By Gabby Christensen
The Newman Grove and Looking Glass United Methodist Churches have recently welcomed a new pastor, Abiba Alice Shomari, who has been serving both churches since the beginning of January.
Shomari, who will go by Pastor Alice, was born and raised in the small town of Kalemie in the Katanga province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa.
Shomari has been an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church since 2008.
She received a bachelor of divinity degree from Africa University, Mutare – Zimbabwe and a master of divinity degree, majoring in pastoral care and counseling and women theology, from Candler School of Theology, Emory University in Atlanta, GA.
She is married to Pastor Rodgers Chishiba, who is currently serving Pierce and Osmond UMCs, where the couple has resided for five years with their five sons: Aaron, age 17; Johnson, age 15; Rodgers Douglass Jr., age seven; and twins: Jephté and Japheth, age five.
Prior to coming to Nebraska, Shomari and her husband served the Shalom International Ministry, a new cross-cultural church founded by immigrants and refugees coming from different parts of the world, in the Clarkston community of Atlanta, GA.
Shomari has also served at various locations throughout Nebraska, including Plainview and Crawford –Valley, Winside and Stanton United Methodist churches.
In her spare time, Shomari enjoys watching movies and day time television shows. She also enjoys family time and vacations, cooking, watching her sons’ sports events, listening to Podcasts and gospel music, dancing and Jazzercising.
Shomari said she’s excited to share her culture with the Newman Grove people, while also learning more about them.
“I have been so touched by the community so far and all that they do locally to help people,” Shomari said. “I am excited to serve Newman Grove and look forward to connecting and building strong relationships with the people.”
