Letter of Affirmation

To Call a New Regional Minister for the Illinois/Wisconsin and Michigan Regions (the future Living Waters Region)

August 29, 2025

To the Congregations and Clergy of the Living Waters Region:

After a process of prayerful discernment, careful evaluation, and thorough review, the Search Committee joyfully and unanimously recommends Rev. Dr. William E. Crowder, Jr. for the position of Regional Minister of the newly emerging Living Waters Region.

Our Search Process

Over the past months, our committee engaged in an extensive search process that included reviewing ministerial profiles, conducting comprehensive interviews, and spending time in prayer and discernment. We sought a leader who could guide our merging region through this transformative season with wisdom, grace, and vision.

• October–December 2024 – The committee met weekly, prayed, sent a region-wide survey to gather insights, and facilitated a region-wide Listening Session. Afterward, we developed the Regional Profile and Position Description.

• January–March 2025 – The Regional Minister profile was open until March 3, with 16 candidates applying. We reviewed all profiles, confirmed a slate of candidates to interview, and engaged an independent evaluator for comparison.

• March 2025 – Narrowed to five candidates for virtual interviews.

• May 2025 – Held in-person interviews with the top three candidates in Chicago.

• June 2025 – Entered a period of discernment with the final three candidates.

• July 2025 – Reached consensus, selected a candidate, and notified the others.

We affirmed Rev. Dr. William E. Crowder, Jr., current Pastor of Park Manor Christian Church in Chicago, Illinois. In Dr. Crowder, we have found not only a qualified candidate but a pastor-leader whose gifts align perfectly with the needs of our emerging region.

Why Dr. Crowder is the Right Leader for Our Time

Pastoral Heart with Administrative Excellence
Currently serving as pastor of Park Manor Christian Church in Chicago and president of the National Convocation, Dr. Crowder brings extensive experience across many ministry contexts. His collaborative style and deep listening skills make him a gifted bridge-builder between congregations, communities, and partners. His leadership on major projects with significant community impact demonstrates his spiritual, political, and financial acumen.

Proven Leadership in Transformation
Dr. Crowder has led congregations through challenging transitions. At New Covenant Christian Church in Nashville, he stabilized the church after years of pastoral turnover and helped build a $3.2 million HUD senior housing complex. At Park Manor Christian Church in Chicago, he is currently overseeing a $34 million, 52-unit senior housing project scheduled to break ground in 2025.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Dr. Crowder has worked across cultural, denominational, and community lines, and his ministry reflects the full inclusion of the Disciples movement. As chair of the CCIW Committee on Ministry, he shepherded candidates of every background—Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, straight, and LGBTQIAP+—through ordination. His leadership of the Chatham Ministerial Alliance, which secured a $1 million state grant to combat gun violence, demonstrates his ability to build coalitions for justice.

Regional Vision and Experience
Through his leadership of the CCIW Committee on Ministry and his role as President of National Convocation, Dr. Crowder has shown the administrative skills and collaborative style essential for regional ministry. His experience spans rural, suburban, and urban contexts across Ohio, Tennessee, and Illinois, giving him broad insight into the diverse challenges and opportunities of our congregations.

What Sets Dr. Crowder Apart

Dr. Crowder is not only an influential leader but also a pastor with a heart for people and a passion for showing how Jesus changes lives. He is committed to caring for clergy, congregations, and new expressions of church across every context in our region.

He has articulated a compelling vision for building bridges in the Living Waters Region through presence, authentic relationships, and a focus on what unites us. His pastoral presence and ability to facilitate difficult conversations were evident to the committee throughout the discernment process.

Addressing Our Greatest Challenge

When asked about the greatest challenge facing our merging region, Dr. Crowder identified the need to find what connects us and keeps us at the table despite our divides. His approach—building relationships one visit, one phone call, one camp, one worship service at a time—reflects both his pastoral heart and the patient work required to build trust.

A Leader Tested by Life

Dr. Crowder’s faith has been shaped through significant personal trials, including the loss of four close family members and his son’s serious accident. His transparency and commitment to self-care demonstrate the resilience and emotional intelligence required for regional leadership. As he affirms: “Faith is not Faith until it is tested.”

Exceptional References

The committee was consistently impressed by the glowing references offered on Dr. Crowder’s behalf:

• “You will be hard pressed to find a better man, minister, and Christian than Dr. William Crowder.” – Richard Earl Hamilton, Interim Regional Minister for Illinois/Wisconsin

• “He has a strong ethical foundation. He is committed to doing what is always right!” – Jackie Bunch, Parliamentarian for National Convocation

• “My first word is FAITHFUL! Dr. Crowder is faithful to his commitments, his understanding of the role and responsibilities, his commitment to the gospel.” – Marilyn Fiddmont, Christian Church Foundation

Our Affirmation and Recommendation

Dr. Crowder’s experience, humility, and grounded leadership style give us confidence that he will serve the Living Waters Region with wisdom and grace. His collaborative spirit, proven leadership in community transformation, and pastoral heart position him perfectly for this season of growth and renewal.

We enthusiastically recommend Rev. Dr. William E. Crowder, Jr. to serve as the first Regional Minister of the Living Waters Region and invite all congregations and clergy to join us in supporting his call to this vital ministry.

In Christ’s service,

The Search Committee for Regional Minister for the Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan Regions (Living Waters Region)

• Sandy Harvey, Associate Pastor, Serenity Christian Church, Hazel Park, MI (Chair)

• Ben McCloughan, Pastor, First Christian, Virden, IL (Vice-Chair)

• Karon Alexander, Elder, United Christian Church, Country Club Hills, IL (Secretary)

• Allie Lundblad, Pastor, Christian Church of Arlington Heights, Arlington Heights, IL (Member)

• Grant Wade, Pastor, First Christian Church, Sullivan, IL (Member)

• Marla McElroy, Deacon, First Christian Church, Bloomington, IL (Member)

• Vicki Kirby, Deacon, United Christian Church, Detroit, MI (Member & Michigan Region Moderator)