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The Rev. Jihyun Oh is announcing an interim leadership team for the Interim Unified Agency that features people already holding senior leadership positions as well as three leaders experienced in key ministries of the IUA.
Oh, the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Executive Director of the IUA, announces this interim leadership team which is effective as of March 3, 2025:
- Barry Creech, Deputy Executive Director
- The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, Mission Director
- Sara Lisherness, Consultant for Global Partnerships
- Kerry Rice, Deputy Stated Clerk
- Dr. Corey Schlosser-Hall, Deputy Executive Director
- The Rev. Mienda Uriarte, Interim Deputy Executive Director
- Dr. Dianna Wright, Mission Director
“In considering who and how to bring a senior leadership team together, I was cognizant of the interim nature of this season in the life of our organization. It was important to bring folks from both the former PMA [Presbyterian Mission Agency] and the former OGA [Office of the General Assembly] into the team as we continue to take steps in our unifying journey,” said Oh. “It was also important to bring folks with different perspectives and competencies that would create a team with broad knowledge of the internal workings of the organization and our external relationships and witness.”
Under the new alignment, Creech will administer Theology, Formation & Evangelism; the Jinishian Memorial Program; the Young Adult Volunteer program; Presbyterian Historical Society; and grant administration, including the Mission Development Resources Committee.
Hawkins leads the IUA’s advocacy ministries through the Office of Public Witness and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations.
Rice will be tasked with overseeing the Office of the Stated Clerk and Executive Director, Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations, Mid Council Ministries, the Office of Public Witness, and “Committee Corner,” the advisory and advocacy committees of the General Assembly.
Schlosser-Hall will supervise the Center for the Repair of Historic Harms, the Office of Innovation, Communications, and Stony Point Center, as well as serve as liaison to the Unification Management Office.
Uriarte, who had served as director of World Mission, will continue to be responsible for global partnerships and will add two ministries to that portfolio: Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries and Compassion, Peace & Justice.
Wright directs Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations and brings that perspective and vision to the Interim Leadership Team.
Lisherness, who has announced her retirement at the end of April after 33 years of service, will continue on this team until her service concludes. Her new title is Consultant for Global Partnerships.
By Rick Jones and Mike Ferguson, Presbyterian News Service
