Hesston College will host Nehemiah “Nehemi” Chigoji of Upland, Calif., as pastor in residence March 19 to 21.

Chigoji, pastor of First Mennonite Church in Upland, brings experience working with diverse groups to the Hesston campus and wider community. His work includes ministering to an older Caucasian Mennonite congregation that has begun attracting young and ethnically diverse people from the neighborhood to the church. The congregation is also merging with an immigrant Indonesian congregation and shares worship space with a Spanish-speaking congregation.

Chigoji played professional soccer in Europe before being called to ministry. He has extensive cross-cultural experience, having lived in five countries on three continents. He is also involved as a Theme Planning Committee member for the 2013 Mennonite Church USA convention in Phoenix, Ariz.

As church leader in residence, Chigoji will connect with Hesston College students and local pastors. He will share his life story and work during chapel March 19 with “My Story: How God used sports, three continents and a mixed up marriage.” March 21 chapel will again feature Chigoji speaking on “How God can use your story to further His story.” Chapel is at 11 a.m. in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary and is open to the public.

Local pastors are invited to take part in a free Church-College Conversations with Chigoji and Hesston College President Howard Keim beginning at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 19. The schedule includes Hesston College chapel, lunch and discussion with Chigoji and a time to discuss and share about the Christian education of youth as they journey to adulthood led by President Keim. Pastors interested in attending the workshop should contact the Hesston College Church Relations office at 620-327-8109 or toll free at 866-437-7866.