Born in Jefferson County Alabama, George Crenshaw was ordained as a Christian Minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in 1986. He is married to the former Laurenna Hardy of Birmingham, Alabama and is the father of two children Quentin Dewayne and Kennedy Diane.

 

Dr. Crenshaw has had a blessed and productive life in ministry having served in the capacities of Pastor and Presiding Elder. As a pastor, Dr. Crenshaw has served in Calcis, Alabama; Indianapolis, Indiana; Cheraw, SC; Lancaster SC, and presently is serving in Smyrna, Georgia at the Shaw Temple AME Zion Church. His position as Presiding Elder has placed him in the Indianapolis District, Cheraw-Bennettsville District and Lancaster District.

 

Dr. Crenshaw has exercised his dominate spiritual gifts of Administration, Teaching, Shepherding and Preaching to fashion a ministry design to empower and edify. Through his teachings, each area experienced a fresh encounter with God. His powerful and penetrating teachings and writings touch the hearts of those young and old, Black and White, affluent and less fortunate and all those who are simply in need of God’s blessing.

 

Dr. Crenshaw’s preaching style includes careful explanation of Scripture combined with his signature ability to tell detailed, credible and unforgettable stories from contemporary life that enhances the sermon and relates to the congregation. He also makes penetrating and specific application of the text to his people. He does all of this while maintaining the vibrant preaching tradition of church and culture in an atmosphere of celebration.

 

Among his many accolades, Dr. Crenshaw holds an Honorary Doctorate Degree from both Clinton College and Livingstone College; a B.A. from Indiana University, a Masters of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry from Hood Theological Seminary.

 

Dr. Crenshaw is a leader beyond his own church and serves on boards, agencies, trusteeships and committees at local, state , connectional and national levels. He is constantly in demand by fellow ministers for counsel and wisdom.

 

Dr. Crenshaw has held many outstanding memberships and positions as well as having been recognized for many distinguished acclaims. He has served as president of the Cheraw Branch of the NAACP. He is a member of the AME Zion Connectional Budget Board and served as First Vice President of the Presiding Elder’s Council 2001-2005. Pastor Crenshaw is a past board member of the Chesterfield General Hospital, Cheraw SC.

 

Dr. Crenshaw is a five time delegate to the AME Zion Church General Conference, delegate to the 2001 World Methodist Conference in Brighton, England and 2006 World Methodist Conference in Seoul Korea, and will be a delegate to the 2011 in Durban, South Africa.  Dr. Crenshaw is serving as an Executive Board Member for the period 2006-11. Dr. Crenshaw is also a member of the World Methodist Evangelism Institute Board of Directors.

 

He is a 2000 James Varick Freedom Medal recipient and is a past President of Hood Theological Seminary Student Government Association. Dr. Crenshaw was a contributing Writer of the AME Zion Church Christian Education Manual 2002.

 

He was recognized as the 1999 “Man of the Year” by the Lambda Iota Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and recipient of the “Outstanding Community Leader” award from the Bennettsville Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Dr. Crenshaw is a community activist and was recognized as “Citizen of the Year” by the Cheraw Branch of the NAACP.

 

He is the founder of the Zion Center Community Development Cooperation in Cheraw, SC as well as the founder of the Cheraw-Bennettsville District AME Zion Church Mass Choir. He is Founder of the Shaw Temple Biblical Leadership Institute. He has led Shaw Temple in three missionary journeys to Liberia and Ghana, recently being honored at the World Evangelism Institute as Church of the year 2011.

 

Dr. Crenshaw presently serves as Chairman of the Budget Committee, Home Missions Treasurer, Vice Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee, and Member of the Admissions Committee and Conference Examiners for the Georgia Conference of the AME Zion Church.

 

Pastor Crenshaw is Founder and President of the Shaw Temple Biblical and Leadership Institute.

 

Dr. Crenshaw is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

 

Life time member of the Connectional Lay Council AME Zion Church

Life Patron of the WHOM Society.

Life Member of the Christian Education Department.

Life Member of the NAACP.