We are pleased to introduce MPPC’S Directional Leader Reverend Dr. Alan T. "Blues" Baker
After a rigorous and prayer-led search for an executive leader at MPPC, we are pleased to share with you the outcome of what has been a joy-filled, Holy Spirit-guided journey. Dr. Alan T. Baker (who plays the harmonica and is also known as “Blues”) has joined MPPC as Directional Leader, effective June 1, 2010.
The Journey
Over the past several months, we learned a lot about leadership and the local church as we looked at how other churches similar to MPPC are moving into the future. Many thriving churches have a senior pastor and a senior leader working as partners to lead the church community in their areas of giftedness. Together they cast the vision and strategy for the church, and bring plans to fruition in their areas of strength.
Leading our search was a group of MPPC members from across our church: Leader Lisa Carhart, Ron Johnson, Larry Langdon, Dell Larcen, Teri O’Neel, and Tess Reynolds. With broad and deep experience in executive management and leadership searches, the team members are also active in our church and community and committed to a process bathed in prayer and submission to God’s leading. Their work included understanding our leadership needs by extensive background reading and interviews. They studied best practices at other churches and used their networking contacts to find candidates.
We did our best within our own capabilities, but in the end it is God who is at work and it is God who led us to such an extraordinary person as Blues Baker. While his outstanding accomplishments are evident, it is Blues’ heart for people, formed through his own life experiences, that drew us most to him. – Lisa Carhart.
About Blues Baker
With extensive experience at the federal executive level leading large organizations, Dr. Baker’s Navy career culminated in his appointment to Rear Admiral and assignment as the 16th Chaplain of the U.S. Marine Corps. For more than 20 years, he has led initiatives for change in education, ministry, and senior management within the federal government. His most recent leadership role included strategic planning, organizational development, operations management, resource allocation and leadership training, managed through a staff of 600 operating globally.
Blues grew up in Santa Ana, California. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, earned a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller T
heological Seminary, and was ordained by the Reformed Church in America. He also holds a Doctorate of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Blues has been married for thirty years to his wife, Marla, and they recently returned to California after living in Washington, DC. They have two grown daughters: Hannah is a college student in Manhattan and Rebekah is married to Jason Wallin and lives in Pennsylvania. They also have a loyal Schipperke dog, Andre. In Blues’ free time, he enjoys travel, fishing, bicycling and playing the harmonica.
Career Highlights
Awarded the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4), Coast Guard Commendation Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), Coast Guard Commandant Letter of Commendation, and the Humanitarian Service Medal.
The pastoral needs of the wounded, those needing to readjust to life outside of the combat zone, and their families were all priorities. The extent to which the chaplaincy was able to provide exceptional religious support remains one of the untold stories of our nation’s engagement in the War on Terror and is the direct result of the men and women who served and their commander, RDML Baker. – Hon. Donald C. Winter, 74th Secretary of the Navy
About Leadership at MPPC
Blues Baker and John Ortberg are leading the MPPC community in partnership, both reporting to the elders. This new role of Directional Leader will greatly contribute to our work to fulfill God’s call on MPPC. Many details will be worked out as Blues joins our team and helps us move into the future. We look forward to you meeting Blues and in the meantime, thank the search team, ask for your prayers for the Bakers and our church, and look forward with anticipation to every adventure God has in store for us.
More on Blues Baker
"Faith and Fear on the Truman," Christianity Today, April 2003
"Clarify, Semper Fi," Leadership Journal.net, February 2003
"Santa Ana native to become Chaplain of the Marine Corps," Orange County Register, April 18, 2006
"Religious Accomodation and Moral Development at the Naval Academy," Shipmate, May 2006
"Chaplain Promotion Opens New Doors," Reformed Church in America News, July 4, 2006
Meet Blues Interview from MPPC on Vimeo.