Our Pastor 

Rev. Kalif Crutcher, M.Div, MA, BCC 

Rev. Kalif G. Crutcher, M.Div., M.A., BCC, is the proud Senior Pastor and Servant Leader of Bethel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is an ordained Traveling Elder in Full Connection in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the Presiding Elder of the Greater Gary District, a Board Certified Chaplain, a healthcare executive, a former United States Army National Guard Specialist, and a doctoral candidate in Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University. As Bethel enters a new chapter following 24 years of faithful pastoral leadership, Rev. Crutcher approaches this sacred assignment with humility, deep respect for the foundation already established, and confidence grounded in nearly a decade of proven pastoral, administrative, financial, organizational, military, and community leadership.

Rev. Crutcher accepted his call to preach at the age of 16 and preached his first sermon in March 2011. He was subsequently licensed as a Local Exhorter and later licensed as a Local Preacher in 2015. He received his first pastoral appointment in September 2017 to New Hope CME Church in Evanston, Illinois, under the episcopal leadership of Bishop Sylvester Williams Sr., then Presiding Prelate of the Third Episcopal District. At the hands of Bishop James B. Walker, Rev. Crutcher 
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was ordained as both a Traveling Deacon and a Traveling Elder at the 2018 Annual Conference. In 2019, he was admitted into Full Connection, receiving the rights and responsibilities of a voting clergy member in the CME Church.

During his nearly nine-year tenure at New Hope, Rev. Crutcher provided executive leadership and strategic vision for a faith-based organization with more than 250 members. He oversaw ministry operations, fiscal management, governance, capital development, grant funding, and community partnerships. He managed an annual operating budget exceeding $120,000 and directed capital projects valued at up to $150,000, maintaining fiduciary accountability while strengthening the congregation's long-term sustainability.

Under his leadership, New Hope completed major facility improvements that positioned the church for future ministry and community engagement. A new roof was installed and paid in full at the time of the project's completion. The entire church facility was renovated, including the replacement of fixed sanctuary pews with flexible chair seating. This transformation maximized the sanctuary's usable space and created new possibilities for worship, community programming, special events, outreach, and innovative revenue-generating activities.

Rev. Crutcher's preparation for ministry is supported by extensive academic and clinical credentials. He earned a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in May 2020 and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling in May 2021. While at Garrett, he served as a Pan-Methodist Fellow, a Heerey Chaplain Scholar, Co-Chair of Garrett-Evangelical Black Seminarians, Co-Chair of the student body, and a Student Trustee. He is currently a doctoral candidate at Gonzaga University pursuing a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies, with academic interests in leadership, spirituality, organizational development, and the experiences of Black spiritual care professionals.

A Board Certified Chaplain, Rev. Crutcher has completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education, a clinical chaplain residency at Rush University Medical Center, and a chaplain internship with NorthShore University HealthSystem. He currently serves with Advocate Health as Manager of Mission and Spiritual Care, providing leadership for spiritual care services across seven hospitals in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. In this role, he leads a team of more than 30 chaplains, residents, and interns and advances clinical spiritual care, staff development, employee well-being, organizational mission, and community engagement.

Rev. Crutcher also served in the United States Army National Guard and was honorably discharged in 2018 at the rank of Specialist. During his military service, he worked in both combat arms and as a Chaplain Assistant, assisting in the spiritual care and support of more than 4,000 soldiers. This experience strengthened his ability to lead in complex environments, provide compassionate care across differences, and remain grounded during seasons of transition, crisis, and uncertainty.
Beyond the church and healthcare setting, Rev. Crutcher has maintained a strong commitment to community service and advocacy. He previously served as an executive member and Health Committee Chair of the Evanston/North Shore Branch of the NAACP. He also served with the African American Community Partnership Group of Lake County, which focused on expanding healthcare education and access within the African American community. Rev. Crutcher is a proud brother of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., and remains committed to service, scholarship, leadership, and civic engagement.

Rev. Crutcher believes Christian leadership must proclaim the love of God while actively confronting systems that oppress Black and Brown people and others marginalized because of religion, sexual orientation, gender, or disability. His ministry is rooted in the conviction that every person is created in the Imago Dei, the image of God, and must therefore be treated with dignity, compassion, equity, and respect. In 2024, Rev. Crutcher became a published scholar in the International Journal of Servant-Leadership where he authored the chapter "The Church's Failure to Embrace All of God's Beloved Creation." 

Rev. Crutcher is married to the beautiful and intelligent Minister Brittney Crutcher. Together, they are the proud parents of Cameron Michael, Layla Marie, and Sophia Felecia. Rev. and Minister Crutcher have also established a $25,000 endowed scholarship at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary that provides annual financial support to Black women scholars attending the seminary.

Rev. Crutcher lives by the assurance of Romans 8:28: "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." His life and ministry reflect a steadfast commitment to serving God, developing people, strengthening institutions, and leading congregations and communities faithfully into God's next.