The Rev. Jennifer Sowell was elected on May 9 to serve as Associate General Minister, Love of Church, for the United Church of Christ at a special meeting of General Synod 35. Her election concludes a process that began in late 2023 and marks the first time in nearly seventy years that all top leaders in the denomination are women.
This development is significant for the United Church of Christ, as it represents a historic milestone in its leadership structure. The election followed an extensive search process that resumed after the original committee could not identify a candidate in August 2024. The search committee unanimously selected Sowell as their nominee, and she received 87 percent approval from voting members at Synod, surpassing the required threshold.
Sowell currently serves as senior pastor at St. John United Church of Christ in Collinsville, Illinois. There she has led strategic planning initiatives, expanded ministries for children and families, improved staff structures, guided pandemic recovery efforts, and increased digital worship access.
Saint John United Church of Christ functions as a congregation associated with the United Church of Christ denomination and provides worship and community services under UCC tradition; it is based at 536 E. Corning Road in Beecher, Illinois, according to the official website.
A full story including remarks from General Minister and President/CEO Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson; Sowell; and Rev. Cean James—chair of the search committee—will appear in Tuesday’s edition of News Digest.
