Student Recipient Spotlight

Cathie M. Crawford
Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary
Class of 2008

Cathie M. Crawford.

As a 2006 recipient of the Presbyterian Study Grant and the Racial Ethnic Supplemental Grant, I will be able to continue my studies at Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary, the Presbyterian constituent seminary at Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The financial challenges of pursuing a theological education for me have been quite enormous. I am a second career student and thus have the expenses of maintaining a household and making nominal contributions to my own educational expenses.

I have a wonderful family that is supporting my efforts. I have been married for thirty-five years and have four adult children. Thank God, my husband and I are empty nesters with children who have all received the benefits of higher education; two have graduate degrees and two have undergraduate degrees.

My story is one of joy and gratitude of how God orchestrated my call to ministry. After working for the federal government for 16 years, my job was eliminated in the closure of the Charleston Naval Ship Yard. Many of my colleagues despaired about the closure, but I was hopeful and anticipated a new beginning. I believe that God is a sovereign God and, therefore, has a plan and purpose for our lives. It became clear to me that this could be the opportunity to discover my true passion and purpose.

I reflected upon things in my life that had brought me joy, as well as allowed me to help others. I had the experience of serving for a total of three years with Americorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), teaching literacy to adult students and children. It was a job that I loved more than any other volunteer opportunity. At the same time, I discerned that there was a calling on my life. God clearly revealed to me that I should become a minister of Word and Sacrament, preaching, teaching, counseling and healing God's people with special needs.

I was in transition from my former government position and my children were approaching adulthood. Consequently, the impact of going to seminary on my family would be minimal. My husband had the choice of coming along with me on my journey or staying behind at home. My mother gave me a few words of wise advice and counsel. She said that Jesus' ministry started at about 30 years of age and at 33 it was finished. I did not feel that there was a comparison with my life and the life of the Son of God, but she was trying to encourage me in my ministry.

Throughout my years of rearing children, working a full-time job, and attending undergraduate school, I participated in the life of the church. My children were baptized and grew up in the St. James Presbyterian Church in Charleston, SC. I served on various committees, such as Personnel, Worship, Liturgical Team and was a former choir member. I also started and facilitated a Grief and Loss Fellowship Support Ministry in June 2001, which I continued until leaving for seminary. I am the first female member of my 140-year-old church to attend seminary.

I firmly believe that when you seek to fulfill the purposes of God that God will supply your needs in keeping with God's holy and inexhaustible purpose for your life. Thus, the grant that I have received is a part of God's provision for my life. I am deeply grateful to God and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for making this grant available to me. Others have also supported me in my theological pilgrimage, including Charleston Atlantic Presbytery, Synod of South Atlantic, St. James Presbyterian Church and supportive individuals. God continues to bless me and my fellow seminarians at Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary who are preparing for leadership in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Ms. Crawford is an Inquirer under the care of Charleston-Atlantic Presbytery and a member of St. James Presbyterian Church, Charleston, South Carolina. She is a 2006-7 recipient of the Presbyterian Study Grant and Racial Ethnic Supplemental Grant.