Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Chrystal Crawford. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Dr. Chrystal, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
In order to be effective, I have learned to embrace the fact that I am a pioneer in many aspects. If we consider the Apostle Paul, we can see that being a pioneer was also part of his makeup along with other apostolic graces he walked in. Like Paul, I have learned to build and how to maintain. In this, I have also learned that when you are in rooms, or in places where nobody looks like you, or is doing what you are doing, you have no choice other than to give generously of yourself because nothing is owed to you and if people help you it is because of the grace of God. I have learned that if I am called to it, in this apostolic work that I am doing, I am called to it by myself and that nobody is coming to rescue me. I am sent to do a work for a specific people, in a specific place at a specific time. I don’t look for anyone to look like me, my job is to make sure each day I begin to look more and more like Him…like my Father in heaven.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I have just recently launched a new initiative called REACH: The Community under the ministry the Lord gave me which is The Ekklesia Training and Equipping Center. This initiative seeks to bring awareness to the church about those who are considered the unchurched as well as the unchurched church. This initiative includes discussions between believers, non believers, those who have grown up in church, serving in ministry as well as those who have left the church for various reasons and still have a relationship with the Lord. It is an initiative that seeks to bring not only awareness of the need for new strategies on how to reach those who are considered unchurched, but to provide a safe place for people of all walks of life to learn about the Gospel, talk about their beliefs, get answers and be restored in a safe place.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
As a leader the most important skill is discernment. When leaders lack discernment, perilous times can result and they can make poor decisions, fall into enemy traps and rely on “yes men” who may or may not have their best interest at heart. Even people who walk closely with God and hear His voice accurately can miss it. Consider the Gibeonites and how they tricked Joshua into making a covenant with them, and he ended up having to go to war to defend them. The Bible says he “did not ask counsel of the Lord” (Josh. 9:14). A young prophet didn’t discern an old prophet lying to him and paid for it with his life (1 Kings 13:1-24). Even Samuel, a prophet whose words never fell to the ground, missed it by relying on his natural eyes. He thought surely Eliab was God’s choice to replace Saul (1 Sam. 16:6-13), so discernment is key.
Looking back, I realize that relationships are truly a currency that one cannot afford to waste them because they can buy things that money cannot buy. Destiny is advanced and fulfilled through relationships. Relationships are not just connections, but advantageous connections. God has called us to be relational, no one does anything great alone.
Walking in the fear of the Lord is by far the most important area of knowledge that I have. It is by way of the power of the fear of the Lord that the prophetic words over your life come to pass. The fear of the Lord is a spirit that one must grow in and must choose. Real influence comes from the fear of the Lord because from this place is where we find the fruit of obedience and then influence is bestowed upon one’s life.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
Reaching the unchurched is always a challenge because things in this world are always changing though our God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Some strategies that many leaders in the church have used prior are in many ways ineffective now. Part of the challenge is remaining simple, not shying away from doctrine for fear of losing people, refraining from over programming and the cost of maintaining authenticity. Acknowledging church failures with the hopes of bringing clarity, correction and above all compassion to the table. Sometimes there is a need to help others understand what happened and why, sometimes an apology is needed and sometimes it is a matter of showing genuine concern and compassion. Being open to having real conversations with the Bible as the foundation can be a challenge because in the end it is about the facts, not our feelings. While feelings do have a place, how we feel about something that has gone wrong, or about a certain group of people should never get in the way of real fellowship with real believers and above all, a relationship with God.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://apostlechrystalcrawford.us/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrystalcrawford116
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chrystalcrawford
Image Credits
I have all rights to the images
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
