Brian Cress serves as the West Coast Director of Development for International Justice Mission. IJM is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local governments to ensure victim rescue, to prosecute perpetrators and to strengthen the community and civic factors that promote functioning public justice systems.

Mr. Cress joined IJM in June of 2007. In his role as the West Coast Director of Development, Mr. Cress partners with IJM donors living on the West Coast, educating people about the work of IJM and providing opportunities for engagement in the work of justice. He frequently travels within the region to speak at churches and to other groups to share about justice work and IJM’s mission.

Prior to joining IJM, Mr. Cress served on the pastoral team of Westminster Chapel, a 3,000-member church in Bellevue, Washington, for 27 years. Most recently, he served as Executive Pastor. His responsibilities included leading and managing a 35-member staff team, overseeing the construction of a $22 million addition to Westminster’s facilities and serving as part of the preaching team. Prior to serving as Executive Pastor, Mr. Cress also served as the Family Ministry Pastor and was Pastor of Student Ministries for 20 years.

Mr. Cress has spoken at youth camps, retreats and at youth missions events in Mexico, Peru and Africa. He has led many student and family missions trips to Mexico and helped to establish a thriving church in Mexicali, Mexico. Mr. Cress received a B.S. in Christian Education from Biola University in Southern California.

Brian and his wife Lori, who serves as an IJM Justice Advocate volunteer, live in Bellevue, Washington, and have three children.