We share with great sadness the passing of our beloved colleague and friend, Jeff Corey, who served as the Senior Executive Director of Communications at Church and Society. He died on June 13, 2026.
Corey came to Church and Society in December 2021 as Director of Communications, bringing decades of experience in the field, and calling his role at GBCS the “best job I’ve ever had.”
“Jeff’s attention to advancing the cause of justice and inclusion went beyond his required responsibilities. He sought to advance the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church, never forgetting that our messaging could bring hope and inspire action that would uplift people we may never see,“ said General Secretary Bishop Julius C. Trimble.
Rev. Allison Mark, Church and Society’s board president, said, “I had the privilege of working closely with Jeff. He was always quick to respond, thoughtful in every interaction, and such a gracious partner in telling the stories of our ministry. I especially remember working with him on interviews and videos celebrating our 100th anniversary building project. He had a way of making the work feel joyful because he believed so deeply in the people behind the story.”
His strategic work, built around a well-rounded communications mix spanning digital, social, print, video and news media, helped to amplify Church and Society’s mission to educate and advocate for social justice and earned recognition across the broader UMC connection.
Justice work often demands quick action, but Corey was vigilant about not letting urgency drown out long-term impact. He encouraged staff to think strategically about how individual initiatives could contribute to broader organizational goals.
As Church and Society entered a new chapter under General Secretary Bishop Julius C. Trimble in September 2024, Corey played a key role in bringing the Justice Takes Courage podcast and article series to fruition—a vision Bishop Trimble had proposed before joining the agency. Jeff produced and provided strategic direction for Justice Takes Courage, which explores national and international social witness issues and actions in response to today’s most pressing social concerns.
As an editor, Corey gave his full attention to every voice he worked with, from staff to outside contributors alike.
“Jeff helped my voice shine with clarity and confidence. He understood what I was striving to express and brought it forward with such care and brilliance. His influence will accompany every word I write,” said The Rev. Dr. Liberato Bautista, Assistant General Secretary for United Nations and International Affairs.
Before joining Church and Society, Corey built a distinguished career leading communications for multinational companies in industries ranging from semiconductors and materials science to financial services and healthcare. He was also appointed to numerous non-profit boards addressing issues such as education disparity, racial equity, health care access, public communications and climate sustainability.
Corey was a man of faith, and it showed not only in his words but in his actions. Bishop Trimble recalls Jeff volunteering to lead devotions at the staff meeting only weeks before his passing.
“I experienced him as a wise voice for faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus and strident in our commitment to promote the Church’s message of transforming the world. His love for his family, his disdain for all the injustice and racism in our current geopolitical landscape, and his ability to make things better through team collaboration encouraged my leadership.”
In his final days, he was surrounded by the love of his family and friends. Corey is survived by his wife and his three children.
His memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Peoples Baptist Church, 830 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118.
This content was originally published by the General Board of Church and Society; republished with permission on ResourceUMC.org on July 20, 2026.