Rev. Ken Hamilton, SVD, Ph.D.

Kenneth Lewis Crowe-Hamilton joined the Society of the Divine Word in Epworth, IA and also earned a Ph.D. in History of Religions and Cultures with an emphasis on AIDS and Africa.  Hamilton is currently pastor of St. Columba Catholic Church in Oakland, CA but his service to Blacks as a Divine Word Missionary has taken him to many diverse places, including Chicago; New Iberia, LA; New Orleans, Atlanta; Indianapolis, and Bay St. Louis, MS.  

In 1993, Hamilton and two other SVD priests (Frs. Charles and Chester Smith) founded the Bowman-Francis Ministry team, in honor of three memorable Black Catholics: Fr. John Bowman, SVD; Bishop Joseph Francis, SVD; and Sr. Thea Bowman.  They seek to evangelize African American young adults and youth through preaching, teaching, Rites of Passage, Ambassadors of the Word (AOW) youth programs, Black Catholic Men’s Conference, Khrist-Kwanzaa and other Afri-centric ministries.  They have seven chapters of the AOW youth program in the U.S. and in the British Virgin islands. About 700 youth have experienced their Rites of Passage program and the also now have a young adult retreat program.

The devoted ministry by Hamilton and the Smiths to young Black males – particularly those on the margins of society – is inspiring.  Many NBCCC members have eagerly attended or supported their efforts.