Breaking: Rev. Jennifer Sowell elected to serve as Associate General Minister of the United Church of Christ

The Rev. Jennifer Sowell, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ with more than two decades of pastoral leadership experience, was elected to serve an unexpired term as the next Associate General Minister (AGM), Love of Church on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at a special meeting of General Synod 35, which officially ends a several year process that began at the end of 2023. Sowell’s election is a historic one, marking the first time in the denomination’s nearly 70-year history that leadership of the church is all women. 

The search committee for the AGM role was relaunched right after the conclusion of General Synod 35, when the original search committee, which began its work in August 2024 came up short in identifying a candidate. The search committee unanimously voted to choose Sowell as their nominee. The United Church of Christ Board, at a special meeting on January 12, 2026, voted to nominate her for election by the General Synod. The Special Meeting of Synod was the last step in that process. Sowell was elected with 87 percent of the vote, exceeding the 60 percent needed for election.

Sowell currently serves as the senior pastor at St. John United Church of Christ in Collinsville, IL, which is a 500 member Open and Affirming congregation where she has led strategic planning initiatives, expanded children and family ministries, strengthened staff structures, shepherded the church through pandemic recovery, and expanded digital worship access.

A full story, including remarks from General Minister and President/CEO, the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, Sowell, and the Rev. Cean James, chair of the search committee that identified Sowell for election, in Tuesday’s edition of the News Digest. 

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