KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 5/21/25)—The Region Board of Mission Northwest joyfully announces the calling of Rev. Corey Laughary as the next Executive Minister of Mission Northwest. Following a year-long, Spirit-led discernment process, the board unanimously confirmed Rev. Laughary’s call during its regular meeting on May 13, 2025. He will officially begin serving in this new role on September 2, 2025.

“I am grateful for the Executive Minister Search Team’s prayerful dedication to finding the new Executive Minister of Mission Northwest. Rev. Laughary will continue his faithful service to the local church, evangelism and the well-being of our clergy, churches and the community as he embraces his new role. We are joyful with Mission Northwest and look forward to working together,” said Rev. Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain, General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA.

The Executive Minister Search Team, composed of leaders from across the region, dedicated themselves to prayerful and careful discernment over the past year. The team considered candidates from both within and beyond the region before presenting Rev. Laughary to the board.

The region shared, “We are grateful to the members of the executive minister search team for their faithful service during this past year: Rev. Dr. Worth Wilson (chair), Rev. Dr. Jeff Flint, Janet Jessup, Pastor Jeff Cole, Dena Meyers, Ginny Mahn, Andrew Adams, Rev. Ross Lieuallen, Rev. Dylan McElreath.”

A Service of Celebration is planned to officially welcome and affirm Rev. Laughary during Mission Northwest’s annual Leadership Tune-Up, to be held September 22–24, 2025, at Ross Point Camp and Conference Center in Post Falls, Idaho.

Rev. Laughary has faithfully served as pastor of Palouse Federated Church in Palouse, Washington, since 2004. Throughout his two decades of ministry, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to church renewal, evangelism, preaching, coaching, and mental health advocacy. He is a graduate of Palmer Theological Seminary (Master of Theological Studies) and Whitworth University (Bachelor of Arts), and he served as a mentor pastor in Mission Northwest for more than ten years.

In addition to his pastoral leadership, Rev. Laughary is an active and engaged member of his local community, volunteering with the local EMS, driving a school bus, and coaching cross country and track. He and his wife, Tina, are the proud parents of three children.

This announcement represents a significant moment not only for Mission Northwest, but for the wider American Baptist Churches USA family, as regional and national partners continue to work together in shared mission and ministry.

As Rev. Laughary steps into this new season of leadership, American Baptist Churches USA celebrates with Mission Northwest and lifts up prayers of gratitude and hope for the Holy Spirit’s continued guidance and blessing.

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.