoral identities and preaching voices, which served as the basis of his doctoral work. In January 2021, Blaine successfully defended his thesis and will graduate with a Doctor of Ministry in May from Western Theological Seminary.

 

Later in 2021, Rev. Crawford will begin the process of transferring his ordination into the PCUSA.

 

Blaine met his wife Brittnee while attending Northwestern College, and in 2011 they married in Colorado. Brittnee is a non-profit fundraiser and has a Master of Public Administration from SUNY Brockport, and most recently served as the Director of Development and Communications at an affordable housing organization in Brooklyn. They have one son, Avery, who is 18 months old, and one dog, Reggie, who is 9 years old. The Crawfords enjoy many of the cultural offerings of New York City, including the Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic, and the many museums. During warmer months, they love to be outdoors—hiking, camping, gardening, and exploring.

 

They are very excited to move to Irvington, to participate in the ministry of IPC, and to get to know all of you. Avery looks forward to starting school at Good Shepherd Early Childhood Center this fall and making many new friends.

 

Rev. Crawford’s first Sunday will be March 28, Palm Sunday.