MEET CRAIG HUNTER

Our pastor was born in Olean, New York in October of 1974 and spent the majority of his growing up years as a “PK” or Presbyterian preacher’s kid. He lived in Georgia when his father went to seminary and also in Florida. Craig graduated Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC in 1996 with a B.A. in religion, minoring in biology. He went there with full 4-year tuition, room and board academic merit scholarship, as well as a National Merit Scholarship. He spent a semester abroad in Japan during that time. His master’s of divinity is from Princeton Seminary, where he studied from 1997-2001. He enjoyed a Presbyterian Leadership Award (3 year full tuition, room, and board merit scholarship) while there. He was the recipient of a fellowship for one year of post-graduate study at the University of Tuebingen in Germany in 2001-2002.

Craig is a world traveler. In addition to his time in Japan and Germany, he worked as an English teacher in China during the fall of 1996 and was a Peace/Justice Intern with the International Center of Bethlehem, Palestine, and at Badil Advocacy Center for Palestinian Refugees in Bethlehem. He served 2 churches in New Jersey and Florida as a pastoral intern, and worked as chaplain at the Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, FLA for 6 months, where he completed the Clinical Pastoral Education program.

After ordination in October of 2003 in St. Augustine Presbytery, Craig traveled to Tokyo, Japan to serve as Associate Pastor at the Tokyo Union Church. This is a large, non-denominational protestant church that serves an English-speaking congregation. During his two years there, he preached about 20 times a year, and directed the adult Christian Education program, teaching 9 different adult classes. He provided pastoral care, and was liaison to the Women’s Society and a home ministry group. He provided leadership for the youth group and directed the search for and hiring of youth ministry and children’s ministry directors. While in Tokyo, Craig enjoyed leading others in “new experiences that were opportunities for spiritual growth.” He led two two-week long study trips, one to Turkey and one to Israel/Palestine. These involved preparation of five months of weekly class sessions with lectures, discussions and presentations on subjects related to the trips.

Craig enjoys congregational game nights (he has a collection of over 100 board games) and movie discussion nights and tells us that he is very enthusiastic about the fellowship of meals together.

Our church’s commitment to inclusiveness and diversity, its passion for social justice and interest in interfaith dialogue are what first attracted him to us.

Though his ordained work experience is short, Trinity’s PNC was drawn to Craig by his passion for mission, his intelligence, and the expansiveness of his world experience. Parishioners at his former church characterize him as “a man of God,” a great preacher, and a truly nonjudgmental, compassionate listener. We feel that his call will be a blessing to Trinity and to Craig.