On Sept. 13, 2026, delegates to the Mid-America Union Conference constituency session voted 89% in favor of Craig Carr to serve as vice president of administration for the union for the coming five years.
Dr. Craig Carr steps into his new role as vice president for administration of the Mid-America Union Conference with experience that spans business, human resources, healthcare, pastoral ministry and church administration.
For Carr, those different chapters are connected by a belief that God has been preparing him throughout his life for opportunities to serve.
“I believe God is always preparing us for His will and plan for our lives,” Carr said.
Carr earned a degree in business administration from Union Adventist University and worked in
human resource management and healthcare administration before entering pastoral ministry. He began church ministry as an associate and youth pastor and later served as a district pastor and lead pastor.
After 15 years in pastoral ministry, his calling shifted toward ministerial and administrative work. Along the way, he completed a Master of Divinity from Andrews University and, 12 years later, a Doctor of Ministry from Denver Seminary.
Carr believes that wide range of experiences will be important in his new role. But he also recognizes that experience by itself is not enough.
Serving as vice president for administration, he said, requires
“a prayerful dependence on Jesus for wisdom to meet the growing complexities of life and ministry in 2026.”
Carr hopes to use his role to encourage and support the union office team as well as conferences, pastors and teachers as they carry out their own callings.
His years in ministry and administration have also taught him not to rush when facing difficult problems.
Whether dealing with an organizational crisis or a situation involving an individual, Carr said it is important to remember that
“where we find ourselves today did not likely happen overnight”
and that quick fixes are often not the answer.
Instead, he tries to understand the systems, processes, relationships and perspectives that helped create a situation. That means looking beyond assumptions and recognizing that people may have made difficult decisions based on what they knew at the time.
“There’s always a story half-written,” Carr said.
For him, good decision-making requires taking time to understand that story and prayerfully seeking a way forward.
Two Bible passages help shape that approach to life and leadership.
Gal. 2:20 has been Carr’s favorite verse for many years. Its message that “Christ lives in me” reminds him that his identity is found in Jesus. He sees everyday life as an opportunity to experience Christ living through him while remembering that his value comes from the One who loves him and gave His life for him.
Carr, a runner, also connects deeply with the words of Heb. 12:1–2 and its call to “run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
He sees the “great cloud of witnesses” described in the passage as a reminder of the mentors, leaders and people of faith who have gone before. Their examples can provide encouragement, but the focus must remain on Jesus.
The passage also reminds Carr of the discipline required to remove things that hinder growth and effectiveness and to keep moving forward even when circumstances are difficult.
About Craig Carr
Craig Carr holds degrees from Union Adventist University, Andrews University and Denver Seminary. His 29 years of ministry include pastoral, ministerial and administrative leadership. Most recently, he served as Mid-America Union ministerial and evangelism director. He and his wife, Carisa, have been married for 30 years and have two adult children.
