Meet Dr. Kim KJ Murray Cruse
Dr. Cruse is a faith community leader, mental health advocate, 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, from New York Theological Seminary, where she was honored with the prestigious Keith A. Russell Preacher of the Year Award. She later earned her Doctorate from Virginia Union University with a concentration in Community Health and Sustainability.
As a theologian, Dr. Cruse uses her platform to promote sustainable spiritual growth and mental wellness by addressing real-life challenges—such as depression, social injustice, domestic violence, addiction, suicide prevention, conflict resolution, and financial literacy, through the lens of faith. She ministers weekly at Grace Baptist Church, where Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson is the senior pastor.
Dr. 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: First Edition, created to serve the mental health needs of the interfaith community in the New York area.
To broaden the impact of faith-affirming mental health services across the country, Dr. Cruse founded Steadfast Women in Ministry, Inc. (S.W.I.M.), a nonprofit organization committed to empowering women, removing financial barriers to therapy for underserved people, and providing destigmatization training within faith communities. S.W.I.M. champions the integration of faith and wellness while building faith affirming systems of care.
Deeply grateful and continually in awe of God’s faithfulness, Dr. Cruse remains committed to using every gift entrusted to her to fulfill the divine purpose on her life.
"Answering the Call with KJ, LLC is designed to follow my response to God's call through preaching, teaching, writing, public speaking, faith inspired clothing, mental health advocacy and anything else God lays on my heart to do. I pray you're inspired to answer God's call and purpose for your life." ~ Dr. KJ
To Book Dr. KJ
Dr. KJ brings a wealth of public speaking experience, having delivered impactful messages across a diverse range of platforms—including churches of various denominations, corporations, universities, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations.
Her speaking engagements have included notable institutions such as Columbia University, The Links, Incorporated, CNBC, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, and Sister to Sister International, Inc., among others.
Thank you for considering Dr. KJ as a speaker for your upcoming event. To help us better understand your needs and create a meaningful experience, please take a moment to complete the speaking engagement interest form linked below.