Student Life

Services | Spiritual Life

 

The Campus Pastor: A Personal Introduction

I’m Steve Crain, as of this fall, the new Campus Pastor for McPherson College. I also teach in the Department of Philosophy and Religion.

By way of introduction, let me share a bit about myself.

I’m a fourth-generation native of California whose hometown is Pacific Grove, on the Monterey Peninsula. After spending half of my life in my home state, I moved to Indiana for graduate work and then settled there, for ten years in South Bend and then fifteen years in Ft. Wayne, before moving to Kansas this summer. I am married, with a teenage son at home and two adult stepdaughters, one in Chicago, and one back in Indiana. I am enjoying my first year in Kansas!
I am ordained in the Church of the Brethren and have a broad background in both Evangelical and Catholic Christianity, with especially strong ties to the Episcopal Church. As for my education, I earned an undergraduate degree in physics from Stanford University, a master’s in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, and then finally a master’s in the history and philosophy of science and a Ph.D. in theology from the University of Notre Dame.

I seek to be a pastor who is rooted in Christ and grounded in prayer and Scripture, and who is here for you, whatever your religious beliefs, experiences, or background. No matter how you identify yourself and your spiritual or religious path, I would like you to consider me a possible friend to whom you can turn for spiritual counsel and encouragement, for conversation and prayer, and just for an ear and an open heart. I will work closely with our campus counselor, Kelli Johnson, in helping to provide appropriate care for students in need.

I’m in the basement of the Student Union. My office hours are currently MWRF 10-11 and 1:30-3:30, although I am frequently in my office between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, so you can often simply drop by. I am available by appointment. My office extension is 2508 (620-242-0508). You can most easily schedule a counseling appointment by using our Online Scheduler.