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PCHAS Welcomes New VP for Development

On April 11, PCHAS welcomed the Rev. Peter D. Crouch as its new Vice President of Development. Rev. Crouch is a graduate of UCLA and San Francisco Theological Seminary. A Presbyterian minister with 22 years of experience, he has provided leadership for several Presbyterian-related ministries including Newport Presbyterian Church (in Bellevue, WA), the Presbytery of Chicago, the Presbyterian Foundation, Church World Service, and San Francisco Theological Seminary.

Rev. Crouch has led annual fundraising programs that have ranged from $3 million to $32 million, and during the past nine years, the development programs under his leadership have secured over $130 million for annual, capital and endowment purposes. He served San Francisco Theological Seminary as Director of Development from 1989 to 1992 and Vice President of Institutional Advancement from 2005 to 2011. His responsibilities at the Seminary included supervising the development, alumni relations, information technology, communications, and conference services departments.

Prior to returning to SFTS, he was the Chief Development Officer for Church World Service (CWS), an $83 million global relief agency with programs in over 80 countries. His ministry has also included serving as the regional Planned Giving Officer in Illinois for the Presbyterian Foundation and as Director of Development, Communications, and Stewardship for Chicago Presbytery. From 1992 to 1997 he served as Associate Pastor of Newport Presbyterian Church in Bellevue, WA.

Rev. Crouch stated, “I greatly admire and resonate with the mission of PCHAS, having served as a pastor where I ministered to children from both affluent and broken homes. The son of missionary parents, (born in Bangkok, Thailand), I learned at an early age that all children need and deserve God’s love and care. My wife and I served as foster parents of a 16 year old Thai refugee student in the mid 90’s, and this experience allowed us to learn about the challenges adolescents face when overcoming childhood trauma. Through my work with Church World Service, raising funds to address hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world, I learned in a new way how these obstacles to wholeness can affect a child’s social, physical and spiritual development.”

Rev. Crouch added, “I am very pleased to join PCHAS and am committed to its mission of helping children in need. PCHAS is known for the fine quality of its group homes, foster care, and adoption services and its dedication to the 3,000 children it serves on an annual basis. I’m honored to join this outstanding ministry and to have the opportunity to provide leadership for the PCHAS development and communications programs.” With a pastor’s heart, Peter Crouch is an outgoing person who enjoys building new friendships and institutional relationships. He and his wife, Suzanne, have one son, Taylor, who is a high school senior preparing to enter college in the fall.

Rev. Crouch notes in the Gospel of John that “Jesus created a new family when He addressed His mother and His disciple from the cross, saying ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to His disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ I sense that Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services faithfully walks with Jesus beside children in need providing supportive resources and compassionate care. I look forward to joining PCHAS’ leadership team and meeting everyone who makes this ministry possible.”