Rev. DiOnetta Jones Crayton
Rev. DiOnetta Jones Crayton grew up in a God-fearing home in a very small town called DeRidder (pronounced Dee-rid-der), Louisiana. She is the third of eight children born to the late Mrs. Louella Jones Joseph. Although she is clearly embracing her New England lifestyle, and has lived in several other states and even the territory of Guam, she still considers herself a Southern girl at heart…
In January 2004, Rev. Crayton accepted the Lord’s call to the ministry; and on April 25, 2004, she preached her first sermon. She was licensed and became the first female minister in the history of the Pilgrim Baptist Church in South Bend, IN. In fact, April 2025 marked her 21st Anniversary in the ministry. Rev. Crayton has been in Boston (and at Morning Star Baptist Church) since 2009. She moved to New England (from Ithaca, NY) to take a position at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); where she served as the Associate Dean and Director of the Office of Minority Education for over 14 years. She retired from MIT in February 2024 and has since completed a second Masters (in Christian Ministry), and in Spring 2025, she started a Doctor of Ministry program (in Pastoral Theology in Practice) at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Hamilton, MA. At Morning Star Baptist Church (MSBC), Rev. Crayton has been a faithful servant. In fact, she was blessed to be ordained at MSBC on Nov. 9, 2025. However, she has always been fruitful. She helped develop, implement, and served as the servant leader for the Ambassadors (New Members) Ministry for several years. She chaired the MSBC Nominating Committee for three years, she is the servant leader for the Missions Department, and has been a member of the ministerial staff since joining MSBC.
Rev. Crayton has a heart for women. She has participated in workshops and served as a keynote speaker for Women’s Conferences and Retreats, and she also founded a Sunday School class for women at Morning Star called WISE (Women in Search of Excellence) which she now teaches in collaboration with other women leaders. The class will celebrated its 10th Anniversary in November 2025, and ~200 women have attended the class since its inception in 2015. Rev. DiOnetta is also a loving wife. On June 21, 2013, she married a long-time member of MSBC, and a wonderful man of God, in the person of Bro. Tracy Neal Crayton. God continues to bless their union as they grow together in the Grace of God. Rev. Crayton considers herself blessed to be able to honor God as a servant, preacher, and teacher. She remains a willing vessel and loves the Lord with all her heart. Her entire life, with all its many hills and valleys, is a testimony to the goodness of God! She is called to serve for such a time as this…
In January 2004, Rev. Crayton accepted the Lord’s call to the ministry; and on April 25, 2004, she preached her first sermon. She was licensed and became the first female minister in the history of the Pilgrim Baptist Church in South Bend, IN. In fact, April 2025 marked her 21st Anniversary in the ministry. Rev. Crayton has been in Boston (and at Morning Star Baptist Church) since 2009. She moved to New England (from Ithaca, NY) to take a position at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); where she served as the Associate Dean and Director of the Office of Minority Education for over 14 years. She retired from MIT in February 2024 and has since completed a second Masters (in Christian Ministry), and in Spring 2025, she started a Doctor of Ministry program (in Pastoral Theology in Practice) at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Hamilton, MA. At Morning Star Baptist Church (MSBC), Rev. Crayton has been a faithful servant. In fact, she was blessed to be ordained at MSBC on Nov. 9, 2025. However, she has always been fruitful. She helped develop, implement, and served as the servant leader for the Ambassadors (New Members) Ministry for several years. She chaired the MSBC Nominating Committee for three years, she is the servant leader for the Missions Department, and has been a member of the ministerial staff since joining MSBC.
Rev. Crayton has a heart for women. She has participated in workshops and served as a keynote speaker for Women’s Conferences and Retreats, and she also founded a Sunday School class for women at Morning Star called WISE (Women in Search of Excellence) which she now teaches in collaboration with other women leaders. The class will celebrated its 10th Anniversary in November 2025, and ~200 women have attended the class since its inception in 2015. Rev. DiOnetta is also a loving wife. On June 21, 2013, she married a long-time member of MSBC, and a wonderful man of God, in the person of Bro. Tracy Neal Crayton. God continues to bless their union as they grow together in the Grace of God. Rev. Crayton considers herself blessed to be able to honor God as a servant, preacher, and teacher. She remains a willing vessel and loves the Lord with all her heart. Her entire life, with all its many hills and valleys, is a testimony to the goodness of God! She is called to serve for such a time as this…