LEADERSHIP
Allison Arsenault
Forum for Theological Education
Atlanta, GA
Rob Ater
Immanuel Presbyterian Church
Milwaukee, WI
Jana Blazek
Chicago Presbytery
Chicago, IL
Karen Fitz La Barge
North Kent Presbyterian Church
Rockford, MI
Wilson Kennedy
Cherokee Presbytery
Cartersville, GA
Shanea Leonard
Presbyterian Mission Agency
Louisville, KY
Jessie Lowry
Christ Our Anchor Presbyterian Church
Annapolis, MD
Andrew Plocher
Messiah Lutheran Church
Marquette, MI
Jennifer Thomson
Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church
Mechanicsburg, PA
Angela Tyler-Williams
SACReD
(Spiritual Alliance of Communities for Reproductive Dignity)
Washington DC
Joshua Young
Clear Lake Presbyterian Church
Houston, TX
** Rev. Stephen Smith-Cobbs, Trinity Presbyterian (Herndon, VA), Ex-Officio Member per incorporation requirements
OPERATIONS TEAM
Susan Thornton
Team Chair
Los Ranchos Presbytery
Mission Viejo, CA
Shani McIlwain*
Faith Presbyterian Church
Washington DC
John Wilkinson
Ministry Engagement and Support, PC(USA)
Louisville, KY/Rochester, NY
*Corresponding Member to Vision Team
STAFF
Larissa Kwong Abazia
Designated Strategic Director
Jen James
Program and Operations Director
LeAnn Hodges
Preaching for Change Coordinator
How is NEXT Church leadership structured?
We believe a leadership structure should be agile and meet the current needs of the organization. In this season, NEXT Church Leadership is structured in four areas.
- The VISION TEAM sets the vision and model, serves as the organizational board, is responsible for development along with staff, and are the primary relationship builders.
- The OPERATIONS TEAM helps to provide financial oversight and accountability, serves as the primary HR body, and supports the logistics of the organization.
- ALUMNI are comprised of former board members, supporters, and staff. They are our biggest boosters and mission cheerleaders.
- STAFF provide the day to day support for vision, operations, programming, and logistics.
