The Rev. Rosemary C. Mitchell, a Presbyterian teaching elder and certified fund-raising executive (CFRE), who joined the Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA) staff as a mission engagement advisor in January 2014, has been promoted to interim senior director for Funds Development effective March 7. 

In her new role, Mitchell will provide strategic and operational direction and leadership for the PMA’s funds development ministry while continuing to build financial support among individuals, congregations, and mid councils for the Compassion, Peace and Justice (CPJ) ministry area. 

“It is a privilege to serve our church in this capacity, overseeing a wonderful team of people who are deeply committed to mission,” said Mitchell. “We all see the ministry of funds development as mission driven and intended to build up the body of Christ.” 

In her previous position as mission engagement advisor for the PMA’s Office of Public Witness in Washington, DC, and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations in New York City, Mitchell was instrumental in initiating the Pillars of the Church program in support of the ministries of CPJ. Because of its success in generating support for those two offices, the new fund-raising initiative—which will publicly acknowledge all of its donors at the upcoming   Compassion, Peace and Justice Training Day/Ecumenical Advocacy Days, April 15–18, 2016, in Washington, DC, and at the 222nd General Assembly (2016) in Portland, Oregon—will now expand to all of the PMA’s ministries. 

Prior to joining the PMA, 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, N.Y. She was also the founding executive director of the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley in Rochester. 

Mitchell, who has spoken at and led workshops on stewardship and philanthropy at the North American Conference on Christian Philanthropy and the Northeast Ecumenical Stewardship Council Conference as well as for such groups as the Association of Fundraising Professionals, has a wide variety of media experience. She has hosted and produced a weekly radio program, contributed to a network television special, and co-authored two books, Birthings and Blessings (Vol. 1 and 2), published by Crossroads Press, N.Y., and Grace and Gratitude, a companion stewardship workbook to How Much is Enough? by Pamela Klainer, published by Basic Books.

 “As we inspire, equip, and connect Presbyterians to embrace faithful financial giving as an act of Christian discipleship, we are deeply blessed to have a leader with Rosemary’s track record continuing to serve the Presbyterian Mission Agency,” said Tony De La Rosa, interim executive director for the PMA. “Her experience and expertise in stewardship and stewardship education in the church are a gift to the PC(USA).” 

Mitchell—who will serve Presbyterians across the country from her home base in Trenton, N.J. —is a native of Endicott, N.Y.. She received her B.A. from the State University of New York at Cortland and her M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary. She is a certified fund-raising executive, a credential conferred by CFRE International. 

“I look forward to expanding upon my current service to the Presbyterian Mission Agency, standing firm in the knowledge that all of stewardship is rooted in thanksgiving and that generosity is born of gratitude,” said Mitchell.