GREENVILLE, PA — The Rev. Dr. Andrea M. Ng’weshemi has been named campus pastor at Thiel College., effective Sept. 4.

Most recently, Ng’weshemi was the campus pastor and assistant professor of religion at Dana College, a sister Evangelical Lutheran Church in America-affiliated college, since 2000. He also served as campus pastor at Olive Harvey College and interim pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, both in Chicago, Ill., and chaplain at University of Dar es Salaam and parish pastor at Evangelical Lutheran Church, both in Tanzania.

Ng’weshemi earned a master’s of theology degree in 1996 and a Ph.D. in theology in 1999 from Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. He also holds a master’s of art in sociology and religion from the University of Dar es Salaam and a bachelor degree in theology from Makumira University College in Tanzania.

As the campus full-time pastor, Ng’weshemi will provide pastoral care and spiritual guidance for all members of the campus community. He will serve as worship leader, a resource to the entire community and a counselor for personal and spiritual matters.

“Pastor Ng’weshemi’s experience atana College makes him ideally suited to shepherd the Thiel College community’s religious life,” said Dr. Robert C. Olson ’60, president of Thiel College. “He is a gifted and dynamic pastor and preacher whose international background will bring a global, multicultural perspective to Thiel. We are thrilled to have him here.”

Ng’weshemi is a published author; his book , “Rediscovering the Human: The Quest for a Christo-Theological Anthropology in Africa” was released in 2002. He has authored numerous articles, many of which focus on global issues in Christianity. He is a member of the American Academy of Religion, the Association of Teaching Theologians (ECLA), the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians and the African Association for the Study of Religions.

Ng’weshemi and his wife, Spencioza, have three children and reside in Greenville.

Thiel College, located in Greenville, Pa., is a liberal arts, sciences and professional studies college related to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

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