Larissa Kwong Abazia

Rev. Larissa Kwong Abazia is an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). She earned her undergraduate degree at Rutgers University and M.Div. at Princeton Theological Seminary. Larissa's ministry started with a pastoral residency program at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. It was there that she learned and practiced the importance of active listening and reflection during moments of trauma and transition. She then moved to Chicago to serve as an associate pastor overseeing a Friday evening program for at risk LGBTQ youth as well as the young adult ministries of the church. Larissa has since served congregations throughout New Jersey as well as in Queens, NY and Greenwich, CT. She has also served as the Director of Church Relations at Princeton Theological Seminary.

Throughout her life and career, Larissa has been dedicated to racial and gender justice. She is interested in the ways that the church can faithfully live out its call to be a body that celebrates all of its members. This work brought her to denominational leadership in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), including serving as the Vice-Moderator to the 221st General Assembly, where she was able to challenge the current structures and assumptions of life together. Larissa is a regular speaker and preacher at conferences, retreats, meetings, and in congregations. She is the Coordinator for the Collective Foundation.