Brian Cress

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 as the West Coast Director of Development, and in March of 2012 became the Director of Student Mobilization, Youth. Mr. Cress partners with Middle School and High School church youth groups, Christian and public schools and universities, to educate students about the work of IJM and provide opportunities for engagement in the work of justice. He frequently travels across the country to speak at youth groups, school assemblies, chapels, youth conferences and to other groups to share about IJM's mission and the growing justice movement.

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. He served as Pastor of Student Ministries for 20 years, leading a Network of 25 youth pastors in reaching students in the Bellevue Washington region. Mr. Cress has spoken at youth camps, retreats and at youth missions' events in Mexico, Peru and Africa. He has led students and family missions' trips to Mexico for 17 years and helped to establish a thriving church in Mexicali Mexico, and a retreat center and school in Ensenada Mexico. Most recently, he served as Executive Pastor where his responsibilities included leading and managing a 35-member staff team and serving as part of the preaching team.

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 grown children.