The Rev. Dr. Robert E. Crawford is excited to answer the call to serve as the minister at Southern Hills Christian Church in Edmond, OK. Rob holds a B.A. from Phillips University, as well as an M.Div. and a D.Min. from Phillips Theological Seminary. He is currently serving as a leader for a national ministry of the church called Bethany Fellowship, as well as on the Commission of Clergy in Oklahoma and the Phillips Theological Seminary Transitionary and Presidential Search Commission. Rob became an ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) December 31st, 2000. Since then he served as a congregational minister in Bartlesville, and Nowata, Oklahoma. Rob’s ministry has focused on the importance of Disciples identity and inclusion. Working to develop ecumenical partnerships, as well as advocating for peace and social justice issues are Rob’s passions. He was a Disciples Peace Fellowship Intern in 1998, later served on their board, and was privileged to serve as their moderator for part of that time. His doctoral work has informed his belief that relationship is more important than ‘being right,’ and that when it comes to pastoral care, presence is more important than words. Rob tries to teach and practice the understanding that ‘listening is prayer’. Rob strongly believes that sabbath-keeping, as well as a disciplined prayer life, both of which are part of the ethos developed with the Bethany Fellowship, are critical for the holistic health of people of faith. Rob is married to Jason Holder. For the past 15 years, they raised their two children Olivia and Eli in Bartlesville, OK. Recently, the kids graduated from high school and began to attend college. Eli is a freshman at Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia and Olivia is a freshman at O.U. in Norman, OK. Jason and Rob are excited to move back to their hometown area and are looking forward to serving with the good people of Southern Hills Christian Church.
