The Rev. Jihyun Oh named leader of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s interim unified organization

The Rev. Jihyun Oh

The Unification Commission has announced that the Rev. Jihyun Oh has been named as Executive Director and Stated Clerk of the General Assembly for the interim unified agency. Oh, who was elected Stated Clerk at the 226th General Assembly (2024) of the PC(USA) last summer, begins her new role immediately. The commission’s unanimous vote Thursday means that the staff of both the Office of the General Assembly and Presbyterian Mission Agency report to Oh and that the role of PMA President and Executive Director has been phased out. 

“This is a major step toward unification of these two agencies and we are excited about the journey ahead,” said the Rev. Dr. Felipe Martínez, co-moderator of the commission. “Jihyun has brought a tremendous spirit and deep commitment in her role as Stated Clerk and her many years as Director of Mid Council Ministries. We are confident that she will build a strong leadership infrastructure that will guide this new unified body as it seeks to follow God’s will for the church.”

The Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett has served as PMA’s President and Executive Director since 2018. 

“The commission offers thanks to God for the faithful leadership of Diane Moffett and for the impact of her ministry,” said Cristi Scott Ligon, co-moderator of the commission. “We ask for your prayers as Diane moves into this next chapter of her journey, and we will continue to carry forward the mission she so faithfully advanced.” Moffett’s final day will be October 31, 2024.

The Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett

Both Ligon and Martínez say they are looking forward to working with Oh and the leadership team as the work continues to bring the two agencies together. 

The Rev. Tony Larson, Co-Moderator of the 226th General Assembly (2024), offered congratulations to Oh on today’s decision.

“I am grateful for the Unification Commission’s work in their discernment of Jihyun as the person called to lead the new organization during this time of transition. I ask others to join me in uplifting Jihyun in prayer as she begins this work. In my first months as co-moderator, I have seen Jihyun’s energy and dedication in action as our paths have overlapped, connecting with presbyteries and churches. I am hopeful that her expertise in intercultural dynamics will help the unification process,” said Larson. “I also express my deepest thanks to God for Diane Moffett and her many years of faithful ministry with the church. I especially give thanks for the way she has breathed life into the Matthew 25 initiative. Because of her vision and dedication, congregations and presbyteries are strengthening their call to ministry vitality and systemic social justice.” 

Oh says she is grateful for the trust that has been placed in her in this new role with the PC(USA). 

“I am both honored and humbled by the Unification Commission’s vote. This is both a challenging and exciting time in the life of the PC(USA) and I will work closely with the commission to lead our unified organization through this season of transition,” Oh said. “I also want to offer my thanks to Diane Moffett for her incredible energy and contributions to the Presbyterian Mission Agency. She has brought life and vitality to our ministries.”

Rev. Dr. Felipe Martínez

Cristi Scott Ligon

The commission’s decision comes just weeks after it voted to sunset both the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA) and the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board (PMAB) on December 31 and assume the work of both governing bodies on that date. 

The Unification Commission was established by the 225th General Assembly (2022) to oversee and facilitate the unification of the Office of the General Assembly and the Presbyterian Mission Agency into a single agency, revise the Organization for Mission to reflect this change, and work to align the entities, boards, committees, and constituent bodies of the General Assembly toward long-term faithfulness and financial sustainability of its mission within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).