Pastor receives governor’s award

By W. Thomas Smith, Jr.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Rev. Dr. George Crow, senior pastor of Northeast Presbyterian Church, was presented the ORDER OF THE SILVER CRESCENT during ceremonies at his retirement dinner, Mar. 7. Presented either by or on behalf of the S.C. governor. the award is the state’s highest civilian honor “for significant contributions, leadership, volunteerism, and lifelong influence within a region or community.”

Crow, who will retire from the pulpit in May, has served as senior pastor of Northeast Presbyterian Church for 40 years.

Born in Austin, Texas; Crow and his family – led as he says by his “globetrotting professor” father – traveled throughout his childhood from the American Southwest, to Europe and then Latin America before settling in Rock Hill during Crow’s high school years. He then received an appointment to and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, which was followed by U.S. Army helicopter training. Following flight school, he received advanced training on the USAF version of the UH-1 ‘Huey’ helicopter.

Crow volunteered for service in Vietnam and was assigned to the Air Force’s 20th Special Operations Squadron, “Green Hornets,” providing close-air and other combat support for both U.S. and South Vietnamese reconnaissance teams. He was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for operations involving the ground-to-air extraction of ground-force reconnaissance teams that had come under enemy attack.

Crow’s final years in the USAF were in the Panama Canal Zone providing humanitarian aid both in Panama and in neighboring countries.

Honorably discharged at the rank of captain after serving five years on active duty, Crow returned to S.C. where he entered Columbia Biblical Seminary (Columbia International University).

Upon graduation in 1979, Crow was called to serve in the organization of Northeast Presbyterian Church (PCA) overseeing four decades of church growth, the planting of new churches, broad support of stateside and overseas missions and outreach, recognized year-round children’s programs, and vibrant women’s and men’s ministries programs both of which have led and coordinated efforts with other Midlands-area churches.

“All due to – and as a result of – a remarkable team of staff and volunteers which God provided every step of the way,” said Crow.

Along the way, Crow received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Reformed Theological Seminary.

Crow’s retirement dinner, attended by approximately 500 guests including wife Cathy and daughter Emily Crow Hughes and son Daniel, was held at the Pastides Alumni Center at the University of South Carolina.