Rev. Nokuphiwa S. Langeni, a native of South Africa, joined the staff at Immanuel United Church of Christ in July 2011. Pastor Phiwa (pronounced PEE-wah) earned an Associate's in Business in Computer Networking & Communications (2000) from Lansing Community College in Lansing, Michigan, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Computer Science (2004) from Alma College in Alma, Michigan, and a Master of Science in Administration with a concentration in International Administration (2008) from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Most recently, she graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves, Missouri in May 2011. She was ordained at Evangelical United Church of Christ in Webster Groves, Missouri on September 18, 2011.
Before coming to Immanuel, Rev. Langeni served as sole pastor at two rural churches in Franklin County: St. John's United Church of Christ - Casco in Leslie, Missouri and St. John's United Church of Christ - Mantels in Washington, Missouri. She has also served as the Volunteer Coordinator of the Urban Mission Inn at Union Avenue Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri, the Youth Director at Evangelical United Church of Christ in Webster Groves, Missouri, and as an Intern at the Institute for Peace and Justice in Webster Groves, Missouri.
At Immanuel, some of Rev. Langeni's responsibilities include worship leadership (preaching at least once a calendar month), Monday evening Bible Study with Rev. Higgins, hospital and home visits, leading devotions for different groups, counseling, weddings, and funerals. She works and meets regularly with these committees of the church: Church Council, Evangelism, Parish Life, and Worship.
Rev. Langeni has a teenage daughter, Baphiwe (pronounced bah-PEE-way), who goes to school in Webster Groves. They both are members of Immanuel's Crescendo Ringers Bell Choir. Rev. Langeni enjoys walking with Pomegranate "Pom Pom" (their five-year-old Pomeranian mix dog), creating and listening to music, reading, writing, traveling, laughing, knitting, and graphic design.
