Tell us about yourself
Tshishinen M. Chingej Rachel is my name. I was born in a small town called Sandoa, in Katanga province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I am married to Rev. Mulongo Mpoyo, who is also an ordained United Methodist Minister. God blessed us with two children and we adopted two other children. I love to spend more time with my family. 

My father was a United Methodist Pastor in South Congo Annual Conference and my mother was involved in women's ministries whenever they were appointed at any given parish. My grandparents were among the earliest United Methodist black pastors who worked with missionaries closely in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We constitute a family of nine of which two passed away, and I am the fourth child. 

I grew up in a Christian family where I started to learn about God since my childhood. My vocation has been nurtured through my involvement in church activities such as Sunday school, Youth Ministry, and Prayer Groups. One of the important things that I always recall in my mind is that; I was not involved in church activities to please my parents but this has always been an inner feeling I have been carrying with me since I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I felt in me a deep conviction that God called me to serve into the order of ordained ministry. 

What do you do as the Minister of Seniors?
My duty is to encourage and to give pastoral guidance to those who are 50 and over in our congregation, to participate in activities that foster spiritual growth and health, age-level educational pursuits, evangelistic outreach, and wholesome fellowship events. To promote strong focal points of need so that people may be involved in an area that interests them. I visit the seniors who are shut-in and need to keep connected with the church as they continue to live and I administer Holy Communion to them. 

What is the best part of your job?
I love to interact with seniors during my visitation time. According to my culture, seniors are considered a living library. They are like living great books that you can ask questions and find answers where you don't understand. This means interacting with seniors is very precious because speaking with them is getting in touch with the first source of the story directly. 

What do you think you would be doing right now if God had not called you to be in ministry?
Only God knows what I would be doing, where I would be and who I would be. 

What is your favorite food?
Bukari and fish

What is your favorite book?
The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict by the Arbinger Institute

What are your currently reading?
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl