Rev. Shari Prestemon nominated to serve as UCC’s Associate General Minister and Co-Executive, Global Ministries for Love of Neighbor Ministries

Re-entering the room at the March 2025 UCC Board Meeting in Cleveland to a standing ovation, smiles, and immense joy, the Rev. Shari Prestemon, current Acting Associate General Minister and Co-executive of Global Ministries was nominated by the Board to serve a full-term.

“It was a deeply humbling experience knowing that General Synod will now be asked to entrust me with this sacred ministry. That is an overwhelming thing to contemplate,” Prestemon said.

The Board voted unanimously on March 7 to nominate Prestemon, who has been leading the Love of Neighbor Ministries, a ministry she’s guided for the last 13 months as its interim executive. The final step is confirmation of her candidacy by the 35th General Synod, July 11-15 in Kansas City, where she’ll need a 60% majority of the more than 700 voting delegates.

A search committee, chaired by Joyce Bathke, began their work in September 2024 when a review of responsibilities and confidentiality were conducted. At the October 2024 board meeting, committee members were asked to submit two questions they wanted to ask all applicants, as well as asking each candidate to submit a writing sample around agreed-upon scenarios.

Seven applications were received, and after initial screenings, the committee moved forward with two candidates. It became clear in early 2025 that Prestemon was the right candidate, and the committee affirmed her as their choice.

“She has a passion and understanding for the work needed to be done as the Love of Neighbor Associate General Minister,” Bathke said in her written report to the board. “She has developed strong relationships with our partners in Global Ministries, within staff of each of the program areas she supervises, and she is respected as a leader.”

Julia Gaughan, current Board chair, said she was excited when Prestemon was called to serve as acting Associate General Minister, and that Prestemon has a deep passion for this work.

“Rev. Prestemon’s strategic and even-keeled presence provides just what we need as we work with our partners from around the world to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable,” Gaughan said. “I am very hopeful that Rev. Prestemon’s continued work will help seed hope even in the midst of so much strife.”

Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, General Minister and President of the UCC said Prestemon’s call to serve as AGM will bring “leadership that understands the importance of the mission in the life of the church.”

“[Prestemon’s] call means that the General Synod will receive a candidate who loves the church and is committed to the collaborative possibilities of partnership for our ministries locally, nationally and globally,” Thompson said.

Prestemon began her service as Acting Associate General Minister on Jan. 16, 2024, after 10 years as the conference minister for the Minnesota Conference. She also served as executive director at the UCC’s Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi (2000-2013), and as pastor to local UCC congregations in Wheaton, Illinois, and Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

She received her bachelor’s degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and her Master of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary. She has served on multiple boards of directors in the wider UCC, including on the UCCB and as chair of the Board of Trustees of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, to name a few.

Prestemon hopes the UCC will meet the times we’re in with “faithfulness, dedication to service, and passion for justice and peace” that are core to what the UCC believes.

“[We need] to respond meaningfully to the needs of our neighbors far and wide, advocating for a just world for all, engaging in authentic partnerships across the globe, and allowing their wisdom to transform us,” Prestemon said. “There’s a lot that feels overwhelming and dispiriting right now, I know, but I believe God is calling us to dig deep and keeping showing up faithfully and joyfully.”

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