Snodgrass has served with NCM for the last seven years, currently as director of grants and programs for NCM, Inc. Her areas of expertise include international program strategy, grants and donor management, monitoring and evaluation, cross-cultural leadership, partnership & capacity building, curriculum and training development and strategic communications. Since 2021, Snodgrass has also been serving as an adjunct professor for Trevecca Nazarene University, teaching Contextualized Ministry in Changing Culture in the Christian ministry online degree program.

“Throughout my life, I have been driven by the example of our God who “moved into the neighborhood,” as Eugene Peterson puts it in The Message,” said Snodgrass. “As followers of Christ, we are called to live in the same way extending compassion to those around us. It starts with a simple “yes” to God and surrendering ourselves. This is another moment of surrender for me, one of many in my life. I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve the church in this capacity. I am thankful for the NCM team I’ve had the privilege of working with over the last 7 years and look forward to continuing this work together.”

Snodgrass grew up in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire, where her parents served as Nazarene missionaries for 10 years. She is fluent in French and earned her undergraduate degree in early childhood, elementary and special education from Samford University. She used her degree to serve children and families with special needs in public schools. Later, Snodgrass shifted careers and earned her master’s degree in international development from Eastern University.

“Snodgrass combines great experience within NCM itself and other compassionate settings, with missionary family experience as a missionary kid, and local church leadership alongside her husband Dr. Mark Snodgrass,” said Jim Ritchie, Global Missions director. “She has passion for Jesus, his church and his mission, and compassion for all. She is a true Kingdom leader.”

Lauren’s appointment is effective 1 October 2026. She follows Nell Becker-Sweeden, who has led NCM as director since 2016. Becker-Sweeden has accepted a role as the executive director of the Center for Justice & Reconciliation at Point Loma Nazarene University.

“I have had the privilege of working with Nell over the last 6 years, both when I served as Eurasia Regional Director and most recently when she has been part of my Global Missions leadership team,” said Ritchie. “She is a wonderful leader who combines Spirit-led insight, knowledge and experience, with a deep passion for Jesus, His church, and people. I am grateful for her and know that she will be a great blessing to the ministry of Point Loma Nazarene University.”

Lauren and her husband, Mark Snodgrass, have been in ministry for more than 24 years serving churches and communities in Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, Arkansas, and currently at Central Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas. They have two sons, Paul and Luke.