Randall J. Craker was born to G. Donald & Lydia Craker in Pullman, Washington, where his dad was pastoring the Church of the Nazarene.  Following his High School years in Zillah, Washington, he enrolled as a Philosophy/Religion major at Northwest Nazarene University, graduating in 1973.  During his years at NNU he served in Student Government and as editor of the student newspaper, The Crusader.  In the fall of 1973 he married Robinette Powell, whom he met at NNU.

Following college graduation he spent 15 months in Longmont, Colorado, as a youth pastor.  Then it was on to Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri.  While attending seminary he was editor of the newspaper, The Seminarian and also wrote for the denomination’s youth publication, Bread Magazine.  Craker graduated from Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree in 1978.  From there he moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, where he pastored for five years.  In 1983 the family moved to Leavenworth, Washington, to pastor the Nazarene Church.  Kirkland, Washington was the next stop on his pastoral journey, where he spent 16 years.  In 2004, Dr. Craker was appointed the District Superintendent of the Northwest District.  Randy and Robbie make their home in Spokane, Washington.