Dr. Kim Murray-Cruse is a trailblazing faith community leader, mental health theologian, entrepreneur, and passionate teacher-preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from St. John’s University and earned her Master of Divinity, magna cum laude, with a concentration in Pastoral Care and Spiritual Counseling from New York Theological Seminary, where she received the prestigious Keith A. Russell Preaching Award. She later earned her Doctorate from Virginia Union University, concentrating in Community Health and Sustainability.

As a theologian and pioneer of Mental Health Theology, Dr. Murray-Cruse leverages her platform to cultivate sustainable spiritual growth and mental wellness. She addresses complex, real-life challenges including depression, social injustice, domestic violence, addiction, suicide prevention, conflict resolution, and financial literacy through a Christ-centered, theologically grounded framework. She ministers weekly at Grace Baptist Church, where Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson serves as Senior Pastor.

Dr. Murray-Cruse is the co-author of the Interfaith Affirming Service Providers Questionnaire and the award-winning Directory of Faith-Affirming Community Mental Health Service Providers, developed to serve the mental health needs of the interfaith community throughout the New York region.

To expand access to faith-affirming mental health services nationwide, she founded Steadfast Women in Ministry, Inc. (S.W.I.M.), a nonprofit organization committed to empowering women, removing financial barriers to therapy for marginalized communities, and equipping faith institutions with tools to dismantle stigma. Through S.W.I.M., she champions the integration of faith and wellness while helping to build sustainable, faith-affirming systems of care.

Deeply grateful and continually in awe of God’s faithfulness,

Dr. Murray-Cruse remains steadfast in stewarding every gift entrusted to her, committed to advancing the divine purpose upon her life and the lives of those she serves.