The Reverend Jonathan Crail was born into a pastor’s family, his whole childhood was surrounded and shaped by church services, Sunday School, Bible studies, church potlucks, prayer meetings, youth group meetings and other church connections.  Summer church camp was often a highlight of his year as he got pumped up to live a Christian life and witness in the midst of an unbelieving world.

The highlight of his Wheaton College education came in the form of a six-month (HNGR) internship in the Philippines.  As his first experience living overseas and in a Third World country, he gained a whole new perspective about economics, Christian faith, community, hospitality and justice. 

After college, he began working with various organizations that assisted people in need, usually in cross-cultural contexts.  First, he joined the Illinois Conference of Churches (ICC) Refugee and Immigration Services (now Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Services) in Chicago where he worked to link churches with newly arriving refugees from Vietnam and other countries.  Next, he began a two-year role with Mercy Corps International (MCI) back in the Philippines, serving as Assistant to the Country Director.  In this capacity, he helped set up a new Country Office, monitored and prepared reports for projects in three different regions of the country, and organized relief efforts following a major earthquake and the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. 

After a short interlude back in Chicago, he returned to the Philippines to work at the Philippine Refugee Processing Center (PRPC), a transit and training center for Southeast Asian refugees, working to oversee logistics for medical, educational and spiritual programs sponsored by World Relief Corporation (WRC). 

Just prior to seminary, he accepted an appointment as a part-time student local pastor at Capron and Chemung UMC’s in the Rockford District.  He graduated with my Masters of Divinity (MDIV) degree from Garrett-Evangelical in May 2003 and was ordained as an Elder in June 2005. He has served with joy at Harding and Serena UMCs for the last five years.

Family Status:  Married fourteen (14) years to Rhodalyne Gallo Crail
Rhodalyne teaches Filipino language and Southeast Asian Literature at NIU in Dekalb
Two Children: Nathaniel and Rebekah

Educational
BA- Political Science, Wheaton College, IL, 1988.
MA – International Affairs (Southeast Asia Studies), Ohio University, 1997.
MDIV – Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, 2003.

Previous Appointments: 
Student Local Pastor, Capron/Chemung (Rockford District), 8/2000-6/2004 (4 yrs)
Pastor, Harding/Serena (Dekalb District), 7/2004 to 6/2009 (5 yrs)

District Leadership:
Registrar, Dekalb District Committee on Ordained Ministry, 8/2007 to Present
Cluster Convener, River Cluster (Ottawa Area UM churches), 7/07 to Present
 Member, Dekalb District Missions Committee, 2005 to Present
           
Conference Leadership:
Member, Conference Board of Global Missions, 2004-2008
Member, Conference Board of Higher Education, 2008 to Present
Member, Town and Rural Center Board, 2005 to Present
Secretary, Conference Clergy Retreat Planning Committee, 2005 to Present

 

Updated 7/19/2007