Remembering Cheryl Crawford : 1955-2019
Remembering Cheryl Crawford: 1955-2019
Cheryl Crawford, a member of the Christian Camps and Conferences community, passed into the arms of her Savior on November 3, 2019.
Cheryl committed more than 45 years to the ministries of camps Brookwoods, Deer Run, and Moose River Outpost. In her early days she served as the Deer Run Tripping and Program Director, and in the winter traveled to recruit campers. Cheryl was instrumental in transforming the CIT program into the Leadership Development Program, with the emphasis on training and raising up future camp leaders. She also served as Director of Camp Deer Run over a span of summers in the mid 80’s and 2000’s. She transitioned into the role of Camp Pastor, while also serving on the Board of Directors for 20 years until her passing. When on camp grounds Cheryl could often be found with a paint brush in her hand as easily as preaching in chapel or helping a staff member connect with a camper. She also enjoyed a boat ride on the lake, a hike in the woods, and a bowl of Moose Tracks ice cream.
Cheryl had gifts in counseling and ministered to thousands of campers and staff through the years. She was never too busy to have a conversation and lend a listening ear. Cheryl was active in her support of others and many know that once she found out about a problem or need she was busy creating a solution or plan to meet the need. Many staff, campers, and families benefited from her efforts to help and care in practical ways.
In her work in residence life at the University of Southern California, Career Counseling at Biola University or teaching at Azusa Pacific University, she actively recruited staff for the camps, and she continued to be an encouragement to staff to stay strong and faithful through the summer and the school year. Cheryl served as a model to young women in ministry. Her faithfulness in ministry inspired others to use their gifts to serve God in many ways, and opened the door for other women to pursue degrees in divinity and seek to pastor as Cheryl had modeled for them to follow.
In her last months, one of Cheryl’s passions was to return to camp once again to serve. Her request of donations to the camp’s Scholarship Endowment Fund supports her passion to help more campers experience the joys of camp, to begin or strengthen a relationship with Christ, and raise up a new generation of women and men in leadership.
We will be celebrating Cheryl’s life at a memorial service at Glendora Community Church (CA) on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 1 pm, with a reception to follow at the church. On the day of the memorial in the spirit and in honor of Cheryl, please join us in wearing khaki and blue or an L.L. Bean flannel shirt or Sperry Topsider shoes, which were all Cheryl’s favorites.
To make a donation in honor of the life and work of Cheryl Crawford, click on this link and designate your gift to Scholarship Endowment.
