“I know what I’m getting as a graduate student at Olivet Nazarene University,” says LaMorris Crawford ’06/’12 MOL. “I earned my bachelor’s degree and Master of Organizational Leadership degree at Olivet. Now, as I’m preparing for the next season of my ministry with additional education, I’m back with Olivet.”
LaMorris’ career path has stretched and challenged him. After working on staff at Olivet as associate director of transfer 
admissions, he joined the team at Shepherd Community Center in Indianapolis to work with urban youth in a non-traditional sports setting. His interests in sports and ministry led him to serve as an NFL chaplain for nine years, most recently with the Carolina Panthers. For three years, he was the marriage and family pastor at Relentless Church in Greenville, South Carolina.
His NFL and other ministry experiences led him to found Covenant Culture Ministries with his wife, Megan (Petty) ’09. They are committed to helping couples begin and continue Christ-centered discipleship through the marriage covenant. Their passion is to see relationships flourish and families strengthened through the power of the Gospel.
“God started humanity with a marriage,” LaMorris says. “He’s going to end it with one.”
In the Beginning
LaMorris grew up in a challenging environment, marked by poverty and gang influence. Born on the south side of Chicago, he was only 10 months old when his mother was shot to death at age 17. He still has no idea who his father is. Growing up without parents, he found his own way of survival through gangs, drugs, popularity and basketball.
At age 19, he became the first person in his family to attend college when he entered Olivet. In addition to connecting with mentors, expanding his world through academics, and learning more about life as a follower of Jesus, LaMorris met Megan Petty. She became his wife in 2008, and they are now the parents of four children.
“At Olivet, I found — and still find — professors who truly care about their students,” he says. “The University’s long-standing commitment to academic excellence with a Christian purpose is part of every degree program.”
Today and Tomorrow
An accomplished public speaker and renowned evangelist, LaMorris realized that he needed to be more firmly grounded in his ministry leadership skills. In 2026, he began the Master of Arts in Ministerial Studies degree program in the School of 
Theology and Christian Ministry at Olivet. This online program fits well with his busy schedule, as well as providing the education he needs to prepare him for the next season of his ministry and calling.
Providing a comprehensive education in theology, Bible and practices, this program is preparing ministerial leaders for the work of ministry in the 21st century. The program is designed to provide students with a robust, graduate level experience while also addressing requirements for ordination.
“Ministry involves surrender,” LaMorris says. “Surrender does not start with the posture of your body. It starts with the posture of your heart. God desires to use us. He’s longing to use us. Everything that’s going on in the earth, if it’s breaking your heart, it’s a problem God’s calling you to solve.”
Learn more about Olivet Nazarene University’s graduate degree programs at Olivet.edu/academics/graduate-programs. For more information or to enroll, email onlineadmissions@olivet.edu or call 877-465-4838.
