Support Evan's Christian Ethics Postgraduate Studies

Three experiences formed my professional skillset: a personality that craves context, growing up in an intellectual household (my dad as a scientist, mom as a dietician), and my faith as a Christian. The combination resulted in a passion for restorative problem framing - why should we bother with solving problems, what are the right problems to solve, and what is an ethical approach to solving that problem founded in the joy and flourishing that only God provides?

I'm going through a professional reset. I was at a pivotal point of my career in which I could no longer simply take responsibility for the teams executing the work, but as I was up for promotion to Associate Partner, I had to choose what type of work I wanted to specialize in and sell. I was pressed to come up with some sort of expertise like (only partially making this up) "advanced air mobility MES systems strategy & implementation for companies without an existing roadmap for digital twin capability." God bless those that do this! But *yawn* ... I found myself far more interested in preaching the Word and hanging out with entrepreneurs than doing my day job. (Emphasis - knowing God through his Word and sharing the meaning with others is lifegiving to me!)

Then came along Oxford and everything changed ... I discovered my passions fall neatly into the domain of Christian Ethics. Enter a new vision for an integrated life for which I am so excited! Lord willing, I will split my time for the next 4-5 years between Oxford and Indianapolis.

Oxford’s term structure enables me to spend significant time in both places, allowing possibly three to five weeks in Indiana quarterly, plus summers. My academic path is first the PGDip (like an accelerated MDiv), then an MPhil, and finally a DPhil in Christian Ethics – about four to five years.

Additionally, my pursuit of a PhD in Christian Ethics is compatible and maximizes the way I already serve people: to strategically infuse good purposes into great organizations and leaders. I'm viewing life in Indy/Oxford as integrated, and Oxford is equally a part of my work (even though I happen to be paying to work rather than earning from it). Accordingly, I will also work to generate sustainable income to cover expenses and tuition.

Finally, I see the combination as a platform for me to express my gifting as God gave to benefit others in a variety of new and better ways. Oxford is a global hub for Christian Ethics, with world-class practitioners from politics, finance, business, church, music, and more regularly gathering – surprisingly often residing – in Oxford. As I advance in my studies, the benefits for my own practice as a leader and how I serve others will exponentially grow as my network expands, I learn more of God’s Word, and my knowledge of my vocation deepens. Accordingly, I am supplementing income through this GoFundMe or Venmo (preferred) to cover tuition and ensure this life is sustainable, and Lord willing, a tax-deductible option may soon be available. Lord willing, I will eventually phase out of raising support through sustainable income.

With only a little amount of time remaining before I leave for Oxford in October, it seems there are an overwhelming number of question marks, the most pressing of which is sustainable cash flow. I am hopeful that in 6 months I will look back on this moment grateful the means and activities have materialized, and I will be in a new and stable rhythm of serving people through the gifts that God gave me. Please pray that God would confirm, provide, and strengthen me through this period of unknowns. I would be grateful if you would consider meeting with me to discuss if there is an alignment in our life purposes and resources, whether financial, community, professional, etc., to help me transition into this new phase of life until I am self-sufficient.

Best,

Evan Crain

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Brief professional profile: I was most recently a senior consulting leader at Deloitte. I also have held roles at SpaceX and Dow Chemical. I have two master’s degrees in management from HEC Paris and Yale University. My experience is in organizational leadership, strategy, private equity, transformation, and startup/entrepreneurship. I've also forayed into national security policy and worked extensively with not-for-profits. What I enjoy most is reading, writing, teaching, thinking, leading, hospitality, music and the arts, and cooking. And, most importantly, framing meaningful ideas and approaches for people in leadership roles to restore that which is broken in Christ’s name.