Pastor Crowder was born in Stuttgart, Germany, the son of a career military man. Pastor Crowder’s dad, John Crowder was born and raised in Burlington, Iowa. His mother, Julia (Newstrom) Crowder was born and raised in Aitken, Minnesota. They met through a pen-pal club for Christians. Pastor Crowder’s youth was spent crossing the country. He had the privilege of attending 22 different schools including 4 different high schools.
Pastor Crowder graduated from Lake County Baptist Temple High School in June of 1981. He met Dr. B. Myron Cedarholm while a senior in high school. Dr. Cedarholm was the President of Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, Wisconsin. Convinced of God’s leading, Pastor Crowder attended Maranatha Baptist Bible College. While at the college, he helped start a church in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Fox River Baptist later merged with Pilgrim Baptist Church.
Pastor Crowder met his future wife while working in the kitchen of the college. Laura (Moore) became his wife in December of 1984. Pastor Crowder left Maranatha in 1983 to work with his future father-in-law at Parkview Baptist Church. He served at the church for four and a half years. He earned his B.Ed. degree from Faith Evangelistic Bible College in 1986.
Pastor Crowder was called to Allerton Baptist Church, in Allerton, Iowa in August of 1988. This church was started in 1885 and organized as an American Baptist Church. The church became independent in 1965. Pastor Crowder served six years in Allerton, the longest tenure of any pastor in its’ history.
In 1994, Pastor Crowder candidated at Bethel Baptist Church. He was called to be the pastor in November of 1994 and moved to the field in December of 1994.
Pastor and Mrs. Crowder have six children. John and James were born while serving on the west side of Chicago. Joe and Lisa were born while serving in Iowa. Linda and Lydia were born in Escanaba. The family enjoys the U.P. and looks forward to continuing to serve the Lord together in Manistique.
