Rosemary C. Mitchell Named Senior Director for Mission Engagement and Support

Fund-raising professional recognized for interim leadership

by Melody K. Smith | Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE – The Rev. Rosemary C. Mitchell has been named the new senior director of a re-envisioned and renamed ministry—Mission Engagement and Support.

Mitchell, a Presbyterian teaching elder and certified fund-raising executive, has been with the Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA) for nearly three years. She began serving as interim senior director for Funds Development earlier this year.

In her new role, Mitchell will continue to provide strategic and operational direction and leadership for the Mission Agency’s funds development efforts, including providing congregations with resources to enhance their engagement with Presbyterian mission, building financial support and enhancing relationships with mid councils, congregations and individuals.

“The breadth and depth of Presbyterian Mission is amazing! I am so grateful for the mid council staff and pastors I have the privilege of meeting with to see and hear about their important and creative mission,” said Mitchell. “My work is to strengthen their ministries and see how we can work together to move forward. We are deepening engagement and taking seriously the call to love our neighbor as ourselves.”

Prior to joining the Mission Agency, Mitchell served as vice president for Seminary Relations at Princeton Theological Seminary. Before working at Princeton, Mitchell—who was ordained by Susquehanna Valley Presbytery—served two congregations, New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC, and Downtown United Presbyterian Church in Rochester, New York. She was also the founding executive director of the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley in Rochester. Mitchell received her B.A. from the State University of New York at Cortland and her M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary.

“We were seeking a servant leader who brought both passion and conviction to this position,” said Tony De La Rosa, interim executive director for the PMA. “We didn’t have to look far. Rosemary brings tremendous energy as she shares her talents and gifts with us.”

Mitchell is currently serving the church from her home base in Trenton, New Jersey, but plans to relocate to the PC(USA) national headquarters in Louisville.