Meet the Publisher of MU Press,

Prof. David Crim 

by Sara Blakeney

For our first post we are proud to present the Publisher of Missional University Press, Professor David Crim. David has extensive publishing experience, having previously served as Editor In Chief at Lifeway Christian Resources in Nashville, Tennessee. I caught up with David and was able to ask him a few questions.

1) SB: What attracted you to Missional University?

David: A few years ago, God began to turn the page, so to speak, in the story He has written for my life. Through the Word and prayer, my wife (Cindy) and I realized that years of cross-cultural mission had prepared us to teach what we have learned. A deep passion began to grow in my heart to enter the academy: to research the many questions that had formed in my mind about being on God’s mission, and to write and teach what I learn. As a result of prayer, God led me to discover Missional University. When I read MU’s mission, vision and core values, I knew this was a place I would fit in. Not only does the university’s passion for developing missional people match ours, but the opportunity to research, write and teach at MU allows us to live out our own mission, wherever God leads us. MU’s online design, allows us to live wherever God places us to serve Him. That is exciting.

2) SB: What excites you the most about your new position?

David: There are many things that excite me about my role in MU. Though Dr. Watke and others have been engaged in developing the university for several years, MU is something new. It is exciting to be a part of working along side creative and talented men and women, who in partnership with God, are creating a new reality of Christian education. I am excited about working with a team to create, from the ground up, a publishing arm of MU that will innovate, inspire, and inform others to have a passion for God’s mission. I am excited about the voice that MU Press will add to the growing understanding of God’s mission. I am also excited about my role as a mentor of new academic researchers and writers. A couple of years ago, God encouraged me in a very difficult time in my life with this Word from Psalm 71:18

Even while I am old and gray,

God, do not abandon me,

while I proclaim your power

to another generation,

your strength to all who are to come.

I am excited about preparing a new generation to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth. 

3) SB: Where do you live? What do you love most about it?

David: Cindy and I live in Manila, Philippines. Manila is one of the largest cities in the world, and is the most densely populated city in the world. Metro Manila consists of Manila proper and 15 other smaller cities that incorporate the National Capital Region (NCR) of the Philippines. More than 24 million people live in the NCR. Manila is also one of the most diverse cities in the world. We love the diversity: many ethnicities, many languages, and a lot of good food. We love Filipinos. They are some of the friendliest people we have ever known. We love how relationships are prized. We love how eager believing Filipinos are to serve God and make Him known.

4) SB: If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?

David: That’s a hard one. But then again, as I think the question, it’s really very simple. Loved. I think that word describes me best. I am loved. The more I know God, the more I am aware of how much He loves me. And I am stunned by His love. To be loved personally, intimately, by the One who spoke the world into existence, who sustains it by His mighty power, who formed humankind and breathed life into His created people, this God — that is more than my mind can fathom. This God, who took the form of flesh and died on the cross for me. This God. This love. For me. I am astonished. And throughout my life, God has loved me through godly parents, a godly wife, beautiful daughters, friends and co-workers. And years ago, when I was living a prodigal life, God was waiting for me, with arms ready to embrace me, when I came home. Loved. This is who I am.

5) SB: What Bible character do you relate to the most and why?

David: I think it’s Peter. Like Peter, I am an ordinary man, whom God has called into discipleship and ministry. Like Peter, I can be too outspoken and abrupt. Like Peter, I have sometimes made promises I discovered were impossible to keep. Like Peter, I have failed miserably and experienced Christ’s restoration. Like Peter, I have experienced the filling of the Spirit to proclaim God’s message to a diverse audience. Like Peter, I often feel and hear the loving voice of Jesus correcting my errant ways.

We are thrilled to welcome David to the MU family! For more information...