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Video report of the work in the Montana Conference, presented at the NPUC Constituency Session Aug. 23, 2026. Features 3 projects.
STORY OF THE MONTH
Barlow Named the New VP of Finance in the Montana Conference
Tissiana Bowerman
On September 14, 2026, the Montana Conference Board of Directors elected Laryssa Barlow to serve as Vice President of Finance. Conference leadership and the Board are pleased to welcome Laryssa into this new role and are grateful for the experience, dedication, and knowledge of the Montana Conference which she brings to the position. Laryssa succeeds Solomon Agdon, who left July 31 to begin serving in the Newfoundland Conference.
A fourth-generation Seventh-day Adventist, Laryssa was born in northern California. At age eight, she and her family began a two-year adventure traveling throughout the United States while her mother worked as a traveling nurse. Her father homeschooled her while also providing opportunities to explore the places they visited.
Laryssa later attended Caldwell Adventist Elementary in Caldwell, Idaho, and Mount Ellis Academy in Bozeman, Montana. She continued her education at Southern Adventist University, earning a Bachelor of Science in computer systems administration with a minor in religious studies.
After college, Laryssa fulfilled a longtime dream of spending a year abroad as a missionary. She traveled to South Korea, where she taught English and religion at the Adventist English Language Institute in Daejeon. The experience became a treasured part of her journey as she developed friendships with people from around the world and gave Bible studies to several students.
Upon returning to the United States, Laryssa worked for an intensive mental health outpatient program in Lincoln, Nebraska. She also volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters and was matched with a young girl in foster care. They spent time together weekly for nearly four years, developing a meaningful relationship.
In November 2013, Laryssa joined the Montana Conference as an administrative assistant. Five years later, the conference was facing a need in accounting and Laryssa stepped in to learn accounting processes and help keep the finance department operating. That unexpected opportunity began a new professional path. She became junior accountant in December 2019 and accountant in January 2024.
Laryssa continued developing her financial expertise, completing a Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting through Eastern Washington University in June 2025.
Looking back, she sees God’s guidance through the people and circumstances that prepared her for this responsibility. She is especially grateful for the mentorship of former vice presidents Erin Tungesvik and Solomon Agdon and former accountant Kristi Rich.
Laryssa enjoys calling Bozeman home, taking day trips to Yellowstone, hiking, camping, kayaking, biking, photography, and spending time with her two cats. As she begins this new chapter, the Montana Conference family is invited to join in welcoming Laryssa to her new role, praying for her as she takes on this responsibility and supporting her as she continues to serve God and the ministry of the Montana Conference in this new way.