Erika D. Crawford

Bishop Erika D. Crawford is the 143rd elected and consecrated bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.[1]

Education and early career

In 2002, Crawford earned a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management at Voorhees College in Denmark, South Carolina. In 2006, she earned a Master of Divinity at New York Theological Seminary. While enrolled there, she was named "outstanding preacher of the year" in 2005 and served as student government president from 2005-2006. In 2013, she earned a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Care and Counseling at Fordham University.[2][3] She has also undergone postgraduate work at Regent’s Park College - University of Oxford.

Before becoming a full-time pastor, Crawford worked in management and administration in the health insurance industry.

Career

Crawford was a member of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Stamford, Connecticut. Through itinerant ministry, she has served as a ministerial associate at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Stamford, Connecticut; Reid Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Columbia, South Carolina; and Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Harlem, New York.[1] She has also preached internationally in Bermuda, England, Guyana, Jamaica, and South Africa.[4]

In 2006, she received her first pastoral appointment. In her pastorate, Crawford led the Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Mt. Vernon, New York;[5] the African Methodist Episcopal Ebenezer Church in Rahway, New Jersey;[6] and the Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in Dover, Delaware.[7] She was the first female pastor to serve at African Methodist Episcopal Ebenezer Church[6] and Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church.[7] At these appointments, she oversaw debt and mortgage liquidation, property acquisitions, renovations, and a 3,000-sq-ft building addition.[1]

Crawford has also served as the coordinator of ecumenical and interfaith ministry for Fordham University,[3] the team chaplain for the New York Liberty from 2008-2015, a consultant for the Women's National Basketball Association Chaplains, and the director of the Pastoral Care Department at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Rahway, New Jersey.

In 2024, she made history at the 52nd Quadrennial Session of the General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Columbus, Ohio, when she was elected first in seniority, making her the first woman in the church's 208-year history to lead an Episcopal Class of Bishops.[8] Crawford serves as the 143rd elected and consecrated bishop. She is assigned as the Presiding Prelate of the 8th Episcopal District, which covers Mississippi and Louisiana.[1][9][10] She also serves as the commission chair for the African Methodist Episcopal Church’s Department of Church Growth.

Crawford has also worked as the connectional (international) president of AME Women in Ministry for two terms,[11][12] director of stewardship for the First Episcopal District, dean of the Ministerial Institute for the Delaware and New Jersey Annual Conference, vice chair of the Delaware Annual Conference trustee board, ordained and itinerant Elder at the 2004 and 2006 New England Annual Conference, and a City of Dover, Delaware ethics commission member.[1]

Professional Affiliations

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Bishop Crawford| Eighth Episcopal District AME Church". 8th District AMEC. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  2. ^ Crawford, Erika D (2013-01-01). "Serving them is killing me: Using technology as a vehicle for self-care for bi-vocational pastors in the Black Church". ETD Collection for Fordham University: 1–149.
  3. ^ a b Now, Fordham (2006-12-15). "New Protestant Chaplain Encourages Faith Through Diversity". Fordham Now. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  4. ^ "What's Next in Digital Worship? – Videos - New Brunswick Theological Seminary". 2021-03-09. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  5. ^ "Allen Temple History". Allen Temple AME Church. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  6. ^ a b "Our History". Ebenezer Ame Church in Rahway. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  7. ^ a b "About Our Church". Mt. Zion AME Dover. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  8. ^ Service, RNS Press Release Distribution (2024-08-29). "AME General Conference concludes with election of new leadership; LGBTQ+ discernment process continues". RNS. Retrieved 2025-08-04.
  9. ^ Church, A. M. E. "Bishops of The Church". AME Church. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  10. ^ Recorder, The Christian; Admin (2025-01-05). "The 8th Episcopal District Hosts Welcome Reception for Episcopal Leadership Team". The Christian Recorder. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  11. ^ Banks, Adelle M. (October 20, 2021). "Women making strides in Black denominations amid hesitancy". The Christian Century. Retrieved 31 July 2025. Erika Crawford, international president of AME Women in Ministry
  12. ^ Church, A. M. E. "Preparing for General Conference 2024". AME Church. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
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