REV. RACHAEL PRYOR (she/her)
CONFERENCE MINISTER
Mentored into ministry from childhood at Sylvania United Church of Christ in Northwest Ohio, Rachael’s call and vision are rooted in extravagant welcome, faithful generosity, and a commitment to advocacy and justice. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan and an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary. Rachael lived and worked in eastern Austria as an English teaching assistant through the Fulbright program for two years between college and seminary.
Before coming to the SCNC, Rachael served as Associate Conference Minister with the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference and as part of the Tri-Conference staff team in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. She also spent 7 years working with Kansas Interfaith Action: first as a board member and volunteer, then three years as Board Chair, followed by a staff role as Director of Engagement and Development. Rachael has served local congregations of the UCC and the ELCA in interim, transitional, and settled calls. She also has experience in campus ministry, in children and teen ministries, and with new church starts. She is a former participant with the UCC’s Next Generation Leadership Initiative (NGLI).
Along with her husband Adam, Rachael is parent to four young children. She enjoys cooking for friends, reading, cold weather, and travel to new places.
Email: pryor@scncucc.org
Office: (626) 798-8082
Mobile: (620) 504-2888
REV. DR. PHIWA LANGENI (they/he)
ASSOCIATE CONFERENCE MINISTER FOR EQUIPPING LEADERS
Originally from South Africa, Phiwa [pronounced PEE-wah] is passionate about helping people understand that different doesn’t have to be dangerous. Their work invites those aligned with the mainstream to reframe fear as something to interrogate, not inherit.
Their ministry spans a wide range of contexts, from rural multi-charge churches to a thriving progressive congregation, from a large suburban church to a new church start/nonprofit hybrid. In every setting, Phiwa brings warmth, insight, and a passion for equipping leaders to thrive in their unique calls.
Before ministry, Phiwa was (and still is!) a tech nerd. Today, that love of technology fuels their curiosity about algorithmic integrity, digital equity, and leveraging tools in service to the mission: faithful, just, and communal. Their approach is grounded in practical theology, innovation, and a deep reverence for the sacredness of human connection.
Phiwa is the solo parent of an adult daughter who challenges them in brilliance and beauty. In their free time, Phiwa enjoys reading, upcycling, 90s R&B, dad jokes, and creating all manner of things. Like vibranium in fictional Wakanda, creativity is inextricably woven into Phiwa’s existence, strength, and wisdom.
Email: langeni@scncucc.org
REV. ELLIS ARNOLD (they/them)
DESIGNATED TERM ASSOCIATE CONFERENCE MINISTER
Rev. Ellis Arnold is at heart a renewing church pastor, curriculum writer, community organizer, and all-around church nerd. After working as a chaplain in Atlanta, GA, Ellis served as a local church pastor in Decorah, IA where Ellis and the church found their gifts for creativity, radical hospitality, and innovation; their grounding in worship, love, and service; and their delight in developing new avenues for spiritual formation. With a desire to serve the Wider Church, Ellis served as one of the Associate Conference Ministers for the Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota Conferences of the UCC, where their energy was channeled into collaboration with Committees on Ministry and congregations who were striving to transform not just the three feet around them, but also their communities and the world into a more just, generous, liberated place. Contact Ellis via email.
REV. CHAD TANAKA PACK (he/him)
ASSOCIATE CONFERENCE MINISTER FOR BUILDING THE FUTURE (starting September 2025)
Chad is looking forward to working with the Conference on stewardship, financial sustainability, and legacy planning. Until September, Chad is serving as Controller at Inner City Law Center and Assistant Minister at First Congregational Church of Los Angeles.
Before discovering church, Chad worked on Wall Street, where he was a vice president at Goldman Sachs. After earning an M.Div. at Yale Divinity School, he served as Minister for Stewardship and Finance at Middle Collegiate Church in New York City. He has been licensed as a certified public accountant in New York.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Chad is fourth-generation Japanese and Korean American. He has served on boards of directors of several faith-based organizations striving for racial justice and LGBTQ+ equality. Chad loves sewing, birds, and Paris.
VIRGINIA ARROYO (she/her)
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Virginia has been with the Conference for over 37 years. Virginia’s portfolio also includes Search and Call administrative duties. She is the primary presence in our physical office, making Virginia one of the most recognizable faces in our Conference.
Email: arroyo@scncucc.org
Office: (626) 798-8082
MICHELLE “SHELLY” MENDEZ (she/her)
ACCOUNT CLERK
Shelly has been with the Conference since 2023. Shelly manages Conference bookkeeping functions and interfaces with internal and external partners.
Email: mendez@scncucc.org
Office: (626) 798-8082